NHS 111 can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you are not sure what to do. To get help from NHS 111 go to 111. nhs.uk or call 111.
- More information 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 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 short-lived stay in England, you can use a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) released by your home country to access health care.

You will require 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 health care, planned treatment, being flown back home, or lost or stolen residential or commercial property. We suggest that you also have travel or health insurance coverage that covers the period of your trip.

Emergency healthcare in England

This information is about getting health care in England.

The method you access healthcare in Scotland, Wales and could be different from England.

The NHS runs a residence-based health care system. This indicates visitors to England might have to spend for NHS health care, depending upon their circumstances.

Some services, such as mishap and emergency situation (A&E) and visits to a basic practitioner (GP), are complimentary to everybody.

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

Treatment, coverage & expenses

General Practice physicians (GPs)

- Medical care services, including treatment by a Family doctor (GP) is supplied totally free of charge by National Health Service (NHS) doctors (family doctors - GPs). Find a general doctor near you.
Dentists

- All NHS dental treatment that is scientifically required is offered at a basic non-refundable charge. Find a dental expert near you.
Hospital treatment (NHS)

- Apart from emergency situation care, healthcare facility treatment is arranged through your physician (GP), dental professional or optician. Most treatment at NHS health centers is totally free 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 supplied medical treatment totally free of charge. The card does not cover organized treatment.
Prescriptions

- You can get recommended medications from any drug store on discussion of a prescription. Find a drug store near you.
- Prescribed medicines are charged at a basic 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 used (such as costs for NHS dental professionals or prescription charges), these are not refundable in the UK.
- If you have to spend for care, call your national health insurance provider when you return home to look for reimbursement.


Patient contribution

- In the UK, treatment is most frequently complimentary of charge, but you should show your EHIC when accessing health care.
Standard charges that need to be paid by patients make an application for NHS dental experts.
- There is likewise a charge for prescriptions, in England just, which is payable at the pharmacy. Prescriptions in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales are complimentary of charge.


Dialysis, oxygen & chemotherapy

- Oxygen treatment and dialysis require to be set up with a health care service provider in advance of your remain in England.
Details of oxygen suppliers in England.
Details of kidney dialysis units


Doctors & health centers accepting the EHIC

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


Coverage for UK residents checking out the EU

If you are visiting 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 medically required treatment.

Differences between the offered cards

There are 2 types of cover offered for people insured by the UK. You can make an application for 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 a lot of people, the UK Global Medical 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 use your card to gain access to medically required state-provided healthcare when you're checking out an EU country.

Medically necessary health care implies healthcare that can not reasonably wait until you return to the UK. Whether treatment is necessary is decided by the healthcare service provider in the nation you're going to.

Further information on nations where your card is legitimate

If you have an existing EHIC

If you have an existing EHIC provided prior to the UK leaving the EU, it will remain valid till the expiry date on the card. You can get a brand-new card as much as 6 months before your present card expires.