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

- More information about accessing health care services in England

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

Using an EHIC in the UK

What you need to do

If you are going to the UK from an EU nation and you fall ill or have a medical emergency situation throughout your momentary remain in England, you can utilize a legitimate European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provided by your home nation to gain access to healthcare.

You will require to bring your EHIC if you are qualified to use it in the UK.

The EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance coverage. It will not cover any private medical health care, prepared treatment, being flown back home, or lost or taken residential or commercial property. We suggest that you likewise have travel or health insurance coverage that covers the duration of your trip.

Emergency healthcare in England

This details has to do with getting health care in England.

The way you access healthcare in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland could be different from England.

The NHS operates a residence-based health care system. This means visitors to England might have to spend for NHS health care, depending on their situations.

Some services, such as mishap and emergency situation (A&E) and check outs to a general specialist (GP), are free to everybody.

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

Treatment, coverage & costs

General Practice medical professionals (GPs)

- Primary care services, including treatment by a Family doctor (GP) is provided totally free of charge by National Health Service (NHS) medical professionals (general practitioners - GPs). Find a general doctor near you.


Dentists

- All NHS oral treatment that is medically needed is provided at a basic non-refundable charge. Find a dental expert near you.


Hospital treatment (NHS)

- Apart from emergency care, healthcare facility treatment is organized through your doctor (GP), dental expert or optician. Most treatment at NHS healthcare facilities is totally free if you have a valid European Medical insurance Card (EHIC). Find a medical facility near you.

- As a visitor with a valid card you are entitled to all medically essential state provided medical treatment complimentary of charge. The card does not cover planned treatment.


Prescriptions

- You can get prescribed medicines from any drug store on presentation of a prescription. Find a pharmacy near you.

- Prescribed medicines are charged at a standard non-refundable prescription rate.


Ambulance

- Necessary ambulance transport is complimentary of charge.

Reimbursement

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

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

- If you have to pay for care, call your nationwide medical insurance company once you return home to seek reimbursement.

Patient contribution

- In the UK, treatment is usually complimentary of charge, however you must reveal your EHIC when accessing health care.

Standard charges that must be paid by clients look for NHS dental practitioners.

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

Dialysis, oxygen & chemotherapy

- Oxygen therapy and dialysis need to be set up with a health care company in advance of your stay in England.

Details of oxygen providers in England.

Details of renal dialysis systems

Doctors & medical facilities accepting the EHIC

- Most treatments at NHS healthcare facilities are complimentary if you have a valid European Medical insurance Card (EHIC). Find a hospital near you or find a general medical professional (GP) near you

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

Coverage for UK residents going to the EU

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

Differences between the available cards

There are 2 types of cover available for people guaranteed by the UK. You can look for either:

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

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


For most individuals, the UK Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC) replaces the existing European Medical insurance Card (EHIC) for brand-new applications.

Further information on how to get an EHIC or GHIC

How to utilize your card

You can use your card to access medically essential state-provided healthcare when you're checking out an EU nation.

Medically essential healthcare suggests healthcare that can not reasonably wait until you return to the UK. Whether treatment is required is decided by the health care company in the country you're checking out.

Further details on nations where your card is valid

If you have an existing EHIC

If you have an existing EHIC issued prior to the UK leaving the EU, it will remain valid up until the expiry date on the card. You can get a new card approximately 6 months before your existing card ends.