Health care for former UK residents now working abroad

If you are a former UK resident and you work abroad, this factsheet
tells you how you can get health care from the NHS when you are
in Scotland.

Can I get health care from the NHS when I visit Scotland?

If you work anywhere outside the UK you can get health care from the NHS in Scotland if you lived in the UK legally for more than 10 years before moving abroad, and:

you have worked abroad for less than five years, or
you have worked abroad for five years or more, and:

you have come back to the UK for a visit at least once every two years, or
your contract of employment allows you to visit the UK at least once every two years, or
your employer will pay for the cost of your return to the UK at the end of your contract.

If you work in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you can get health care from the NHS in Scotland if:

you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued in the country where you work, or
you pay UK National Insurance contributions (your employer will be able to tell you about this).

The UK has special health care arrangements with some countries outside the EEA. If you live in one of those countries, you can get some health care from the NHS when you are visiting Scotland. For more information, call the NHS inform Helpline on 0800 22 44 88 or ask staff at a GP surgery or hospital.

Page last edited: 20 February 2013

Feeling unwell?What happens if I need health care in Scotland?