Department of Health

Website of the Department of Health

Please note that this website has a UK government access keys system.

Overseas visitors

Guidance on charges for NHS treatment and exemptions for people visiting the UK. 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.

Latest updates

Pandemic flu

An amendment has been made to the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 1989, so that pandemic influenza is now included in the list of exempt from charge diseases.

New decision on victims of human trafficking

The Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings came into force on 1 April 2009. Victims of human trafficking are now exempt from NHS charges.

High court ruling on failed asylum seekers

Failed asylum seekers are no longer considered ordinarily resident in the UK and are not entitled to free NHS hospital treatment.

British citizens in Zimbabwe

The humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe continues to decline. The Government is offering assistance to resettle in the UK to older British people and younger adults with health and social care support needs.

Changes to reporting procedures of overseas visitors from the EEA

From 12 October 2009 the Department of Health will change the arrangements by which NHS Trusts should record and report treatments (including planned treatments) of visitors from the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.

Wherever possible, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) details of visitors from the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland who are provided with NHS treatment should be recorded and reported in order for the UK to claim back the costs of treatment.  E112 details are also necessary for the UK to claim back the cost of planned treatment. 

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

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