Health Services: Foreign Nationals

The National Health Service is a residency-based system, so only those who are ‘ordinarily resident’ in the United Kingdom, or otherwise exempt from charges under the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2015 (the Charging Regulations), are eligible for free care.

Being ordinarily resident broadly means living here on a lawful and properly settled basis for the time being, with individuals subject to immigration control also requiring ‘indefinite leave to remain’ in the UK.

Patients who are not ordinarily resident or subject to another exemption under the Charging Regulations are legally required to be charged upfront, in full, for all treatment not regarded as urgent or immediately necessary. Overseas visitors accessing NHS care whilst here are expected to have insurance or funds to cover the cost of any treatment which may arise, as would be the same for UK residents visiting other countries.

Failure to pay NHS debt can lead to significant consequences for an overseas visitor. An outstanding NHS debt of £500 or more that has not been paid for two months must be reported to the Home Office. The Home Office can use this information to inform future immigration decisions.