Health Insurance and Healthcare in the UK Explained

Jump right in:

• How healthcare works in the UK
• Does the UK have free public healthcare for non-residents?
• What services does the NHS provide?
• Emergency care, pharmacies & other health services
• Do I need private health insurance in the UK?
• What is the average cost of private health insurance?
• How to get private health insurance
• How to find a doctor
• How to find a dentist
• Giving birth in the UK

The National Health Service (NHS), the UK’s public healthcare system, provides universal public healthcare funded by taxes. It offers free medical services to all legal residents through general practitioner’s referrals and hospital care.

While comprehensive, public treatment often involves long wait times, leading many to use private healthcare for faster access, additional convenience, and more treatment choices. Private medical insurance (PMI) in this case is an add-on to — rather than a full replacement of — the public system.

The short answer is: it depends.

If you’re moving to the UK, you typically don’t need private medical insurance. Instead, the Immigration Health Surcharge (HIS) payment that is required in connection with your visa application means you can make use of NHS services.

Things are different if you’re only in the country for a short visit, for example as a tourist. You’ll still receive emergency care but may be billed for it.

Find out more on our section on Do I need private health insurance in the UK?

The NHS is very comprehensive and entitles you to the following free services:

• consultations with your GP and nurse
• treatment at accident and emergency (A&E)
• treatment for minor injuries in clinics
• maternity services
• sexual health services and contraception
• treatment with a specialist (if referred by your GP)

With some exceptions (e.g., people with chronic illnesses, cancer sufferers), patients are required to pay for:

• prescriptions (charge of 9.90 GBP per item)
• dental care
• eye care
• wigs and fabric supports

Even though your GP is usually your first port of call for medical matters, you can also rely on the following healthcare providers.

Emergency services

In case of a life-threatening emergency, call 999.

Be prepared to provide the following information:

• the location of the emergency
• details on what happened / what the emergency is
• your name and contact number

The European-wide 112 emergency number is also supported.

111 for non-emergency medical advice

If you have an urgent but non-life-threatening medical issue but can’t reach your GP, call 111. You’ll be able to speak to a trained adviser who will instruct you on what to do next.

You can also visit 111.nhs.uk online. After a few questions about your symptoms, you’ll be advised on an appropriate course of action.

Urgent treatment centers (UTC)

If you need urgent medical help but it’s not a life-or-death kind of situation, you may also rely on urgent treatment centers. They can handle common problems ranging from suspected broken bones to high fevers.

Pharmacies

Pharmacists are trained professionals who are qualified to give advice on minor conditions that do not require a prescription (e.g., sore throats, stomach aches, minor burns).

In the UK, pharmacies are commonly called chemists. The major chain is Boots, and large supermarkets may have a pharmacy on their premises, too.

There are also many online alternatives, such as Lloyds Pharmacy and Chemist Direct.

Sexual health centers

Sexual health services are free and available to everyone. You do not need to be registered with a GP or give any information if you do not wish to.

Visit any sexual health center to get tested for sexually transmitted infections and/or for contraception advice.

If you’re relocating to the UK, you typically don’t need private medical insurance. Instead, your payment of the so-called Immigration Health Surcharge (HIS) means you can make use of NHS services.

People on a Health and Care Worker visa, as well as their families, are covered by the NHS even without this HIS payment.

However, you might still want to get private cover for:

• tourist stays in the UK*
• shorter waiting times
• more control over the medical treatments you receive
• broader coverage in addition to NHS services (e.g., eye care)

*) Citizens from the EU/EEA/Switzerland may use a valid EHIC or GHIC card for free care or at least lower payments on medically necessary treatments. The same may be true for you if your home country has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK.

Private medical insurance (PMI) in the UK is not a complete alternative to the tax-based public care but a supplement. For that reason, PMI also only covers acute conditions and not chronic injuries or illnesses.

Factors like your age, choice of consultants and insurer, cover level, pre-existing medical conditions, lifestyle (e.g. smoking, alcohol consumption, etc.), and excess (i.e., what you’re willing to pay yourself on any claims) all contribute to your premium.

Plus, your postcode affects the price of your private medical insurance in the UK. Providers base their premiums on the average claims and treatment costs in your area. Unsurprisingly, an address in London is the costliest, with about 30% higher premiums than the national average.

So the actual price varies a lot. This table on the average premium for a mid-tier plan is just meant to give you a general idea.

To save money, you can check if your insurer offers the so-called “six-week wait” option: with it, private cover will only apply to any in-patient treatment where the NHS waiting list is longer than six weeks, resulting in lower premiums.

Types of private health insurance plans

Policies are highly customizable and, next to individual cover, also include family or business packages.

The level of cover is roughly split into:

Basic or in-patient is for hospital stays to supplement any initial consultation and tests under the NHS. It typically does not include mental health cover.

Medium or capped out-patient includes, on top of basic cover, a fixed amount for further diagnostic tests (e.g., MRI scans), specialist consultations, and some therapies (e.g., limited number of physio appointments). It often includes basic mental health cover, too.

Comprehensive or out-patient covers most if not all costs, from first consultations to surgery and aftercare, as well as extensive mental health support.

There are two main types of private medical insurance depending on how pre-existing conditions are handled:

Moratorium underwriting automatically excludes coverage for any pre-existing medical conditions that you were treated for in the five years prior to signing the policy. If you remain treatment-free for two consecutive years on the policy, your insurer may start covering you for that condition, too.

Full medical underwriting (FMU) requires a complete medical history in advance. Based on that, your policy will then clearly spell out what is and is not covered.

With most insurers, you also have the option of booking add-ons (also referred to as “bolt on”) for things like advanced cancer treatments, optical and dental services, therapies, and comprehensive mental health support.

First, try to get a clear idea of your needs and requirements. Who needs to be included? What level of cover are you looking for? How much excess are you able to pay? What about any pre-existing conditions?

Then, use comparison websites like Compare PMI, Compare my PMI, or Compare The Market to get quotes.

Well-known local providers include:

• Bupa
• AXA Health
• Aviva
• Vitaly
• WPA (Western Provident Association)

However, as an expat, you might not always be eligible for cover with these British insurers. If that’s the case, you might want to look into international private medical insurance (IPMI), for example with:

• Allianz Care
• Bupa Global
• AXA Global Healthcare
• Cigna Global

Apply with the insurer of your choice and — if required — declare your medical history. Most policies include a 14-day cooling-off period that let you step back from the contract if you change your mind.

Even with private insurance, you still need to register (or stay registered) with a NHS General Practitioner (GP). You’re also required to request pre-authorization before attending any private appointments.

You have the legal right to choose your GP and can change practice if you wish, without providing any reasons.

But note that GPs and dental practices are only obligated to accept you if you reside within the area they service. And if they’re already at capacity, they can refuse to register new patients.

A good way to start your search is to ask colleagues or friends for recommendations.

You can also use the search engines provided by the different National Health Services across the UK to look for practices in:

• England
• Scotland
• Wales
• Northern Ireland

Registering with a GP in the UK

Once you found a practice you like, you need to register with them as an NHS patient.

You can do this either online — look for your GP on the NHS website or app — or in person. In either case, you’ll have to complete a form with your details such as your name, date of birth, your emergency contracts, and any previous GPs.

Your GP is there to help with all your medical inquiries. They will assess you, prescribe medications as needed, talk to you about options, and send you to a specialist or more urgent care if necessary.

What is the average waiting times to see a doctor?

Your GP is for non-emergency care and works with an appointment-based system.

If you suddenly find yourself falling ill, many practices offer a “walk in service”, too. However, this is usually only for a few hours in the mornings as they are often very busy with their scheduled appointments.

According to the NHS, around 45% of GP appointments in early 2026 took place on the same day. In fact, a new mandate by the NHS and government requires that all patients with urgent need are seen to on the same day. Non-urgent appointments should take place within one to two weeks for the large majority of patients.

Most GP appointments are very short, lasting around 10 minutes on average. If they think your problem needs more detailed attention, they will let you know how to find a specialist related to your problem.

The wait times for a specialist appointment — referred to as Referral to Treatment (RTT) pathways — very much depends on the type of specialty and your location. While the NHS goal is for treatment to start within 18 weeks, less than two-thirds of patients were seen within this time frame in early 2026 in England, for example.

The corresponding Treatment Time Guarantee (TTG) of 12 weeks in Scotland was also only met for about 43% of patients.

Some dentists offer both private and NHS-based treatments, while others focus on just one or the other. NHS dentists can be found using the service finder on the NHS website (see the section on finding a doctor).

Benefits of private dental care:

• Appointments are usually longer allowing for a more detailed and relaxed service
• Easier access to services without long wait times
• Health and cosmetic care are taken into consideration
• Higher quality of treatment materials

Advantages of NHS dental care:

• Affordable treatment of dental issues affecting oral health
• NHS dentists run on a not-for-profit basis, so you can rest assured that recommended procedures are in your best interest

Like with your GP, you need to register with the dental practice of your choice. It’s a good idea to do this before any emergencies happen, so you can receive treatment quickly when needed.

What costs are involved with dental care?

Free dental care is available for those aged under 18 (or under 19 if in full-time education), pregnant women, and people who have had a baby in the last 12 months.

For everyone else, the price you’ll pay for dental treatment under the NHS depends on the level of treatment and the amount of work required. In England, the price structure is as follows (as of 2026):

• first band - 27.40 GBP (36.50 USD): emergency care, dental examinations, polish, and scaling if medically required
• second band - 75.30 GBP (100 USD): additionally covers fillings, root canal work, and removal of teeth
• third band - 362.70 GBP (483 USD): bands 1 and 2, plus crowns, dentures, bridges, and lab work

In Scotland and Northern Ireland, you typically have to cover 80% of the treatment costs, capped at a maximum of 384 GBP. The same maximum cap applies in Wales, with costs starting at around 20 GBP for band 1.

If you’re expecting and concerned about healthcare or possible immigration problems as an expat, don’t worry. There’s almost no difference to giving birth in the UK as a permanent resident.

Both groups typically enjoy:

• free dental care for the duration of the pregnancy and for one year after birth
• free prescriptions for the duration of the pregnancy and for one year after birth
• choice of place of delivery provided no specialist treatment is required
• 52 weeks’ maternity leave
• Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)

To qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), you need to meet the following requirements:

• employee for tax purposes
• at least 26 weeks with current employer
• notice given at least 28 days in advance
• minimum average weekly earnings of 129 GBP (as of 2026)

You’re then eligible for

• 90% of your average weekly earnings in the first 6 weeks
• 90% or 195 GBP a week (whichever is lower) for the remaining 33 weeks

Your employer may also offer more than this legal minimum, so make sure to check your contract.

SMP counts as regular income and will be taxed accordingly.

What are the costs for childbirth?

Most expats won’t have to worry about the costs of having a baby in the UK: the NHS covers childbirth for people with “ordinarily resident” status and anyone whose visa required a Immigration Health Surcharge (HIS) payment to join the NHS.

For anyone not covered by the NHS (e.g., tourists), a standard delivery is billed at around 7,000 to 9,000 GBP (~9,400–12,100 USD), going up to 12,000 GBP (16k USD) or more for complex births or c-sections.

That said, maternity care in the UK is classified as “immediately necessary treatment”. This means you cannot be denied care, even if you’re not covered by the NHS and unable to pay at the time of treatment.

And as a citizen from the EU/EEA/Switzerland or a country with a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK, you may be able to cover some of the costs through your insurance from home.

If you face difficulties paying, ask to speak to the Overseas Visitors Manager at the hospital. They can help explain your payment options, set up a repayment plan, or arrange to waive charges depending on your situation.

Available maternity services

The NHS also covers a wide range of maternity services, including:

• GP consultations
• midwifery care
• gynecology services
• cervical screenings
• caesarean sections

Giving birth in the UK for citizenship

In some countries like the US, Canada, Chile, and Brazil, your child can obtain citizenship simply by being born in the country — this is not the case for the United Kingdom.

For a child to be registered as a British citizen at birth, either or both parents must have settled status or hold British citizenship. You can apply to receive settled status after five years of continuous residence.

Children born in the UK from non-British nationals will be able to register for citizenship as soon as their parents acquire Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or Settlement Status.