Updated guidance on UK reciprocal healthcare agreements with non-EU countries

Published 1 July 2021

Last updated 6 February 2024 — See all updates

1. Visiting EU countries and Switzerland
2. Coronavirus (COVID-19) travel advice
3. Reciprocal healthcare agreements outside of the EU
4. Anguilla
5. Australia
6. Bosnia and Herzegovina
7. British Virgin Islands
8. Falkland Islands
9. Faroe Islands
10. Gibraltar
11. Guernsey
12. Isle of Man
13. Israel
14. Jersey
15. Kosovo
16. North Macedonia
17. Montenegro
18. Montserrat
19. New Zealand
20. St Helena
21. Serbia
22. Turks and Caicos Islands
23. If you live or are planning to move abroad

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 Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) 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.

To find out more about accessing healthcare in EU countries and Switzerland, see Healthcare for UK nationals visiting the EU.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) travel advice

See the latest health advice for UK travellers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Reciprocal healthcare agreements outside of 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.

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. For instance, requested documents may include a passport, driver’s licence, proof of national insurance enrolment or a utility bill.

Within the reciprocal agreements there are a number of variations in the level of free treatment afforded to visitors. 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.

In addition to the EFTA countries detailed above, the UK has reciprocal health agreements with the countries listed below.

Each country below lists:

• the documents you’ll need to prove entitlement to healthcare in the country
• what is covered
• what you’ll need to pay for

AnguillaDocuments 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

AustraliaDocuments you’ll need:

• a UK passport with a valid Australian visa
• a GHIC or UK-issued European Health Insurance Card (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 HerzegovinaDocuments you’ll need:

• UK passport (if you’re a UK resident, but not a UK national, you’ll need to prove NI 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 NI enrolment – you can get this from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) (see ‘Proving your National Insurance number’)

• if you’re not a UK or Bosnian national, but are the dependant of someone who is, you should also show proof of NI 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 IslandsDocuments 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 IslandsDocuments you’ll need:

• evidence of UK residence, such as NHS enrolment, NI enrolment, etc.

What is covered:

• hospital treatment
• dental treatment
• other medical treatment
• prescribed medicines
• ambulance travel

Faroe IslandsDocuments you’ll need:

• proof of identity, including proof of nationality and 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.

GibraltarDocuments 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.

GuernseyDocuments 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 ManDocuments you’ll need:

• proof of 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.

JerseyDocuments you’ll need:

• proof of 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.

KosovoDocuments you’ll need:

• UK passport (if you’re a UK resident, but not a UK national, you’ll need to prove NI enrolment)

• if you’re a national of Kosovo living in the UK, you’ll need to show your Kosovan passport and NI enrolment – you can get this from HMRC (see ‘Proving your National Insurance number’)

• if you’re not a UK or Kosovan national, but are the dependant of someone who is, you should also prove NI 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 MacedoniaDocuments you’ll need:

• UK passport (if you’re a UK resident, but not a UK national, you’ll need to prove NI 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 NI enrolment – you can get this from HMRC (see ‘Proving your National Insurance number’)

• if you’re not a UK or North Macedonian national, but are the dependant of someone who is, you should also prove NI 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

MontenegroDocuments 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 should 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. Health fund offices in Montenegro – contact details.

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.

See a list of medical facilities in Montenegro.

What is covered:

• emergency treatment only

What you’ll need to pay for:

• other medical treatment
• prescribed medicines

MontserratDocuments you’ll need:

• evidence of UK residence, such as a NHS enrolment or UK driving licence
• UK passport

What is covered:

• emergency medical treatment, including medicines

New ZealandDocuments 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 HelenaDocuments 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

SerbiaDocuments you’ll need:

• UK passport (if you’re a UK resident, but not a UK national, you’ll need to prove NI enrolment)
• if you’re a national of Serbia living in the UK, you’ll need to show your Serbian passport and proof of NI enrolment – you can get this from HMRC(see ‘Proving your National Insurance number’)
• if you’re not a UK or Serbian national, but are the dependant of someone who is, you should also prove NI enrolment

What is covered:

• hospital treatment
• some dental treatment and
• other medical treatment

What you’ll need to pay for:

• prescribed medicines

Turks and Caicos IslandsDocuments 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.