UK reciprocal healthcare agreements with non-EU countries
How UK citizens or residents can get healthcare when visiting countries or territories outside the EU where the UK has reciprocal healthcare agreements.
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 you’re 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 you’re 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 you’re 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, you’ll often be treated as if you were a resident of the country you’re visiting.
Below we set out which non-EU countries the UK has reciprocal healthcare agreements with. For each country, we list:
- the documents you’ll need to prove entitlement to healthcare in the country
- what is covered
- what you’ll need to pay for
What documents you’ll 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 you’ll 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 you’ll 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 you’ll need:
- GHIC or UK-issued EHIC along with photo ID, such as passport
- if you don’t 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:
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necessary healthcare treatment
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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 you’re 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 you’ll need:
- a UK passport with a valid Australian visa
- a GHIC or UK-issued EHIC
- if you don’t 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 you’ll need to pay for:
- treatment at most doctors’ surgeries
- most prescribed medicines
- ambulance travel
- dental treatment
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Documents you’ll need:
- UK passport (if you’re a UK resident, but not a UK national, you’ll need to show proof of National Insurance enrolment)
- if you’re a national of Bosnia and Herzegovina living in the UK, you’ll need to show your Bosnian passport and proof of National Insurance enrolment
- if you’re 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 you’ll need to pay for:
- prescribed medicines
British Virgin Islands
Documents you’ll 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 you’ll 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 you’ll need:
- proof of identity, including proof of nationality and UK residence
What is covered:
As a non-EU member, the GHIC scheme is not directly applicable for use in the Faroe Islands.
However, the UK has a reciprocal agreement with the Faroe Islands under which British residents can receive medical treatment equivalent to that which a GHIC would offer.
Gibraltar
Documents you’ll need:
- UK passport
- EHIC or UK GHIC
What is covered:
- GPs, medical care and dental treatment under the local medical scheme are available at the primary care medical centre
What you’ll need to pay for:
- small charge for each item of medicine prescribed under the medical scheme
- private dental treatment
- nominal fee for limited emergency services at the primary care medical centre
More information
This information only applies if you’re staying for less than 30 days.
You are not covered if you go to Gibraltar specifically to be treated for a condition that started when you were elsewhere – for example, in Spain.
Guernsey
Documents you’ll need:
- GHIC, UK-issued EHIC or proof of residence in the UK
What is covered:
- medically necessary treatment
What you’ll need to pay for:
- anything you would expect to pay for in the UK, such as prescriptions
- any private medical treatment
More information
This information only applies if you’re expecting to stay in Guernsey for 6 months or less.
To be covered by your GHIC, you must seek medical treatment from a state hospital or other recognised provider. The States of Guernsey government website has details of recognised providers in Guernsey.
You will not be covered if you travelled to Guernsey for the purpose of receiving healthcare.
Isle of Man
Documents you’ll need:
- proof of UK residence
What is covered:
- urgent treatment
What you’ll need to pay for:
- dental treatment and prescribed medicines
More information
This information only applies if you’re staying for less than 3 months.
Israel
There is also a limited agreement with Israel that just provides healthcare in the case of industrial accidents for a person entitled to receive industrial injuries benefits.
The agreement does not extend to a wider reciprocal healthcare cover and only applies in rare circumstances.
Jersey
Documents you’ll need:
- proof of UK residence
What is covered:
- urgent treatment
What you’ll need to pay for:
- dental treatment and prescribed medicines
More information
This information only applies if you’re staying for less than 3 months.
Kosovo
Documents you’ll need:
- UK passport (if you’re a UK resident, but not a UK national, you’ll need to show proof of National Insurance enrolment)
- if you’re a national of Kosovo living in the UK, you’ll need to show your Kosovan passport and enrolment
- if you’re not a UK or Kosovan national, but are the dependant of someone who is, you should also prove 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 you’ll need to pay for:
- prescribed medicines
North Macedonia
Documents you’ll need:
- UK passport (if you’re a UK resident, but not a UK national, you’ll need to show proof of National Insurance enrolment)
- if you’re a national of North Macedonia living in the UK, you’ll need to show your North Macedonian passport and proof of National Insurance enrolment
- if you’re not a UK or North Macedonian national, but are the dependant of someone who is, you should also prove National Insurance enrolment
What is covered:
- emergency hospital treatment
- some emergency dental treatment, on the same basis as that available to a local resident
- other emergency medical treatment, on the same basis as that available to a local resident
What you’ll need to pay for:
- prescribed medicines
- non-emergency treatment
Montenegro
Documents you’ll need:
- a valid GHIC or EHIC
If you do not have your GHIC or EHIC with you, and you are a UK national, you may also be able to show your UK passport to access healthcare.
If you are a resident in the UK but are not a UK national
You will need both:
- your passport
- your valid GHIC or UK-issued EHIC
If you do not have your valid GHIC or UK-issued EHIC with you, contact NHS Business Services Authority on 0191 279 0575 or visit Applying for healthcare cover abroad (GHIC and EHIC).
How to get emergency treatment
If you need emergency treatment in Montenegro, you must present a hospital certificate (bolnički list). This allows you to receive emergency treatment in state medical facilities without being charged.
To get a certificate you, or another person on your behalf, will need to take your identification documents to the local branch of the Health Insurance Fund of Montenegro (Fond za zdravstveno osiguranje – FZZO). Each city in Montenegro has a health fund office.
You can get the certificate at any time while you are receiving treatment. It must be shown to the relevant facility during the treatment period, otherwise you will be charged. You will not be able to get the certificate after you have been discharged.
What is covered:
- emergency treatment only
What you’ll need to pay for:
- other medical treatment
- prescribed medicines
Montserrat
Documents you’ll need:
- evidence of UK residence, such as NHS enrolment or UK driving licence
- UK passport
What is covered:
- emergency medical treatment, including medicines
New Zealand
Documents you’ll need:
- UK passport
- evidence of UK residence
What is covered:
- necessary dental treatment for people aged under 19
- emergency medical treatment in a public hospital
What you’ll need to pay for:
- prescribed medicines
- dental treatment (unless you’re under 19)
St Helena
Documents you’ll need:
- evidence of UK residence, such as an NHS enrolment or UK driving licence
- UK passport
What is covered:
- Emergency medical treatment, including medicines
Serbia
Documents you’ll need:
- UK passport (if you’re a UK resident, but not a UK national, you’ll need to show proof of National Insurance enrolment)
- if you’re a national of Serbia living in the UK, you’ll need to show your Serbian passport and proof of National Insurance enrolment
- if you’re not a UK or Serbian national, but are the dependant of someone who is, you should also prove National Insurance enrolment
What is covered:
- hospital treatment
- some dental treatment and
- other medical treatment
What you’ll need to pay for:
- prescribed medicines
Tristan da Cunha
Documents you’ll need:
- GHIC or UK-issued EHIC along with photo ID, such as passport
- if you don’t 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, Tristan da Cunha will nevertheless provide necessary healthcare, where facilities are available, to a UK eligible person on the same terms as it would to a Tristan da Cunha resident
More information:
This information only applies if you’re expecting to stay in Tristan da Cunha for less than 6 months.
You will not be covered if you travelled to Tristan da Cunha for the purpose of receiving medical treatment.
Turks and Caicos Islands
Documents you’ll need:
- evidence of UK residence, such as NHS enrolment or UK driving licence
- UK passport
What is covered:
- Emergency medical treatment, including medicines
Grand Turk Island:
- dental treatment (at dental clinics only)
- prescribed medicines
- ambulance travel
Outer islands:
- medical treatment at government clinics
- prescribed medicines
What you’ll need to pay for:
Grand Turk Island:
- hospital inpatient treatment
- other medical treatment
- treatment at the town clinic
If you live or are planning to move abroad
Read the living in country guides to get advice for UK nationals living abroad, including residency, health and benefits.
Updates to this page
Published 1 July 2021Last updated 27 March 2024 + show all updates
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Added information on the new reciprocal healthcare arrangements with Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha.
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Removed out of date section: 'Guidance for the EEA EFTA states (Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland)'.
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Information on the new reciprocal healthcare agreement with Guernsey added
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The Australia section has been updated to highlight that the GHIC can be used to prove entitlement to healthcare and that the agreement with Australia also allows for the reimbursement or partial reimbursement of certain prescription medicines.
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Information on accessing emergency healthcare in Montenegro without being charged has been added.
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UK nationals visiting Montenegro need to show a valid Global Health Insurance Card or European Health Insurance Card to access healthcare. If they do not have a valid GHIC or EHIC with them, they should be able to show their UK passport to access healthcare.
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Updated the list of documents you'll need to prove entitlement to healthcare in Montenegro.
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Updated to reflect the UK-Switzerland Convention on Social Security Coordination coming into effect. From 1 November 2021, the UK and Switzerland are implementing an agreement on reciprocal healthcare which includes necessary healthcare, comprehensive healthcare and planned healthcare.
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First published.