Most NHS care is free, but in England you pay set charges for prescriptions, dental treatment and some eye care. A prescription is £9.90 per item, NHS dental care is charged in three bands from £27.90 to £332.10, and eye tests are free for many groups. Many people are exempt from all of these. This guide breaks down what you pay, what is free, and how to pay less.
Prescription charges
In England, a prescription costs £9.90 per item in 2026/27, whatever the medicine. Around nine in ten prescriptions are actually dispensed free, because large groups are exempt, including children under 16, people aged 60 and over, pregnant women and new mothers, and people with certain medical conditions or on qualifying benefits.
Prescriptions are free for everyone in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The charge only applies in England.
Save with a prepayment certificate
If you pay for regular prescriptions, a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) can save money by capping your cost:
| Certificate | Cost | Worth it if |
|---|---|---|
| 3-month PPC | £32.05 | You need more than 3 items in 3 months |
| 12-month PPC | £114.50 | You need more than 11 items a year |
NHS dental charges
NHS dental treatment in England is charged in three bands. You pay a single fixed fee based on the most complex treatment you need during a course of care, not per procedure. From April 2026 the bands are:
| Band | Cost | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | £27.90 | Check-up, X-rays, scale and polish |
| Band 2 | £76.60 | Fillings, extractions, root canal |
| Band 3 | £332.10 | Crowns, bridges, dentures |
NHS dental care is free for under-18s, under-19s in full-time education, pregnant women and new mothers, and people on certain benefits. Finding an NHS dentist taking new patients can be difficult, so it is worth searching early.
Eye tests and glasses
A private eye test costs roughly £22.50 to £25, but NHS-funded sight tests are free for large groups, including:
- Children under 16, and 16 to 18 year-olds in full-time education
- People aged 60 and over
- People diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma
- People on qualifying benefits
Eligible people can also get an optical voucher towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses. Sight tests are free for everyone in Scotland.
Frequently asked questions
How much is an NHS prescription in 2026?
£9.90 per item in England. It is free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and free for many exempt groups in England.
How much does an NHS dentist cost?
You pay one band fee per course of treatment: £27.90 (Band 1), £76.60 (Band 2) or £332.10 (Band 3) from April 2026.
Is a GP appointment free?
Yes. Seeing your GP and hospital treatment are free. The charges here apply only to prescriptions, dental and some eye care.
How can I pay less for regular prescriptions?
Buy a Prescription Prepayment Certificate. At £114.50 a year it caps your cost no matter how many items you need.
For how healthcare fits together, see the NHS guide for newcomers.
