If you’re planning a trip to the UK and wondering whether you’ll get free medical care if you get sick or hurt, the short answer is: it depends. You won’t get the same free healthcare as UK residents, but you won’t be turned away in an emergency either. What you will pay - and what you should prepare for - is what matters most.
What the NHS Actually Offers Tourists
The National Health Service (NHS) is often misunderstood as a global free-for-all. It’s not. UK residents get care funded by taxes. Tourists don’t. But there are exceptions. You’ll get emergency treatment for free - no questions asked. That means A&E departments, ambulance services, and urgent care for life-threatening conditions like heart attacks, severe injuries, or strokes. This is required by law under international agreements.But here’s the catch: once you’re stabilized, you’ll get billed. The NHS charges overseas visitors for any treatment that isn’t immediately life-saving. That includes follow-up visits, scans, prescriptions, and even maternity care if you go into labor while visiting. One tourist in Manchester ended up with a £4,200 bill after a fall that required an X-ray and a week of pain management. She didn’t have travel insurance. She paid it out of pocket.
What’s Covered for Free? (The Real Exceptions)
Not all care costs money. The UK government has agreements with certain countries that let their citizens access some NHS services without charge. If you’re from the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, and you have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), you’ll get medically necessary care at the same cost as a UK resident - which is usually free. That includes doctor visits, hospital treatment, and some prescriptions.But even with a GHIC, it doesn’t cover everything. You won’t get free dental care, eye exams, or private rooms. And if you’re from the U.S., Canada, Australia, or New Zealand - which most tourists are - you have no automatic coverage. You’re treated as a non-resident, full stop.
There’s one more exception: treatment for certain infectious diseases. Tuberculosis, HIV, and some sexually transmitted infections are provided free to anyone, regardless of nationality. This is a public health rule, not a tourist perk.
What Happens If You Don’t Have Insurance?
If you show up at a hospital without insurance and need non-emergency care, you’ll be asked to pay upfront. Hospitals in the UK are required to verify your eligibility before offering non-urgent treatment. You might be asked for your passport, proof of address, or details about your travel insurance. If you can’t pay, the hospital will still treat you in an emergency - but you’ll get a bill later. And if you don’t pay? The NHS can send it to a collection agency. They’ve even sued tourists in court for unpaid bills.One American student in Edinburgh broke her ankle hiking. She thought her U.S. health plan would cover her. It didn’t. The NHS charged her £1,800 for the cast, scan, and follow-up. She had no insurance. She had to borrow money from family to cover it. That’s not rare. Around 30,000 overseas visitors receive NHS care each year that isn’t free. Half of them don’t have insurance.
Travel Insurance Isn’t Optional - It’s Essential
The best way to avoid a financial shock is simple: buy travel insurance that includes medical coverage. Not just any policy - one that specifically covers treatment in the UK. Many cheap policies exclude the UK because it’s seen as a "high-cost" destination. Check the fine print. Look for these keywords: "inpatient treatment," "emergency hospitalization," and "repatriation."Good policies cost between £40 and £100 for a two-week trip. That’s less than a good pair of walking shoes. And if something goes wrong, it could save you thousands. One couple from Texas had their trip cut short when their daughter developed appendicitis. Their insurance covered the £5,000 surgery and the flight home. Without it, they’d have been stuck with the bill.
Don’t assume your credit card’s insurance is enough. Most only cover trip cancellations or lost luggage. Some offer limited medical coverage, but often with low caps - like £2,000. That’s not enough for a hospital stay.
Private Clinics Are an Option - But Not Cheaper
Some tourists think private hospitals in the UK will be cheaper or faster. They’re not. Private clinics charge even more than the NHS for the same treatment. A private GP visit can cost £150. A private A&E visit? Up to £500. And you still need insurance to make it worth it. Most private providers won’t treat you without proof of insurance or upfront payment.The NHS is actually the most cost-effective route - if you’re insured. Without insurance, you’re better off avoiding non-urgent care altogether. Walk-in centers and pharmacies can handle minor issues like colds, rashes, or ear infections for under £10. That’s cheaper than any private clinic.
What About Long-Term Visitors?
If you’re staying longer than six months - whether you’re a student, worker, or family visitor - you’ll need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). It’s £1,035 per year for most visa holders. Once you pay it, you get full NHS access, just like a resident. That includes free GP visits, hospital care, prescriptions (with a £9.65 fee), and dental care (with charges). The IHS is mandatory for visas longer than six months. Skip it, and you’ll be denied entry or visa renewal.Short-term visitors - tourists, business travelers, weekend visitors - don’t pay the IHS. And they don’t get free care. That’s the line.
What to Do Before You Go
Here’s what you should do before stepping off the plane:- Buy travel insurance with medical coverage - check the limits and exclusions
- Carry your insurance documents and emergency contact number with you
- Know the difference between NHS urgent care and private clinics
- Don’t assume your home country’s insurance works in the UK
- If you’re from the EU/EEA, bring your GHIC card - but don’t rely on it for everything
- Keep a list of nearby pharmacies and walk-in centers - they’re your first stop for minor issues
The UK isn’t trying to trap tourists with bills. It’s just not a free healthcare destination. The system is designed for residents. Visitors are expected to cover their own medical costs - and the vast majority do, thanks to insurance. Skip it, and you risk turning a small trip into a financial disaster.
Do tourists get free hospital care in the UK?
Tourists get free emergency care in UK hospitals - like for heart attacks, serious injuries, or strokes. But once stabilized, they’ll be billed for any follow-up treatment, scans, or prescriptions. Non-emergency care is never free unless you have a valid GHIC and are from an eligible country.
Can I use my U.S. health insurance in the UK?
Most U.S. health insurance plans don’t cover medical care in the UK. Medicare and Medicaid definitely don’t. Private U.S. plans may offer limited international coverage, but rarely enough for hospital stays. Always check with your provider before you travel. Travel insurance is the only reliable option.
Do I need travel insurance for the UK?
Yes. The UK is one of the most expensive countries in the world for non-residents to receive medical care. A single hospital visit can cost over £5,000. Travel insurance with medical coverage is cheap - usually under £100 for two weeks - and prevents financial ruin if something goes wrong.
What if I can’t pay my NHS bill as a tourist?
The NHS will still treat you in an emergency. But unpaid bills are sent to collections. They can report you to credit agencies, block future UK visa applications, or even take legal action. Some tourists have been denied re-entry because of unpaid medical debts. Paying is the only way to avoid long-term consequences.
Is dental care free for tourists in the UK?
No. Dental care is never free for tourists, even in emergencies. You’ll be charged for exams, fillings, extractions, and X-rays. Emergency dental treatment (like for severe pain or trauma) is available through NHS urgent care, but you’ll still get a bill. Always check if your travel insurance covers dental emergencies.