NHS Scotland does not pass patient details to the Home Office for the purpose of immigration enforcement.
Visa applications are controlled by the UK government and, as part of your application, you may have to pay a healthcare surcharge, also known as an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). However, this will depend on the immigration status you are applying for.
The Immigration Health Surcharge was introduced throughout the UK on 6th April 2015 by an order taken from the UK Immigration Act 2014.
The Home Office maintain that the health provisions in the Immigration Act 2014 support immigration policy, which is a reserved matter for the UK Government.
This page has been revised following the UK’s exit from the European Union.
This surcharge applies to visitors who wish to enter the UK for more than 6 months, and require a visa to do so.
Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, citizens from the EU, EEA and Switzerland who enter the UK may now have to pay this surcharge.
You do not need to pay this surcharge if, for example, you are applying for a visitor visa, health and care worker visa or to remain in the UK permanently.
The price you pay will depend on your age and the type of visa you are applying for. For example, you will need to pay:
You will also need to pay this surcharge for spouses, dependent children and civil partners who are coming to the UK.
The surcharge must be paid up-front and in total, along with visa fees, for the full period covered by your visa before you can enter the UK. The surcharge will also be applied if a visa extension is granted.
You may be eligible to claim a refund of all or part of this surcharge depending on your circumstances.
For example, you may be eligible for a refund if you:
The UK Government website provides more information about the immigration health surcharge, including when and how much you will need to pay.
In order to receive care, you will need to register with a GP as soon as you arrive in Scotland.
If you need an interpreter, ask the GP surgery to arrange this for you. When you make an appointment, tell them what language you prefer to use.
If you or a member of your family are unwell and your GP surgery and pharmacist are closed, phone the NHS 24 111 service.
NHS 24 provide an interpreting service if English is not your first or preferred language.
When living in Scotland and in possession of a valid visa, the following people are exempt from NHS charges for the duration of their stay:
These exemptions are detailed in the National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) (Scotland) Regulations 1989, as amended.
The UK has left the European Union.
To continue living in the UK, EU citizens who were resident in the UK by 30 December 2020 must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Further information on applying to the EU Settlement Scheme
From 1 January 2021, EU citizens coming to study in Scotland must enter under the UK Government’s immigration rules.
If you are coming to Scotland to study full-time, and you live in Scotland lawfully, you can get healthcare from the NHS from the day you arrive until one month after your course finishes.
You may also get healthcare from the NHS if you are a part-time student and you are also working in Scotland.
If you are from the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland and you need care, you may be asked to show:
If you are not from the EEA or Switzerland and you need care, you may be asked to show:
Healthcare for overseas students and their families is free for the most part. There are, however, some treatments that may incur a cost.
The Scottish Government provide further information about health costs and entitlement.
If you are registered as an NHS patient your partner and children might also qualify for healthcare. If you have children they must be aged under 16, or under 19 and in full-time education.
Staff at the GP surgery will ask you to fill in a form to register your family. You may need to show your marriage or civil partnership certificate, and birth certificates for your children to complete the registration process.
If you have other members of family from the EEA or Switzerland they can also get healthcare from the NHS.
To do so they must have an EHIC and register with a GP.
If you have other members of family not from the EEA or Switzerland they may be entitled to healthcare if they have been allowed to join you in Scotland.
To do so, an EEA family permit is issued overseas to nationals of countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who are family members of EEA nationals.
The UK Border Agency has more information on the EEA family permit.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has an advice line for overseas students.
You can phone them on +4420 7788 9214 (Monday to Friday, 1pm to 4pm).
The UK has left the European Union.
To continue living in the UK, EU citizens who were resident in the UK by 30 December 2020 must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Further information on applying to the EU Settlement Scheme
From 1 January 2021, EU citizens coming to work in Scotland must enter under the UK Government’s immigration rules.
If you are coming to Scotland to work, and you live in Scotland lawfully, you can get healthcare from the NHS while you are here.
You may also get healthcare from the NHS if you:
If you are from the European Economic Area (EEA) (except Switzerland) and you need care, you may be asked to show your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
If you need care and you’re from Switzerland or not from the EEA, you may be asked to show:
Healthcare for overseas workers and their families is free for the most part. There are, however, some treatments that may incur a cost.
The Citizens Advice Scotland provides advice regarding NHS charges for people from abroad
The Scottish Government provide further information about health costs and entitlement.
If you are registered as an NHS patient your partner and children might also qualify for healthcare. If you have children they must be aged under 16, or under 19 and in full-time education.
Staff at the GP surgery will ask you to fill in a form to register your family. You may need to show your marriage or civil partnership certificate, and birth certificates for your children to complete the registration process.
If you have other members of family from the EEA or Switzerland they can also get healthcare from the NHS.
To do so they must have an EHIC and register with a GP.
If you have other members of family not from the EEA or Switzerland they may be entitled to healthcare if they have been allowed to join you in Scotland.
To do so, an EEA family permit is issued overseas to nationals of countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who are family members of EEA nationals.
The UK Border Agency has more information on the EEA family permit
If you or a member of your family are unwell and your GP surgery and pharmacist are closed, phone the NHS 24 111 service.
NHS 24 provide an interpreting service if English is not your first or preferred language.
This information is also available as a factsheet, which has been translated into different languages and formats – including audio and large print.
Print-ready versions for professionals are also available.
If you are coming to Scotland on holiday or to visit friends or relatives, you may have to pay for any healthcare you need while you are here.
You should always get travel insurance with medical cover before your trip.
If you need treatment while you are in the UK, NHS staff may want to see:
If you don’t have these you may need to pay for any care you receive.
More about accessing NHS services and treatments
Holidaymakers eligibility to receive free healthcare while in Scotland will depend on their individual circumstances. However, access to emergency treatment is free until the overseas patient is stabilised.
If you normally live in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you will not have to pay any treatment while you are here. This includes treatment for an illness or condition you had before you travelled and routine maternity care.
Before you travel to Scotland you must get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in your own country.
NHS staff may ask to see your EHIC before starting any treatment. If you don’t have an EHIC, they might not be able to treat you as an NHS patient and you may need to pay for any care you receive.
If you’re normally resident in the Republic of Ireland (RoI) you don’t need an EHIC card to receive NHS treatment in Scotland.
However, if you have an EHIC you can show it to NHS staff. If you don’t have an EHIC they might ask to see proof that you’re normally resident in the RoI. This could be your Irish passport or driving licence.
If you don’t normally live in the EEA or Switzerland and your country does not have an agreement with the UK you will need to pay for all of your healthcare.
If you become ill or have an accident and need transport with medical support to go back to your home country, you will have to pay for this. This is not not covered by the EHIC, or by any arrangements with countries outside the EEA.
If you run out of medicine while you are visiting, you can find a local GP surgery and ask to make an appointment.
The GP will decide if you can be registered as a temporary resident and may ask to see:
If you are registered as a temporary resident, you will not need to pay to see the GP.
Alternatively, you can find a local pharmacy and ask the pharmacist for a small supply of the medicines you need.
If the pharmacist agrees to do this, you will need to pay the full price for the medicines.
This information is also available as a factsheet, which has been translated into different languages and formats – including audio and large print.
Print-ready versions for professionals are also available.
Last updated:
17 November 2023