NHS 111 can assist if you have an urgent medical issue and you are unsure what to do. To get help from NHS 111 go to 111. nhs.uk or call 111.
- More info about accessing healthcare services in England
- More info 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 situation during your short-term stay in England, you can use a legitimate European Medical insurance Card (EHIC) provided by your home nation to gain access to healthcare.

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

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

Emergency healthcare in England

This info has to do with getting healthcare in England.

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

The NHS runs a residence-based healthcare system. This means visitors to England may need to pay for NHS health care, depending upon their situations.

Some services, such as mishap and emergency (A&E) and check outs to a basic professional (GP), are totally free to everybody.

Urgent treatment or treatment that can not securely wait until you leave the country and return home will always be supplied, and the matter of payment handled later on. Only a clinician can choose if your treatment is urgent or instantly necessary.

Treatment, coverage & expenses

General Practice medical professionals (GPs)

- Primary care services, including treatment by a General Practitioner (GP) is supplied free of charge by National Health Service (NHS) medical professionals (general practitioners - GPs). Find a basic medical professional near you.
Dentists

- All NHS dental treatment that is medically needed is supplied at a basic non-refundable charge. Find a dental practitioner near you.
Hospital treatment (NHS)

- Apart from emergency care, health center treatment is organized through your physician (GP), dentist or optician. Most treatment at NHS health centers is totally free if you have a legitimate European Medical insurance Card (EHIC). Find a healthcare 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 recommended medications from any drug store on discussion of a prescription. Find a drug store near you.
- Prescribed medications are charged at a standard non-refundable prescription rate.
Ambulance

- Necessary ambulance transportation is totally free of charge.


Reimbursement

- In the UK, treatment is most frequently totally free of charge, so there is no refund system.
- When standard charges are used (such as fees for NHS dentists or prescription charges), these are not refundable in the UK.
- If you need to pay for care, your national medical insurance supplier once you return home to seek repayment.


Patient contribution

- In the UK, treatment is usually totally free of charge, but you need to show your EHIC when accessing healthcare.
Standard charges that must be paid by patients make an application for NHS dental practitioners.
- There is likewise a charge for prescriptions, in England only, which is payable at the pharmacy. Prescriptions in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales are free of charge.


Dialysis, oxygen & chemotherapy

- Oxygen therapy and dialysis require to be organized with a health care company in advance of your stay in England.
Details of oxygen providers in England.
Details of kidney dialysis systems


Doctors & healthcare facilities accepting the EHIC

- Most treatments at NHS healthcare facilities are free if you have a legitimate European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Find a healthcare facility near you or find a basic doctor (GP) near you
- More information about accessing NHS services in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.


Coverage for UK citizens visiting 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 medically essential treatment.

Differences between the available cards

There are 2 kinds of cover available for individuals insured by the UK. You can request 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 many people, the UK Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC) replaces the existing European Medical insurance Card (EHIC) for new applications.

Further info on how to apply for an EHIC or GHIC

How to utilize your card

You can utilize your card to gain access to medically needed state-provided health care when you're checking out an EU country.

Medically necessary healthcare indicates healthcare that can not fairly wait up until you return to the UK. Whether treatment is needed is chosen by the health care company in the country you're going to.

Further info on nations where your card is legitimate

If you have an existing EHIC

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