How does treatment work if you are visiting the UK from France?

Since Brexit, healthcare rules when visiting the UK from France have changed. 

For UK nationals that have become official residents in France, there are still several provisions that allow you to access healthcare while visiting the UK and for most people this will be free of charge. 

In all cases, however, travel insurance including elements such as medical repatration may be advisable. 

Using a French Ceam card in the UK

UK nationals living in France and covered by the French healthcare system can continue to use their French Ceam (Carte européenne d'assurance maladie) card in the UK. 

This card, which is similar to the UK’s Ehic/Ghic (European/Global health insurance card), gives holders the right to access medically necessary healthcare during visits to the UK. 

Under the EU/UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, healthcare services required during a visit are free, as there are no co-payments involved, unlike in France where you may need to cover part of the cost of treatment.

UK state pensioners with British S1 forms

UK nationals who hold an S1 form and a British-issued Ehic or Ghic card can use these cards for healthcare services when visiting other countries in the EU, but not in the UK. 

However, if you are a UK state pensioner who was living in France prior to Brexit and are thus covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, you are still entitled as part of this status to use NHS services for free during visits to the UK. 

Take a copy of your S1 with you as well as your WA card.

Healthcare for UK pensioners in France who moved from 2021

Initially, after Brexit, UK state pensioners who moved over from 2021 (so are not covered by the Brexit WA) were not eligible for free NHS treatment during visits to the UK. 

As they are not able to apply for a French Ceam card either, they were advised they should look to take out travel insurance including a health element for visits to the UK. 

However, more recently, there have been some changes, with UK authorities now stating that all UK state pensioners with S1 forms can access the NHS fully free of charge on visits to England.

The website linked above states, however, that the rules may vary in the other countries of the UK.

With regard to Scotland, we have obtained the following information:

• UK state pensioners who are living abroad permanently can receive hospital treatment, the need for which arises during a visit to Scotland, at no charge providing they have had at least 10 years continuous residency in the UK, or a minimum 10 years of service as a UK crown servant. 
• This is set out under the terms of the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) (Scotland) Regulations 1989, which place a duty on healthcare providers in Scottish hospitals to assess overseas patients to determine if they are chargeable for hospital or tertiary treatment.
• Anyone, regardless of their residence status, or the length of time they will be in Scotland, can receive general medical services from a GP/medical practice at no charge.
  

We sought clarifications from the Welsh government and Northern Ireland executive on the rules in their areas, but they did not respond to our queries. 

Free NHS services in the UK for all visitors

It is important to note that some NHS services are available for free to everyone, including visitors from abroad. This includes:

• GP visits (though the GP must agree to treat you as a temporary patient)

• Emergency treatment in A&E departments (but not follow-up care if admitted as an inpatient)

• Treatment for most infectious diseases, including STIs

Note that in the UK, non-emergency hospital treatments require a GP referral. 

Urgent care and treatments that cannot wait until you return home will always be provided, and any payments required will be dealt with later.

Some other types of former UK residents do not have to pay for NHS treatment when visiting the UK including UK war pensioners and UK government employees.

For more information on accessing NHS services as a visitor, refer to the official UK website.