Quick answers: healthcare in United Kingdom
- How much does health insurance cost in United Kingdom for expats?
- Indicative international health insurance for a 32-year-old living in United Kingdom (inpatient and outpatient, mid-level plan, worldwide excluding the USA) typically costs £225 to £488 a month, with a median of £312 and the cheapest at £181, based on 12 plan quotes from the 14 insurers on our panel, taken in 2026-09. Your price depends on your age, medical history, plan and deductible, and is only confirmed by the insurer.
- How much does expat health insurance cost by age in United Kingdom?
- Indicative median monthly premiums in United Kingdom (inpatient and outpatient, mid-level plan, worldwide excluding the USA): age 25 US$284, age 35 US$358, age 45 US$472, age 55 US$808, age 65 US$1,388. Quotes taken 2026-09; the insurer confirms the final price. Shown in US$. Other HealthiNomad prices are in GBP.
- Do foreigners need health insurance in United Kingdom?
- It depends on the visa. Work visa holders, e.g. Skilled Worker (visa over 6 months): Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of 1,035 pounds per year of the visa as part of the application. Health and Care Worker visa holders and their dependants: Exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge. Students, Youth Mobility Scheme visa holders and applicants under 18: Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge at 776 pounds per year of the visa. Applicants inside the UK for 6 months or less: Pay half the yearly surcharge (388 or 517.50 pounds). Countries that require travel insurance to enter
- Can foreigners use public healthcare in United Kingdom?
- GP and nurse consultations in primary care, and A&E services, are free to everyone, including visitors. NHS hospital treatment is free for those who have paid the surcharge or are otherwise exempt from charges, while other overseas visitors are charged 150% of the NHS cost. In England, NHS prescriptions cost a fixed charge per item and NHS dental treatment is charged in bands.
- Do hospitals in United Kingdom ask foreigners to pay upfront?
- Overseas visitors who are charged for NHS care must pay the full estimated cost in advance for non-urgent treatment; urgent or immediately necessary treatment is given first and billed afterwards. Private urgent care centres ask self-pay patients to pay at the time of the visit. Unpaid NHS debts of 500 pounds or more outstanding for 2 months are reported to the Home Office.
- What is the emergency number in United Kingdom?
- Call 999 for an ambulance in United Kingdom.
What health insurance costs in United Kingdom (indicative)
These are indicative prices, based on 12 plan quotes from the 14 international insurers on our panel, for one standard profile: a 32-year-old living in United Kingdom, inpatient and outpatient cover, mid-level plan, worldwide excluding the USA. The typical monthly price is £225 to £488, with a median of £312 and the cheapest at £181. Your actual price depends on your age, medical history, the plan, your deductible and where you want cover, and is only confirmed by the insurer. Snapshot 2026-09-24. See the Health Insurance Cost Index.
Indicative prices: the 5 lowest of 12 plan quotes, monthly in GBP, cheapest mid-level plan in each insurer's range. Quotes taken 2026-09-24.
See the figures
| Age | Cheapest | Median | Higher end | Plans quoted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | US$170 | US$284 | US$444 | 13 |
| 35 | US$234 | US$358 | US$548 | 13 |
| 45 | US$266 | US$472 | US$780 | 13 |
| 55 | US$447 | US$808 | US$1,293 | 13 |
| 65 | US$700 | US$1,388 | US$2,216 | 11 |
Indicative. Single adult, inpatient and outpatient, cheapest mid-level plan per insurer, worldwide excluding the USA. Quotes taken 2026-09-29. The insurer confirms the final price. Shown in US$. Other HealthiNomad prices are in GBP.
How healthcare works for expats
The UK's National Health Service (NHS) provides tax-funded healthcare that is largely free at the point of use for people who are ordinarily resident. Most people applying for a visa of more than 6 months pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which gives access to the NHS on broadly the same basis as residents. A private sector of hospitals and clinics runs alongside the NHS for those who pay directly or hold private insurance.
Public care and state schemes
GP and nurse consultations in primary care, and A&E services, are free to everyone, including visitors. NHS hospital treatment is free for those who have paid the surcharge or are otherwise exempt from charges, while other overseas visitors are charged 150% of the NHS cost. In England, NHS prescriptions cost a fixed charge per item and NHS dental treatment is charged in bands.
Private hospitals
Private hospital groups such as Nuffield Health, HCA Healthcare UK, Cleveland Clinic London and the Cromwell Hospital publish self-pay prices for consultations, scans and surgery, usually as guide or 'from' prices. Consultant professional fees are often billed separately from the hospital fee. Private hospitals generally do not run full A&E departments, but several London hospitals run walk-in urgent care centres.
Paying up front
Overseas visitors who are charged for NHS care must pay the full estimated cost in advance for non-urgent treatment; urgent or immediately necessary treatment is given first and billed afterwards. Private urgent care centres ask self-pay patients to pay at the time of the visit. Unpaid NHS debts of 500 pounds or more outstanding for 2 months are reported to the Home Office.
Typical medical costs in United Kingdom
Published prices, mostly from private hospitals. Pound figures are approximate conversions.
| Treatment | Price | About |
|---|---|---|
| Private GP appointment, face to face, 15 to 30 minutes, Bupa10 UK-wide (Bupa centres), per appointment | £89 to £159 | £89 to £159 |
| Initial specialist consultation (orthopaedic), Nuffield Health hospitals11 UK-wide (Nuffield Health hospitals), per consultation (guide 'from' price) | From £200 | From £200 |
| Private urgent care doctor consultation, Urgent Care Centre at London Bridge Hospital12 London, per consultation (self-pay, tests extra) | £130 | £130 |
| Private urgent care initial consultant consultation, Cromwell Hospital13 London, per consultation (fixed fee, tests extra) | £191 | £191 |
| Private room extra night after delivery, standard room to premier suite, The Portland Hospital15 London, per night | £1,250 to £3,340 | £1,250 to £3,340 |
| MRI scan, Cleveland Clinic London14 London, per scan (estimated 'from' price) | From £838 | From £838 |
| CT scan, Cleveland Clinic London14 London, per scan (estimated 'from' price) | From £840 | From £840 |
| Blood test, single test to profile, Cleveland Clinic London14 London, 'from' prices: single test from 33 pounds, profile from 70 pounds | £33 to £70 | £33 to £70 |
| Normal delivery package, The Portland Hospital (excludes consultant fees)15 London, per delivery, 24-hour stay included | £8,910 | £8,910 |
| Caesarean section package, elective to emergency, The Portland Hospital (excludes consultant fees)15 London, per delivery, 24-hour stay included | £10,215 to £10,410 | £10,215 to £10,410 |
| Hip replacement, total guide price including initial consultation, Nuffield Health hospitals11 UK-wide (Nuffield Health hospitals), per procedure (guide 'from' price) | From £16,779 | From £16,779 |
| NHS dental check-up (Band 1: examination, diagnosis, scale and polish), NHS dentist8 England, per course of treatment (from 1 April 2026) | £28 | £28 |
| NHS prescription charge, community pharmacy9 England, per item | £10 | £10 |
Health insurance rules for foreigners
Work visa holders, e.g. Skilled Worker (visa over 6 months)
Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of 1,035 pounds per year of the visa as part of the application.1,3
Health and Care Worker visa holders and their dependants
Students, Youth Mobility Scheme visa holders and applicants under 18
Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge at 776 pounds per year of the visa.1
Applicants inside the UK for 6 months or less
Pay half the yearly surcharge (388 or 517.50 pounds). Applicants from outside the UK for 6 months or less pay no surcharge.1,2
Visitors (Standard Visitor, usually up to 6 months)
No surcharge is paid and there is no insurance requirement on the visa page, but NHS hospital care is charged at 150% of the NHS cost, with non-urgent treatment paid in full in advance. GP consultations and A&E are free. The NHS advises visitors to hold medical or travel insurance for the whole visit.2,4,5,6
Anyone charged for NHS care
NHS debts of 500 pounds or more left unpaid for 2 months are reported to the Home Office and may affect future immigration applications.6
Tips before you buy cover
- Register with an NHS GP after arrival; GP consultations are free to everyone, including visitors.
- Check whether your visa route pays the Immigration Health Surcharge and at which rate before budgeting, as Health and Care Worker visa holders are exempt.
- Private maternity and surgery packages often exclude consultant and anaesthetist fees, which are billed separately.
- Private hospital prices are usually published as 'from' or guide prices; ask for a fixed all-inclusive quote after the first consultation.
- Use NHS 111 for urgent advice when unsure whether a problem needs 999 or A&E.
Compare cover for United Kingdom
Instant prices from the whole market, and an adviser if you want one.
Sources
- 1.Pay for UK healthcare as part of your immigration application: how much you have to pay, GOV.UK (Home Office) (accessed September 2026)
- 2.Pay for UK healthcare as part of your immigration application: who needs to pay, GOV.UK (Home Office) (accessed September 2026)
- 3.Skilled Worker visa, GOV.UK (Home Office) (accessed September 2026)
- 4.Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor, GOV.UK (Home Office) (accessed September 2026)
- 5.NHS entitlements: migrant health guide, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (GOV.UK) (October 2023)
- 6.Visitors from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), NHS (accessed September 2026)
- 7.When to call 999, NHS (accessed September 2026)
- 8.NHS dental charges from 1 April 2026, NHS Business Services Authority (April 2026)
- 9.NHS prescription charges, NHS (accessed September 2026)
- 10.Private GP services: pay as you go, Bupa UK (accessed September 2026)
- 11.Hip replacement surgery, Nuffield Health (accessed September 2026)
- 12.Walk-In Urgent Care Centre, London Bridge Hospital, HCA Healthcare UK (accessed September 2026)
- 13.Private Urgent Care Centre in London, Cromwell Hospital (September 2026)
- 14.Hospital services self-pay prices, Cleveland Clinic London (accessed September 2026)
- 15.Self-funding hospital delivery fees 2026, The Portland Hospital (HCA Healthcare UK) (January 2026)
Costs and rules change. Always check with the hospital, the insurer or the relevant authority before relying on a figure.