Close
Whether international students have free access to public healthcare through the National Health Service (NHS) or need private health insurance is based on their immigration status in the UK.
- International students studying for 6 months or longer;
- International students studying for less than 6 months;
- private medical insurance;
- Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
International students studying for 6 months or longer
International students studying for 6 months or longer will either be in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme or a visa which included paying the Immigration Health Surcharge e.g. the Student visa. Both have free access to the National Health Service (NHS) but will prove this access in different ways.
International students with pre-settled/settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
International students with pre-settled/settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme and studying in the UK for 6 months or more will have free access the National Health Service (NHS). Their proof of pre-settled/settled status is proof of their right to access the NHS.
International students coming into the UK on a Student visa/a visa which included paying the Immigration Health Surcharge
International students coming into the UK on a Student visa or any other visa which included paying the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of their visa application and will have free access to the National Health Service (NHS). Their proof of their right to use the NHS will be their Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).
They will be able to register with a GP as a permanent patient.
Visit the UK Government website for more information on the Immigration Health Surcharge.
International students studying for less than 6 months
International students studying for less than 6 months need to check their immigration status in the UK to see whether they have free access to the National Health Service (NHS) or if they need to get private health insurance.
International students with pre-settled/settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
International students with pre-settled/settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme and studying in the UK for less than 6 months will have free access the National Health Service (NHS). Their proof of pre-settled/settled status is proof of their right to access the NHS.
As they will be in the UK for less than 6 months, they may only be able to register with a GP as a temporary patient.
International students coming into the UK on a Standard Visitor Visa or as non-visa nationals
International students coming into the UK on a Standard Visitor Visa or as non-visa nationals will not have free access to the National Health Service (NHS). They should ensure that they have private health insurance for the duration of your time in the UK. Their private health insurance should be obtained before they arrive in the UK. The type of healthcare they are entitled to will depend on the terms of their individual private health insurance policy so it is important that they fully understand what range of healthcare it offers.
They will most likely use a private clinic as their GP. NHS GPs have discretionary powers over whether they see private patients and if they do choose to see them, will most likely charge a fee.
Visit UKCISA’s website for information on private health insurance for students in the UK.
Private medical insurance
- If you are only studying in the UK for six months or less and you don't have pre-settled/settled status, you are advised to obtain private medical insurance as you will be liable for any NHS health services that you use.
- If you are studying in the UK for more than six months, you may still wish to consider private health insurance as well as there can be longer waiting times for some secondary NHS services. With private medical insurance, you can also ensure you are covered for other medical-related costs that are not covered by the NHS. However, medical insurance is not compulsory and it is your decision whether you wish to purchase it or not.
- If you have medical insurance in your home country, be sure to check whether you can extend this plan to include your stay in the UK as well as considering options from UK health insurers.
- UCL does not endorse or recommend a specific insurance company, however we have provided links to some of the major health insurance providers in the UK below:
Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
The GHIC allows UK residents to access state-provided, emergency and medically necessary healthcare whilst on temporary trips to the 27 EU countries. The GHIC has been introduced to replace the old European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs), which will be phased out. Your old EHIC will still be valid until the expiry date. At which point, you should then apply for a GHIC or a new EHIC.
International students with pre-settled/settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme can continue to use their existing EHICs until expiry. At which point they can then apply for a new EHIC. Please visit the NHS website for more information on the new EHIC.
International students in the UK on a Student visa or visa which included paying the Immigration Health Surcharge can apply for a GHIC. Please visit the NHS website for more information on the GHIC
International students here on a Standard Visitor Visa will not be able to apply for either a GHIC or a new EHIC. They should get private travel insurance for any temporary trips they make outside of the UK.
All eligible international students are advised by the NHS to apply for their GHIC via the form from the NHS website.
You are not entitled to a GHIC if you're insured by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland but live in the UK. You should contact the relevant authority in the country you're insured by and request an EHIC.
Be advised that the GHIC does not provide cover in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. It is advised that you take out private travel insurance if you travel to these countries.
Old and new EHICs will continue to provide cover in the 27 EU countries as well as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
GHICs and EHICs are free to apply for. Please only apply via the NHS. Do not use websites which ask for credit/debit card details.
Be advised that a GHIC or an EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. GHICs and EHICs only provide emergency and medically necessary, state-provided healthcare. It does not cover accidents occurred during recreational accidents such as skiing and does not cover loss of luggage. Also take out travel insurance when visiting another country.
Please visit the UK Government website for information on the announcement of the new GHIC.
Please visit the NHS website for information on the GHIC and new EHIC.
Please visit the Schengen Visa website for more information on EHICs.