A yellow and green London Ambulance Service ambulance with its blue lights on, in traffic in front of a red double-decker bus

A London Ambulance Service emergency ambulance.

A red helicopter with yellow and green stripes, marked "G-LNDN" and "London's Air Ambulance", flying just above the ground

A London’s Air Ambulance helicopter.

How to get healthcare

In an emergency (someone is seriously ill or their life is in danger) dial 999 for an ambulance. Even as a visitor to the UK you do not have to pay for the ambulance; they are free to everyone.

If it’s not an emergency but you need some medical help, dial 111 or go to 111 online.

111 can help you find a local treatment centre or a pharmacist. Each area has a pharmacy (a drugstore) which is open late hours, which you can go to if you need prescription drugs outside of office hours. 111 will help you find them too.

What you don’t have to pay for

The following things are free for everyone including visitors to the UK:

  • Covid-19 testing and vaccination (when requested by a medical professional).
  • Accident and Emergency (‘Emergency Room’) services, up until the point where you’re admitted to hospital.
  • family planning services (eg contraception), excluding abortions and infertility treatment.
  • treatment for most infectious diseases including sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
  • treatment required for a physical or mental condition caused by torture, female genital mutilation (FGM), domestic violence or sexual violence – this does not apply if you have come to England to seek this treatment.

Visitors to the UK who don’t have to pay

You don’t have to pay if you are:

  • From the EU and you have an EHIC, PRC or S2 card.
  • From Norway (show your passport).
  • Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland - maybe. Check with the health authority where you live before travelling to the UK.

Medical insurance

If none of the above apply, and you receive healthcare that you need to pay for (eg you’re admitted to hospital), then you’ll need to pay. That means you should arrange personal medical insurance before visiting the UK.

More info: How to access NHS services in England if you are visiting from abroad.