The NHS is currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine to people most at risk from coronavirus. New UK residents are eligible for the vaccine and any necessary booster shots.
The UK government provides public healthcare that is free to all UK residents through the National Health Service (NHS). Private healthcare suppliers provide typically more premium services alongside the NHS at a cost.
There can be a common misconception that private provides better quality healthcare, but in the UK both public and private healthcare is governed by the same medical standards and regulations; the NHS is also seen as a world standard for healthcare.
Eligibility and costs
NHS Primary care services, such as seeing a GP or nurse at a medical centre, are free of charge to anyone. You just have to register, see Registering with a GP below.
For NHS secondary care services, such as ambulance rides or hospital treatment, the NHS is a resident based system - meaning that this healthcare is free of charge to anyone who is currently living in the UK as a resident. Even if you have a UK passport, are paying taxes, or have property in the UK, you may not be eligible for the NHS, so it’s important to check.
Nearly all healthcare is free under the NHS; the only exceptions are some optical, dentistry, prescriptions, and/or cosmetic treatments and/or are eligible under certain conditions only. However, you can check here to see what’s not covered in more detail.
Movers to the UK
If you’re moving to the UK on a visa you will have to pay an NHS surcharge as part of your visa application. This covers you for all NHS services, just like UK residents. The standard health surcharge fee is:
- £300 per year per person for Tier 5 visa holders, students and each of their dependants
- £400 per year per person for everyone else
Once paid, you can use NHS services immediately from the start date of your visa. You may also be asked to show your British Residency Permit (BRP) to NHS staff when receiving treatment.
Check out our Immigration guide for more in-depth information about making the move to the UK.
For more information if you are moving from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), check the NHS website.
If you’re moving to the UK from the EU, then you’ll need to obtain an S1 form from your home country and register this in the UK.
For more information if you are moving from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, check the NHS website.