Department Of Health
If a non-EU country or territory is not listed on this page, the UK does not have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with it.
Wherever youre travelling, make sure you have travel insurance that covers healthcare costs.
Visiting EU countries and Switzerland
There is separate guidance for visiting EU countries and Switzerland.
If youre a UK resident, you can use a UK-issued Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) - or in some cases European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) - to get free or discounted medical treatment when visiting an EU country.
If youre a UK resident who is a UK, Swiss or EU national or other eligible person, you can use a GHIC to get free or discounted medical treatment when visiting Switzerland.
You can find out more about accessing state healthcare in EU countries and Switzerland using a GHIC or EHIC on the NHS website.
COVID-19 travel advice
See the latest health advice for UK travellers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Reciprocal healthcare agreements outside the EU
The UK has reciprocal healthcare agreements with some non-EU countries. Within these countries, youll often be treated as if you were a resident of the country youre visiting.
Below we set out which non-EU countries the UK has reciprocal healthcare agreements with. For each country, we list:
- the documents youll need to prove entitlement to healthcare in the country
- what is covered
- what youll need to pay for
What documents youll need to show
Evidence required can vary depending on the specific agreement. This will usually seek to prove that the person is a UK citizen or a current resident of the country, and may include any of the following:
- passport
- driving licence
- proof of National Insurance enrolment - you can get this from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) (read more about your National Insurance number, including where to find it and how to show evidence that you have one)
- proof of NHS enrolment (for example, a hospital or GP letter showing your name and NHS number)
- utility bill
Some countries also accept a UK-issued GHIC or EHIC as evidence of entitlement to healthcare.
What youll be entitled to
Within the reciprocal agreements there are a number of variations in the level of free or discounted treatment visitors are entitled to. Generally, only immediate medical treatment is provided free of charge, to allow visitors to return home for other needs.
The agreements do not cover:
- the cost of returning you to the UK (repatriation)
- routine monitoring of pre-existing conditions
Medical services may also be more restricted than under the NHS. Make sure you have a valid private travel insurance policy when travelling to any country worldwide.
See foreign travel advice for additional health advice for all countries.
Anguilla
Documents youll need:
- evidence of UK residence, such as NHS enrolment or UK driving licence
- UK passport
What is covered:
- emergency medical treatment, including medicines
Ascension Island
Documents youll need:
- GHIC or UK-issued EHIC along with photo ID, such as passport
- if you dont have a GHIC or EHIC, other proof of UK residency is accepted, such as a bank statement, proof of NHS enrolment or utility bill
What is covered:
-
necessary healthcare treatment
-
where travel insurance is required as a condition of entry, Ascension will nevertheless provide necessary healthcare, where facilities are available, to a UK eligible person on the same terms as it would to an Ascension resident
More information:
This information only applies if youre expecting to stay in Ascension Island for less than 3 months.
You will not be covered if you travelled to Ascension Island for the purpose of receiving medical treatment.
Australia
Documents youll need:
- a UK passport with a valid Australian visa
- a GHIC or UK-issued EHIC
- if you dont have a GHIC or EHIC, other proofs of UK residency are accepted such as a bank statement or utility bill
How to enrol in Medicare:
The Australian government website has detailed information for UK visitors, including how to enrol in Medicare.
You must enrol at a local Medicare service centre either before or after your treatment.
What is partially covered:
- medically necessary treatment outside hospital
- medically necessary treatment as a public patient in a public hospital
- certain prescription medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) this scheme allows for the full or partial reimbursement of certain prescription medicines. A pharmacist will be able to tell you if your medicine is cheaper under the PBS system
What youll need to pay for:
- treatment at most doctors surgeries
- most prescribed medicines
- ambulance travel
- dental treatment
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Documents youll need:
- UK passport (if youre a UK resident, but not a UK national, youll need to show proof of National Insurance enrolment)
- if youre a national of Bosnia and Herzegovina living in the UK, youll need to show your Bosnian passport and proof of National Insurance enrolment
- if youre not a UK or Bosnian national, but are the dependant of someone who is, you should also show proof of National Insurance enrolment
What is covered:
- hospital treatment
- some dental treatment, on the same basis as that available to a local resident
- other medical treatment, on the same basis as that available to a local resident
What youll need to pay for:
- prescribed medicines
British Virgin Islands
Documents youll need:
- evidence of UK residence, such as NHS enrolment or UK driving licence
- UK passport
What is covered:
- emergency medical treatment, including medicines
Falkland Islands
Documents youll need:
- evidence of UK residence, such as NHS enrolment or National Insurance enrolment
What is covered:
- hospital treatment
- dental treatment
- other medical treatment
- prescribed medicines
- ambulance travel
Faroe Islands
Documents youll need:
- proof of identity, including proof of nationality and UK residence