Within the EEA/EFTA and Switzerland
Reciprocal Healthcare Arrangements with European Economic Area (EEA) European Free Trade Association (EFTA) States – Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland
Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein
The UK Government has agreed healthcare arrangements with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein which came into force on 1 January 2024. From 1 January 2024:
- UK pensioners, posted workers and frontier workers (those that live in one country and work in another) can access comprehensive state healthcare in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein via the S1 certificate where eligible. Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein residents holding a state issued S1 certificate can access healthcare in the UK in the same way.
- UK residents and their family members can access planned healthcare and maternity treatment in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein via an S2 Certificate.
The UK Government will pay Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein for treatment of UK patients in that country who hold an GHIC, EHIC, UK EHIC, S1 or S2 certificate. Some countries require payment in advance and patients can claim these costs back from the UK Government.
Patients from Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein who receive treatment in the UK and hold an EHIC, S1 or S2 certificate will have those costs paid to the UK Government by that country.
Students from Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge must be paid when applying for their student visa. Students may be able to get back the money that they paid for the IHS if eligible.
All UK travellers to Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein are strongly advised to obtain travel insurance in addition to the GHIC, EHIC or UK EHIC as these may not cover all costs resulting from medically necessary treatment e.g., repatriation. You could be charged for some or all of the healthcare you receive.
Switzerland
The arrangements within this Convention are similar to those reached with the EU and Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. These include:
- Medically necessary healthcare when visiting either UK or Switzerland using an EHIC or GHIC. Eligible Swiss residents can use their EHIC to receive care in the UK at the same cost as a UK resident.
- Comprehensive state healthcare via the S1 certificate for individuals exporting their state pension, maternity allowance to the other state, or for frontier workers, posted workers and other cross border workers.
- Access to planned treatment via S2 certificate for eligible residents of either State to receive treatment from the other state if it cannot be accessed within a medically justifiable timeframe from your Local Health Board or Trust.
- Equal treatment so that individuals covered under this Convention will have the same healthcare entitlements and obligations as nationals of the other State in the same position, regardless of whether they hold an EHIC, S1 or S2 certificate.
- Reimbursement of the Immigration Health Surcharge for individuals who have a valid S1 or for eligible students in full time higher education.
There are some differences:
- The Convention covers UK nationals, Swiss nationals, UK citizens, refugees, stateless persons, and dependents of these regardless of nationality. It is not necessary to check the nationality of people presenting their Swiss EHIC in the UK because in Switzerland only eligible individuals are given the Swiss EHIC thus everyone who has the EHIC will be covered.
- Individuals who fall outside of the categories above are unable to claim equal treatment in UK or Switzerland and will therefore be chargeable. There is no change for Swiss resident non-EU third country nationals who receive care in the UK.
All UK travellers to Switzerland are strongly advised to obtain travel insurance in addition to the GHIC, EHIC or UK EHIC as these may not cover all costs resulting from medically necessary treatment e.g., repatriation. You could be charged for some or all of the healthcare you receive.
Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) and European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and European Health Insurance Card (UK EHIC)
GHIC, EHIC and UK EHIC give UK residents travelling in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland access to emergency and medically necessary healthcare, including medically necessary treatment for a pre-existing or chronic condition. These cards cannot be used for any planned medical treatment.
The GHIC replaces EHIC, which remains valid in the EU until its expiry date. The UK EHIC is retained for certain individuals with rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
You can apply for a new GHIC, or UK EHIC free of charge at Healthcare Cover Abroad - EHIC and GHIC, where further details regarding entitlement and coverage of the schemes may be found.
If you need medical treatment and do not have your GHIC, EHIC, UK EHIC , you will need to apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) to evidence your entitlement.
Click here for information on Foreign Travel Insurance on the UK Government pages.
You should check what is covered by your GHIC or EHIC or UK EHIC for the country you are visiting: European Health Insurance Card.
Withdrawal Agreement
If you are covered by the EU Withdrawal Agreement your healthcare rights remain as they were prior to 31 December 2020.
Planned Medical Treatment– S2 Funding Route
You may be entitled to NHS funding for planned state healthcare treatment in an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland with an S2 certificate.
Please see our page on Planned Medical Treatment in the EU, EEA/EFTA and Switzerland – S2 Funding Route
Healthcare in Wales after 1 January 2021
If you are a citizen of the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland who lived lawfully in Wales before 31 December 2020, you can use the NHS in Wales and access NHS services free of charge provided you have successfully applied to the EU Settlement Scheme for settled or pre-settled status, applied and hold a Certificate of Application whilst awaiting determination, or have made an appeal awaiting determination.
Additional support and guidance: EU Settlement Scheme.
Studying in the UK
If you are a citizen of the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland and began studying at an accredited high education institute in the UK on or before 31 December 2020, you can use your EHIC for medical necessary healthcare until the end of the course.
If the course extended beyond 30 June 2021, you can apply for the EU Settlement Scheme if you or your family are from the EU, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland and were living in the UK by 31 December 2020.
Where the course began after 1 January 2021 and lasts for more than 6 months, the Immigration Health Surcharge must be paid when applying for your student visa. You may be able to get back the money you paid for the IHS if eligible.
Last Updated: 11/01/2024 14:16:31