The NHS is a residency-based system, meaning you generally lose entitlement to free, non-emergency care immediately upon moving abroad permanently. While you can access GP services temporarily, you are typically considered an overseas visitor for hospital care if you live outside the UK for more than 3 months.
Key Guidelines and Exceptions:
- Short Trips (Under 3 Months): You can usually get medication and primary care for short trips, but you should arrange for local healthcare if away longer.
- EU/EEA/Switzerland: If you moved to the EU on or before 31 December 2020, you may retain rights to NHS care. Otherwise, those living in these countries can use a UK GHIC/EHIC for necessary care when visiting the UK
- Returning to the UK: You are entitled to use the NHS immediately upon returning to live in the UK, requiring a PRF1 form to register with a GP.
- Exceptions: Crown servants, British Council staff, and some pensioners may retain rights.
- Residency Requirement: Simply having a British passport or paying taxes in the past does not entitle you to care; you must be “ordinarily resident”.
Disclaimer: This information applies to England; rules in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland may differ slightly.
NHS inform
- Planning your healthcare when living abroad – NHS
You will be eligible for an S1 only if you are lawfully present as a resident in an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. Find more information on S1 eligibility on the NHS website on the link below. - Using the NHS when you return to live in the UK
If you are a UK national living abroad and are returning to live in the UK, visit the GOV.uk website on the link below to find out more. - Overseas patients – East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
Copy and paste the following link into your browser for information on Overseas patients: https://www.enherts-tr.nhs.uk/patient-visitors/overseas/
Find more information on S1 eligibility on the NHS website
Find more information on using the NHS when you return to live in the UK.
