An ’Overseas visitor’ is defined as a person not ordinarily resident in the UK and, accordingly, may be charged for NHS services. This could be a short term resident, holidaymaker or traveller. 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?
An Overseas Visitor Administrator works closely with staff involved in the patient’s care, our local finance department, and the Scottish Government. Their role is to ensure that patients who are liable for treatment costs are clearly informed where appropriate, and that payment processes are carefully and effectively managed.
As this can be a sensitive issue, the patient’s care is always a priority. Any concerns raised are reviewed by the relevant departments. The administrator also gathers information from these departments to prepare an invoice covering the cost of all relevant care and treatment.
What treatment is chargeable?
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 int he 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, please ensure you have alternative travel insurance to assist with this if this is required.
Should you not have any of the above, you may incur direct cost for treatment. Should you be invoiced for treatment and not pay or continue with an agreed payment plan, this may result in you being declined entry into the U.K in the future as we communicate with the Home Office for all unpaid invoices
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.
