A Guide to the NHS for Migrants and Asylum seekers

Primary Care

Anyone can register with an NHS GP and see a Doctor or Nurse free of charge, regardless of nationality or immigration status.

There is no requirement to show proof of address or identity to register with us. But it is helpful to do so, and we will generally ask patients to provide documents if they can.

Likewise, there is no requirement to prove your immigration status. This applies to everyone, including asylum seekers, refugees, people who are homeless or visiting from overseas.

We provide high-quality NHS services to everyone regardless of race, religion, nationality, age, ability, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Free NHS Services

Primary Care – meaning seeing a Doctor, Nurse or another clinician in a GP surgery – is free to everyone regardless of nationality or immigration status.

While a refugee or asylum seeker is in the process of having their case heard, all NHS services are available to them at no cost. This includes prescriptions for medication and secondary care treatment in a hospital, for example.

For people who are not normally residents in the UK, then some costs will apply when accessing hospital and other secondary care.

This video explains the entitlements to NHS primary care services as well as other entitlements.

You can find a complete guide to migrant health, including secondary (hospital) care and NHS dentistry.

Registering with a GP

You can follow this link to find out how to register with us as a new patient. The page also covers emergency treatment and registering as a temporary resident.

Additional Support

We want communication with all patients to be as easy as possible for everyone.

Our GP practices and all other NHS providers are responsible for making arrangements to improve communication with patients. We are required to provide interpreters for people who do not speak English as a first language and to provide translated materials where possible.