NHS treatment is not classed as a public fund for immigration purposes and can be accessed by person who has the ‘no recourse to public funds’ (NRPF) condition. However, a person’s immigration status will affect whether they are required to pay for some types of treatment. If a person has paid the Immigration Health Surcharge, they will be able to access most healthcare services, including secondary healthcare, without further charges.
In Scotland the following healthcare services are free for anyone regardless of their immigration status. These include:
The National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) (Scotland) Regulations 1989 outline which NHS services are chargeable to overseas visitors. Secondary healthcare services, including most hospital care, are chargeable to anyone who is not ordinarily resident.
A person is considered ordinarily resident if they live in the UK, have leave to remain for settled purposes and for at least 6 months, and are not a visitor. Generally, anyone who has leave to remain and who is not in the UK as a visitor therefore should be able to access free secondary healthcare. Some groups such as people seeking asylum or appeal rights exhausted asylum seekers are exempt from charges and can access free secondary healthcare.
A person can be charged for secondary healthcare if they are not ordinarily resident, have not paid the Immigration Health Surcharge, and are not in an exempt group. Please refer to regulations for the full list of groups that are exempt from charging.
Further information on NHS charges in Scotland is available from the Scottish government.
The NHS Low Income Scheme can provide help with the costs of some healthcare services such as dental treatment, travel to medical appointments, and help the costs of glasses/lenses.
The scheme is available to people who are in receipt of certain welfare benefits and who are on a low income. However, when a person cannot access any of the qualifying benefits, such as because of the NRPF condition, a person may still be able to access this support.
For more information on how to apply see NHS Scotland’s website.
