How to get medical help in England on a visitor visa

Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026

Visitors can seek medical help. In England, charges depend on the service and any applicable exemption, rather than simply having an NHS number. This article describes England; check the separate rules elsewhere in the UK.

Choose a service by urgency

Call 999 for a life-threatening emergency. For urgent help that is not life-threatening, contact NHS 111. A pharmacist can help with many minor illnesses; 111 can also identify an appropriate urgent care service. Do not delay assessment of dangerous symptoms because you are unsure about charges. NHS: care for overseas visitors ↗.

For a routine problem, ask a local practice to accept you as a temporary NHS patient. This option applies to a stay in the area lasting more than 24 hours and less than three months. Establish whether the offered appointment is NHS or private.

Separate GP care from hospital care

NHS GP consultations in primary care are free regardless of immigration status. Registration alone does not establish entitlement to free hospital treatment. Prescriptions, dentistry and sight tests have separate charging rules. GOV.UK: NHS entitlements ↗.

A&E services are exempt from hospital charges, but subsequent admission and some follow-up appointments may be chargeable. Do not assume everything following an A&E attendance is free.

Establish any exemption

For planned referral, contact the hospital's overseas visitors team. Prepare evidence of lawful presence, usual residence, applicable reciprocal healthcare cover or another exemption. Some groups and treatments are exempt; assessment depends on individual circumstances.

Chargeable NHS hospital care is billed at 150% of the relevant NHS tariff. Immediately necessary or urgent treatment must not be delayed for lack of advance payment, although a bill may follow. GOV.UK: hospital treatment ↗.

Agree expenses with your insurer

Travel insurance and ordinary UK private medical insurance have different terms. Check authorisation requirements, exclusions for existing conditions, excesses and who pays the bill initially. Retain prescriptions, invoices and the discharge summary.

If a bill appears wrong, request a written breakdown and reassessment by the overseas visitors team. Ask why you were considered chargeable and supply missing evidence. A GP referral or previous UK tax payments do not themselves settle entitlement.