Health Insurance

The National Health Service (NHS ) is responsible to guarantee free medical treatment to persons who live in Great Britain.

The British Council advises to visit a local doctor directly after the arrival and to register yourself with him on the NHS list instead of waiting for the fact that you need him because of a disease. After the registration, you will receive an assurance ticket with your own NHS number. Who claims NHS , does not pay for the practice visit.

If you find no doctor, you should consult the Primary Care Trust . The Primary Care Trust is obliged to find you a doctor. The same applies for dentists. With dental treatments, additional payments must be usually performed. In addition you receives tips also from the university directly.

Health Insurance for Foreign Students

As a foreign student, you have the right to claim NHS when:

•    a study that lasts longer than six months is approved;
•    a full-time course in Scotland is approved, no matter how long this lasts;
•    you are admitted to a program in England or Wales, and at least 35% of the cost of the studies is funded by the British government.

Students who stay for less than six months in Britain to study, still have the right to NHS if they are:

•    citizens of EEA countries or Switzerland;
•    a citizen of a country that has signed a reciprocal health agreement with Britain.

A list of these countries can be found here .

Anyone who claims a medical treatment in Britain, without having the right to NHS , must assume the costs in full for the treatment.

Other Types of Insurance

In the UK, there are three important types of insurance:

•    personal property insurance - guarantees one's possessions against loss or theft;
•    medical insurance - health insurance (see above);
•    motor insurance - is needed to enter Britain to drive by car or motorcycle.