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 healthcare 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 checking out the UK from an EU nation and you fall ill or have a medical emergency situation during your momentary stay in England, you can use a legitimate European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provided by your home nation to gain access to health care.

You will require to bring your EHIC if you are eligible to utilize it in the UK.

The EHIC is not an option to take a trip insurance. 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 also have travel or medical insurance that covers the period of your trip.

Emergency healthcare in England

This information is about getting healthcare in England.

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

The NHS operates a residence-based health care system. This suggests visitors to England might have to pay for NHS health care, depending on their scenarios.

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

Urgent treatment or treatment that can not safely wait up until you leave the nation and return home will constantly be provided, and the matter of payment handled later on. Only a clinician can decide if your treatment is immediate or right away essential.

Treatment, coverage & costs

General Practice medical professionals (GPs)

- Primary care services, consisting of treatment by a General Practitioner (GP) is supplied complimentary of charge by National Health Service (NHS) doctors (general specialists - GPs). Find a general physician near you.


Dentists

- All NHS dental treatment that is scientifically essential is provided at a standard non-refundable charge. Find a dentist near you.


Hospital treatment (NHS)

- Apart from emergency care, health center treatment is set up through your physician (GP), dentist or optician. Most treatment at NHS healthcare facilities is totally free if you have a valid European Medical insurance Card (EHIC). Find a hospital near you.

- As a visitor with a legitimate card you are entitled to all medically needed state supplied medical treatment complimentary of charge. The card does not cover scheduled treatment.


Prescriptions

- You can get recommended medications from any pharmacy on discussion of a prescription. Find a pharmacy near you.

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


Ambulance

- Necessary ambulance transportation is free of charge.

Reimbursement

- In the UK, treatment is most typically totally free of charge, so there is no refund system.

- When standard charges are used (such as costs for NHS dental practitioners or prescription charges), these are not refundable in the UK.

- If you need to spend for care, contact your nationwide health insurance coverage company once you return home to look for compensation.

Patient contribution

- In the UK, treatment is usually totally free of charge, however you need to show your EHIC when accessing healthcare.

Standard charges that must be paid by patients get NHS dentists.

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

Dialysis, oxygen & chemotherapy

- Oxygen treatment and dialysis require to be set up with a health care company in advance of your remain in England.

Details of oxygen suppliers in England.

Details of renal dialysis units

Doctors & healthcare facilities accepting the EHIC

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

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

Coverage for UK citizens checking out the EU

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

Differences between the readily available cards

There are 2 types of cover offered for individuals guaranteed by the UK. You can obtain 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 people, the UK Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC) replaces the existing European Medical insurance Card (EHIC) for new applications.

Further information on how to look for an EHIC or GHIC

How to utilize your card

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

Medically required healthcare indicates health care that can not reasonably wait until you come back to the UK. Whether treatment is needed is chosen by the healthcare company in the nation you're checking out.

Further details on nations where your card stands

If you have an existing EHIC

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