An ’Overseas Visitor’ is defined as a person not ordinarily resident in the UK and, as such, may be charged for NHS services. This could be a short term resident, holidaymaker or traveller. Scottish Government guidelines state that, as a general rule, 6 months is seen as a reasonable period of time for a person to remain lawfully in Scotland before they can be classed as ordinarily resident.
Further information and guidance is available on the Scottish Government Chief Executive letter – Overseas Visitors’ Liability to Pay Charges for NHS Care and Services (April 2010)
How are payments managed?
The Overseas Visitor Administrator works closely with all staff involved in a patient’s care, our finance department, and the Scottish Government to determine what care is chargeable and to raise an invoice covering the cost of all chargeable treatment. Their role is to ensure that patients who are liable to pay for treatment costs are clearly informed and that payment processes are carefully and effectively managed.
What treatment is chargeable?
All emergency NHS treatment is free to all, regardless of their residency status.
Thereafter, all inpatient, outpatient and day case treatment may be liable to charge, however, there are exceptions to this rule and the Overseas Visitor Administrator is able to investigate and advise where required.
What should I bring when visiting the U.K?
What should I bring when visiting the U.K?Ensure you have some sort of health travel insurance prior to your visit that covers you during your stay or holiday. This could be in the form of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) or Private Health Travel Insurance you have acquired independently. Please note that your EHIC does not cover you for repatriation so please ensure you have alternative travel insurance to assist with this if this is required.
If you cannot provide any valid evidence of exemption to healthcare charges, you may incur direct cost for treatment. Should you fail to pay your invoice for treatment, or default in any agreed payment plan, the Home Office will be informed and this may result in you being declined entry into the U.K in the future.
Contact for any Formal or Informal enquiries
Email: fv.overseasvisitoradministration@nhs.scot
Phone: 01324 567340
Page: (01324 566000): 1694
Frequently Asked Questions
- Biometric Residency Permit (BRP),
- E-Visa Immigration Status Share Code,
- Study/Working Visa,
- European Health insurance Card (EHIC),
- Marriage Certificate, Passports and Spouse Study/Working Visa or BRP.
If you think a different exemption may apply you should discuss this with the Overseas Visitor Administration Team.
Should your personal circumstances mean you cannot afford to cover the cost of the treatment, please discuss this with our Finance team who may be able to assist with setting up a payment plan.
In the event that an invoice is not paid within 2 months, we will pass this to the Home Office, which could result in you being denied entry into the United Kingdom in the future.
