NHS 111 can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you are unsure what to do. To get assist from NHS 111 go to 111. nhs.uk or call 111.
- More details about accessing healthcare services in England
- More details 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 country and you fall ill or have a medical emergency throughout your temporary stay in England, you can utilize a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provided by your home nation to access health care.

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

The EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance coverage. It will not cover any personal medical health care, prepared treatment, being flown back home, or lost or stolen home. We suggest that you also have travel or health insurance that covers the duration of your journey.

Emergency health care 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 operates a residence-based healthcare system. This implies visitors to England may have to spend for NHS health care, depending on their scenarios.

Some services, such as accident and emergency (A&E) and visits to a family doctor (GP), are free to everybody.

Urgent treatment or treatment that can not securely wait till you leave the nation 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 urgent or instantly required.

Treatment, coverage & expenses

General Practice doctors (GPs)

- Primary care services, including treatment by a General Practitioner (GP) is supplied complimentary of charge by National Health Service (NHS) physicians (family doctors - GPs). Find a general medical professional near you.
Dentists

- All NHS oral treatment that is clinically required is offered at a standard non-refundable charge. Find a dental professional near you.
Hospital treatment (NHS)

- Apart from emergency care, health center treatment is set up through your medical professional (GP), dental professional or optician. Most treatment at NHS health centers is complimentary if you have a valid European Medical insurance Card (EHIC). Find a health center near you.
- As a visitor with a legitimate card you are entitled to all clinically essential state provided medical treatment complimentary of charge. The card does not cover planned treatment.
Prescriptions

- You can get prescribed medications from any pharmacy on presentation 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 frequently totally free of charge, so there is no refund system.
- When standard charges are applied (such as charges for NHS dentists or prescription charges), these are not refundable in the UK.
- If you need to pay for care, contact your national medical insurance provider when you return home to look for compensation.


Patient contribution

- In the UK, treatment is usually complimentary of charge, but you need to reveal your EHIC when accessing health care.
Standard charges that must be paid by clients look for NHS dentists.
- There is also a charge for prescriptions, in England only, which is payable at the drug store. Prescriptions in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales are totally free of charge.


Dialysis, oxygen & chemotherapy

- Oxygen therapy and dialysis require to be set up with a healthcare supplier in advance of your stay in England.
Details of oxygen suppliers in England.
Details of kidney dialysis units


Doctors & medical facilities accepting the EHIC

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


Coverage for UK homeowners going to the EU

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

Differences between the available cards

There are 2 types of cover readily available for people guaranteed by the UK. You can make an application for either:

- a UK Global Health 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 Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC) replaces the existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for brand-new applications.

Further information on how to apply for an EHIC or GHIC

How to use your card

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

Medically required healthcare means healthcare that can not fairly wait up until you come back to the UK. Whether treatment is essential is decided by the health care company in the country you're checking out.

Further information 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 stay valid up until the expiry date on the card. You can make an application for a new card up to 6 months before your existing card expires.