NHS 111 can help 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 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 visiting the UK from an EU country and you fall ill or have a medical emergency situation during your short-lived stay in England, you can use a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provided by your home country to gain access to health care.

You will need 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 personal medical health care, prepared treatment, being flown back home, or lost or stolen property. We recommend that you also have travel or medical insurance that covers the duration of your trip.

Emergency health care in England

This details is about getting health care in England.

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

The NHS operates a residence-based healthcare system. This means visitors to England might need to pay for NHS healthcare, depending upon their circumstances.

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

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

Treatment, protection & expenses

General Practice medical professionals (GPs)

- Primary care services, including treatment by a Family doctor (GP) is provided free 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 scientifically essential is supplied at a basic non-refundable charge. Find a dental practitioner near you.
Hospital treatment (NHS)

- Apart from emergency care, medical facility treatment is organized through your doctor (GP), dentist or optician. Most treatment at NHS health centers is complimentary if you have a legitimate European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Find a hospital near you.
- As a visitor with a valid card you are entitled to all scientifically essential state offered medical treatment totally free of charge. The card does not cover planned treatment.
Prescriptions

- You can get prescribed medications from any pharmacy on discussion of a prescription. Find a pharmacy near you.
- Prescribed medicines are charged at a basic non-refundable prescription rate.
Ambulance

- Necessary ambulance transportation is free of charge.


Reimbursement

- In the UK, treatment is frequently totally free of charge, so there is no refund system.
- When standard charges are applied (such as fees for NHS dental experts or prescription charges), these are not refundable in the UK.
- If you have to pay for care, call your nationwide health insurance coverage when you return home to seek reimbursement.


Patient contribution

- In the UK, treatment is usually totally free of charge, however you must reveal your EHIC when accessing healthcare.
Standard charges that need to be paid by patients make an application for NHS dental professionals.
- There is also a charge for prescriptions, in England just, which is payable at the drug store. Prescriptions in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales are complimentary of charge.


Dialysis, oxygen & chemotherapy

- Oxygen therapy and dialysis need to be arranged with a health care supplier in advance of your stay in England.
Details of oxygen providers in England.
Details of renal dialysis units


Doctors & health centers accepting the EHIC

- Most treatments at NHS hospitals are complimentary if you have a valid European Medical insurance Card (EHIC). Find a health center near you or find a general medical professional (GP) near you
- More info about accessing NHS services in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.


Coverage for UK homeowners checking out 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 access clinically essential treatment.

Differences between the offered cards

There are 2 types of cover available for individuals guaranteed by the UK. You can request either:

- a UK Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC).
- a UK European Medical 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 new applications.

Further details on how to look for an EHIC or GHIC

How to use your card

You can use your card to gain access to medically necessary state-provided healthcare when you're going to an EU nation.

Medically essential healthcare indicates health care that can not reasonably wait up until you return to the UK. Whether treatment is essential is chosen by the doctor in the nation you're visiting.

Further information on nations 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 stay legitimate until the expiration date on the card. You can obtain a new card as much as 6 months before your present card ends.