NHS 111 can help if you have an urgent medical problem 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 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 require to do

If you are going to the UK from an EU country and you fall ill or have a medical emergency situation throughout your short-lived stay in England, you can utilize a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) released by your home nation to access health care.

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

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

Emergency healthcare in England

This info has to do with getting healthcare in England.

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

The NHS runs a residence-based healthcare system. This implies visitors to England might need to spend for NHS healthcare, depending upon their scenarios.

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

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

Treatment, protection & expenses

General Practice medical professionals (GPs)

- Primary care services, consisting of treatment by a General Practitioner (GP) is provided complimentary of charge by National Health Service (NHS) doctors (family doctors - GPs). Find a basic doctor near you.


Dentists

- All NHS oral treatment that is clinically necessary is provided at a standard non-refundable charge. Find a dental practitioner near you.


Hospital treatment (NHS)

- Apart from emergency situation care, hospital treatment is set up through your physician (GP), dental expert or optician. Most treatment at NHS medical facilities is totally free if you have a legitimate European Medical insurance Card (EHIC). Find a hospital near you.

- As a visitor with a legitimate card you are entitled to all clinically required state offered medical treatment totally free of charge. The card does not cover planned treatment.


Prescriptions

- You can get prescribed medications from any drug store 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 totally free of charge.

Reimbursement

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

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

- If you have to spend for care, contact your national health insurance coverage company as soon as you return home to look for compensation.

Patient contribution

- In the UK, treatment is frequently totally free of charge, but you must show your EHIC when accessing health care.

Standard charges that must be paid by patients apply for NHS dental practitioners.

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

Dialysis, oxygen & chemotherapy

- Oxygen therapy and dialysis need to be organized with a healthcare service provider in advance of your stay in England.

Details of oxygen providers in England.

Details of kidney dialysis units

Doctors & healthcare facilities accepting the EHIC

- Most treatments at NHS hospitals are totally free if you have a legitimate European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Find a medical facility near you or find a basic doctor (GP) near you

- More details 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 Medical Insurance Card (UK GHIC) or a UK European Medical Insurance Card (UK EHIC) to access medically necessary treatment.

Differences in between the available cards

There are 2 types of cover available for people insured by the UK. You can look 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 many people, the UK Global Medical Insurance Card (UK GHIC) replaces the existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for brand-new applications.

Further information on how to look for an EHIC or GHIC

How to use your card

You can utilize your card to access medically necessary state-provided health care when you're going to an EU nation.

Medically required healthcare indicates healthcare that can not fairly wait until you return to the UK. Whether treatment is necessary is chosen by the health care provider in the nation you're going to.

Further info on countries where your card stands

If you have an existing EHIC

If you have an existing EHIC issued prior to the UK leaving the EU, it will remain valid till the expiration date on the card. You can make an application for a brand-new card up to 6 months before your current card ends.