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Overseas patients

We are proud to serve a diverse community and to provide quality care for all our patients. We have a legal duty to recover costs from patients who are not entitled to free NHS hospital treatment.

The NHS provides free hospital treatment to people who live in the UK lawfully and on a settled basis. If you are not ordinarily resident in the UK, you may have to pay for your hospital treatment.

To establish your eligibility, we may ask you about your residential status. This can apply to any patient, regardless of your nationality or if you’ve paid National Insurance or UK taxes in the past.

The NHS website provides further information about how to access NHS services in England if you are visiting from abroad. This includes more information on who may need to pay for NHS services and who may be exempt.

This page covers:

For further information, please see our patient information leaflet.

Hospital services that are free to everyone

Some hospital care is free to everyone, whatever their residential status. For example, care in an emergency department. If you are then admitted to hospital, you will be charged for this part of your care if you are not eligible for free treatment.

The NHS website has information on hospital services that are free to everyone

If treatment is necessary or urgent

We will always provide treatment that is immediately necessary or urgent. This applies to everyone, including non-UK residents whose care cannot wait until they return to their country of residence. However, in these cases, if you are not exempt from charges you will need to pay for your treatment. We reserve the right not to provide treatment that is not immediately necessary or urgent.

All maternity services, including routine antenatal treatment, are considered immediately necessary. If you need any maternity services, we will provide these for you. If are not entitled to free NHS care, you will need to pay any outstanding charges afterwards.

Our Overseas Visitors team can answer questions and will discuss your case with you.

Visitors who may not need to pay for NHS treatment

Some visitors to England do not have to pay for NHS hospital treatment. This is because they are within an exemption category.

Our Overseas Visitors team can help confirm if you need to pay for treatment.

  • If you normally live in a country that has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK, you might be entitled to free healthcare if you become unwell during your visit.
  • If you normally live in a country that is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) healthcare arrangement you will be entitled to free healthcare if you have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This covers medically necessary treatment that cannot reasonably wait until you return home. You need to bring this card with you to hospital. It must be in your name and within the expiry date. If you are entitled to an EHIC but you have travelled without one, or it has been lost or stolen on your visit, contact the relevant organisation in your home country to request a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC).
  • Refugees and asylum seekers who have an active application being considered by the Home Office, or are appealing a Home Office decision, are entitled to free hospital care. You will need to provide documents to prove your refugee or asylum status.

Undocumented patients

If you are living in the UK with insecure immigration status, or you have overstayed your visa, you may have to pay for your hospital care, unless you meet another exemption criteria. The Overseas Visitors team can discuss your case with you.

Support with paying for your care

If you need to pay for NHS care, but cannot cover the full amount in one payment, our Overseas Visitors Team can discuss an instalment repayment plan with you.

Organisations that may also be able to help or advise you include:

How to prove you are entitled to free NHS treatment

All patients admitted to hospital or attending an outpatient clinic, whatever their nationality and residency, need to provide correct information and evidence of entitlement if asked.

To prove you are entitled to free NHS care, you will need to provide our Overseas Visitors team with documents. They must be valid, and within the expiry date, if applicable:

Proof of identity

  • Passport
  • National ID photo card
  • UK armed or police forces photo ID
  • ID issued by the Home Office – card or digital version
  • Photographic disabled blue badge

Proof of address or residency

Depending on your circumstances, you may need to prove your address or residency. The date on the document needs to align with your treatment date.

  • Department for Work and Pensions or HM Revenue and Customs letter confirming your right to benefits or state pension
  • Home Office letter with your current address
  • Water, gas, electric, or council tax bill
  • Telephone bill (landline)
  • Bank or building society statement
  • Current mortgage or rental agreement

Documents to establish you are eligible for free NHS healthcare

Depending on your circumstances, you may need to show a document that confirms you are eligible for free NHS treatment.

  • European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
  • Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) for EHIC
  • EU Settlement Scheme – certificate of application (CoA) or share code
  • Home Office-issued documents

Contact our Overseas Visitors team

Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington Hospital, Queen Mary’s Hospital, and Beckenham Beacon

Tel: 01689 864468 or 01689 865882
Email: kch-tr.br-OverseasVisitorsTeam@nhs.net

King’s College Hospital

Tel: 020 3299 5858
Email: kch-tr.overseasvisitors@nhs.net