NHS care for overseas visitors

Not everyone can get free NHS care.

You may need to pay for your care if you are not a UK resident. This includes if you have been a UK resident in the past.

In most cases, you must pay for your treatment first.

We may write, email, or call you to check that you can get free NHS care.

We will ask you to send us evidence that:

• you are ordinarily resident of the UK or
• you are a visitor who does not need to pay for NHS treatment.

We base your assessment on your residency status in the UK. We do not look at your nationality.

You can show these documents to show you can get free NHS care:

• current signed passport
• residence permit issued by UK Border Agency
• asylum registration card (ARC)
• EU or national identity card for a country with a healthcare agreement with the UK
• valid armed forces or police identity card.

We may ask you to prove that you can access free NHS care at any time.

Proof of address

Your proof of address must:

• include your name and current living address
• have a date within the last six months
• be the original versions.

You can use a:

• recent utility bill like gas, electric, water, or telephone (not a mobile phone bill)
• council tax bill for the current year
• bank, building society, or credit union statement or passbook
• payslip or work contract
• current council, or housing association rent book or tenancy agreement
• letter from the Department for Work and Pensions showing your benefits or state pension.

Pay for your NHS care as an overseas visitor

Call or email if you'd like to pay another way. We take bank transfer or cash.

Some types of care or treatment are free for everyone. Find out which services are free for visitors at nhs.uk:

• Visitors from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland
• Visitors from outside the European Economic Area (EEA).

Services include:

• emergency department or urgent treatment centre services (not including emergency care if you're already in hospital)
• family planning services (not including abortion or fertility treatment)
• treatment for most infectious diseases (including sexually transmitted infections)
• treatment needed for conditions caused by torture or sexual violence.

Remember, you will be charged for:

• ongoing or further planned care
• prescriptions (medicine)
• dentistry services
• or other services.

Find out how to access NHS care if you're visiting from abroad.

Visitors who do not pay for NHS treatment

Some visitors can get free NHS care, depending on your circumstances and where you normally live. See if you can get free NHS care at nhs.uk.

Speak to us if you have any questions about your payment or assessment:

• email our overseas visitor team
• call us on 020 869 2540.

Please include:

• your full name
• your invoice number or account number if you have one
• your hospital or NHS number.