Home > For patients > Charges for overseas visitors

Charges for overseas visitors

If you are visiting the United Kingdom, or have been living outside the UK for more than three months, you may have to pay for hospital treatment whilst here.

Hospital treatment is free to people who ordinarily live in the United Kingdom. If you do not normally live here then you may be required to pay for any treatment you might need. This is regardless of whether you are a British citizen or have lived or worked here in the past.

The term 'overseas visitor' is used to describe people who do not ordinarily live in the United Kingdom, but who have unexpectedly fallen ill during their visit.

If the need for treatment is urgent and cannot wait until your return home, the hospital care will be the same as for any NHS patient. The only difference is that some overseas visitors may be expected to pay for their care (NHS chargeable), whilst for others there are intergovernmental agreements to cover the cost of care (NHS non-chargeable).

If you are not sure whether your treatment is chargeable, please call:

1. Overseas Visitor Co-ordinator
   Mr Paul Barrow: 01865 743009
2. Overseas Administrator
   Miss Vanessa Thomas: 01865 572019