Department of Health

Website of the Department of Health

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Overseas visitors

Information and guidance on charges for NHS treatment, and exemptions, for people visiting the UK.

Guidance on eligibility for free hospital treatment under the NHS

Are you visiting the United Kingdom? Have you been living outside the UK for more than 3 months? Did you know that you may have to pay for hospital treatment whilst here? Hospital treatment is free to people who ordinarily live in the United Kingdom (UK). If you do not normally live here then you may be required to pay for any treatment you might need. This is regardless of whether you are a British citizen or have lived or worked here in the past.

PLEASE NOTE: THESE PAGES ARE FOR GUIDANCE ONLY

NHS trusts have a legal obligation to identify and charge those people not entitled to free NHS hospital treatment. They will make their decision in accordance with the Regulations.

Recent news

Notification of changes - Advice on civil partnerships, and on residence rights of persons from the accession countries

Published: 30/04/2007

Some changes in legislation and/or advice from other Government departments have taken place over recent months which affect the operation of the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 1989, as amended, relating to civil partners and the residence rights of persons from EU accession countries.

EU enlargement and overseas visitors' rights to primary care treatment in the UK

Published: 13/12/2006

Guidance on the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU, and on overseas visitors' rights to primary care treatment under European and other reciprocal healthcare agreements.

Dealing with British nationals coming to the UK following evacuation from Lebanon

Published: 25/07/2006

Dealing with British nationals coming to the UK following evacuation from Lebanon The Department of Health's advice is that British Nationals who have been evacuated from Lebanon can be classed as exempt from healthcare charges and should not be asked to pay for any hospital treatment they may require.

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