Health in Britain: how to register with a doctor, what is free on the NHS and free medicines

The NHS is free at the point of use for people who live here. The hard part is not the money but knowing where to go and what you are entitled to. Here it is, step by step.

How to register with a GP

Your first point of contact is a GP — a family doctor. Registering is free, and under NHS rules you do not need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status — anyone can register, including new arrivals. Find your nearest surgery by postcode with the NHS “Find a GP” service and apply online, in the NHS App or on paper at the surgery. Confirmation usually arrives within a few days.

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What is free for everyone

Regardless of status, these are free: seeing a GP or nurse, advice by phone and online through NHS 111, A&E and calling an ambulance on 999, emergency treatment, and maternity care. Planned hospital treatment for people who are not considered ordinarily resident (“overseas visitors”) can be charged for — worth checking in advance.

Medicines: where free, where charged

In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland prescriptions are free. In England it is £9.90 per item (the charge is frozen for 2026/27). But many people in England pay nothing. It is free if you are:

— under 16, or 16–18 in full-time education; or aged 60 or over;

— pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months (a MatEx certificate);

— living with one of the long-term conditions on the NHS list (a MedEx certificate);

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— on certain benefits (Universal Credit within the income rules, Income Support and others) or covered by the NHS Low Income Scheme (an HC2 certificate).

If you often need medicines but have no exemption, a prepayment certificate (PPC) pays off: £32.05 for three months or £114.50 for a year (worth it from about 11 items a year).

Where to look

— a GP, dentist, pharmacy or A&E near you — through the search on the NHS website;

— an urgent but non-emergency problem — NHS 111 (call or online);

— a life-threatening emergency — 999.

This is a reference, not medical advice: the rules differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and you should check the list of exemptions and conditions on the NHS site for your nation.