NHS 111 can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you are uncertain what to do. To get help from NHS 111 go to 111. nhs.uk or call 111.

- More details about accessing health care services in England

- More information about accessing NHS services in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Using an EHIC in the UK

What you require to do

If you are visiting the UK from an EU country and you fall ill or have a medical emergency throughout your temporary stay in England, you can utilize a legitimate European Medical insurance Card (EHIC) provided by your home country to gain access to health care.

You will need to bring your EHIC if you are eligible to use it in the UK.

The EHIC is not an alternative to take a trip insurance coverage. It will not cover any private medical healthcare, planned treatment, being flown back home, or lost or stolen residential or commercial property. We suggest that you also have travel or medical insurance that covers the duration of your trip.

Emergency health care in England

This details is about getting health care in England.

The way you access health care in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland might be various from England.

The NHS runs a residence-based health care system. This suggests visitors to England might need to pay for NHS healthcare, depending upon their scenarios.

Some services, such as accident and emergency situation (A&E) and sees to a basic specialist (GP), are totally free to everybody.

Urgent treatment or treatment that can not securely wait up until you leave the country and return home will always be offered, and the matter of payment dealt with later on. Only a clinician can choose if your treatment is urgent or right away required.

Treatment, coverage & expenses

General Practice physicians (GPs)

- Primary care services, consisting of treatment by a General Practitioner (GP) is offered totally free of charge by National Health Service (NHS) physicians (family doctors - GPs). Find a general physician near you.


Dentists

- All NHS oral treatment that is medically required is provided at a standard non-refundable charge. Find a dental professional near you.


Hospital treatment (NHS)

- Apart from emergency situation care, health center treatment is set up through your doctor (GP), dental practitioner or optician. Most treatment at NHS health centers is complimentary if you have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Find a hospital near you.

- As a visitor with a valid card you are entitled to all clinically essential state provided medical treatment totally free of charge. The card does not cover scheduled treatment.


Prescriptions

- You can get recommended medicines from any drug store on discussion of a prescription. Find a drug store near you.

- Prescribed medications are charged at a basic non-refundable prescription rate.


Ambulance

- Necessary ambulance transport is complimentary of charge.

Reimbursement

- In the UK, treatment is frequently complimentary of charge, so there is no refund system.

- When basic charges are applied (such as fees for NHS dental professionals or prescription charges), these are not refundable in the UK.

- If you have to pay for care, contact your nationwide medical insurance provider as soon as you return home to seek reimbursement.

Patient contribution

- In the UK, treatment is most typically free of charge, however you should show your EHIC when accessing healthcare.

Standard charges that need to be paid by patients look for NHS dental practitioners.

- There is likewise a charge for prescriptions, in England only, which is payable at the drug store. Prescriptions in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales are free of charge.

Dialysis, oxygen & chemotherapy

- Oxygen treatment and dialysis need to be organized with a health care provider in advance of your remain in England.

Details of oxygen providers in England.

Details of renal dialysis units

Doctors & healthcare facilities accepting the EHIC

- Most treatments at NHS health centers are free if you have a legitimate European Medical insurance Card (EHIC). Find a medical facility near you or find a basic physician (GP) near you

- More info about accessing NHS services in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Coverage for UK residents visiting the EU

If you are checking out an EU Member State from the UK, you can utilize a UK Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC) or a UK European Health Insurance Card (UK EHIC) to gain access to clinically needed treatment.

Differences between the readily available cards

There are 2 types of cover offered for people insured by the UK. You can obtain either:

- a UK Global Medical Insurance Card (UK GHIC).

- a UK European Health Insurance Card (UK EHIC), if you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.


For the majority of people, the UK Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC) changes the existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for new applications.

Further information on how to request an EHIC or GHIC

How to utilize your card

You can use your card to access medically required state-provided health care when you're going to an EU country.

Medically needed health care implies health care that can not reasonably wait till you return to the UK. Whether treatment is needed is decided by the doctor in the country you're going to.

Further info on countries where your card is valid

If you have an existing EHIC

If you have an existing EHIC provided prior to the UK leaving the EU, it will stay valid up until the expiry date on the card. You can use for a brand-new card as much as 6 months before your current card ends.