The NHS can feel like a maze when you first arrive: who can use it, what is free, how you get seen, and what the letters like GP, A&E and 111 actually mean. This guide is the map. It explains how UK healthcare works for newcomers, the few things you do pay for, and how to get care the right way, then links to a detailed walkthrough for each step.
Everything here is based on NHS and official guidance and covers England, where charges differ from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is general information, not medical advice.
How the NHS works
The NHS provides most healthcare free at the point of use, funded through taxation. If you are on a visa, you usually pay towards it in advance through the Immigration Health Surcharge, which gives you broadly the same access as a resident. Once you are here, care is organised around your GP, a local family doctor who is your first point of contact for most health needs.
Your first step: register with a GP
Registering with a GP surgery is the single most important thing to do for your health after arriving, and it is free. You do not need ID, proof of address, or proof of immigration status to register. Doing this also gets you into the NHS system and triggers your NHS number.
Read the full walkthrough: How to register with a GP.
Your NHS number
An NHS number is your unique reference across the health service. Most newcomers get one automatically when they first register with a GP. It is free and stays with you for life.
Read the full walkthrough: How to get an NHS number.
What you pay for
Seeing a GP and hospital treatment are free, but a few everyday services carry a fixed charge in England, such as prescriptions, dental care and some eye care. Many people are exempt.
Read the full walkthrough: NHS costs explained: prescriptions, dental and eye care.
How to get care when you need it
The NHS has different services for different needs, and using the right one saves you time. A pharmacy handles minor illness, your GP handles ongoing and non-urgent care, NHS 111 advises when you are unsure, and A&E or 999 is for emergencies only.
Read the full walkthrough: How to use the NHS: GP, pharmacy, 111 and A&E.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the NHS as soon as I arrive?
Yes. If you paid the Immigration Health Surcharge with your visa, you have access to NHS care. Your first step is to register with a local GP.
Do I need documents to register with a GP?
No. You do not need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status. A surgery cannot refuse you for lacking these.
Is NHS treatment free?
GP appointments and hospital care are free at the point of use. Prescriptions, dental and some eye care carry set charges in England, though many people are exempt.
What is the difference between 111 and 999?
Call 111 for urgent but non-life-threatening advice. Call 999 or go to A&E only for serious emergencies, such as chest pain, severe bleeding or loss of consciousness.
