Medical treatment in the UK

Source: Scottish Enterprise Biotech Source Book

With few exceptions, visitors to the UK are not entitled to free medical treatment and healthcare. Any treatment received will be charged accordingly, therefore visitors should acquire sufficient medical insurance for the duration of their stay.

Scottish Healthcare, whether National Health Service (NHS) or private, provides high quality care.

For all foreign nationals visiting or working in Scotland, access to the National Health Service is as follows:

• If you are a resident in Scotland for 6 months or longer you become eligible for free medical care and treatment. Registration with a General Practitioner (GP) is required for treatment.
  
  
• If you are a resident for less than 6 months you are entitled to free emergency healthcare. Admission to hospital for any non-emergency treatment will need to be paid for.

Medical insurance is essential to cover any unforeseen circumstances.