Healthcare in Scotland

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How healthcare works in Scotland

Free healthcare is available to all people living in Scotland. We’re committed to creating a healthier Scotland, so we’ll take good care of your health.

Scotland’s healthcare system is the National Health Service Scotland (NHS Scotland).

Needs-based system

NHS Scotland works on a needs-based system. You'll get the treatment that you need - not the treatment you can afford.

Free Prescriptions

Healthcare has long been a priority for Scotland, which is why we’ve pioneered many medical innovations that continue to improve people’s health and save lives today across many different areas of public health..

In 2011, Scotland became the only country in the UK to remove prescription fees. A prescription is a written order from a doctor, nurse, or other qualified healthcare professional that lets you get medicine from a pharmacy. This means people in Scotland do not have to pay for their medicine.

Find out more about the NHS (nhsinform.scot)

Find healthcare services near you at Scotland's Service Directory (nhsinform.scot)




What you need to do when you arrive

Register with a GP

In Scotland, family doctors are called General Medical Practitioners or GPs.

They work in local medical practices, health centres or GP surgeries.

Your GP looks after your general medical problems and minor illnesses. They work with community healthcare specialists, like nurses. They can refer you to specialists if needed. 

You should register with a GP as soon as possible after you arrive in Scotland.

If you’re a student, your university will normally give you the name of a GP in the area or on campus.

Find out how to register with a GP practice (nhsinform.scot)

Find your local medical centre (nhsinform.scot)

Private healthcare

Private healthcare is available in Scotland. It’s normally paid for through a private healthcare insurance scheme or individuals.

Register with a dentist

NHS dentists


In Scotland, you can get dental treatment from the NHS. Your NHS dentist will give advice, care and treatments to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy. NHS dental services cover a range of treatments, such as check-ups, fillings, and more. 

Everyone in Scotland is entitled to free NHS dental examinations. You normally have to pay a proportion of the cost of any NHS dental treatment following your examination. You’re entitled to free NHS dental treatment if you:

• Are under the age of 26
• Are pregnant
• Have had a baby in the last 12 months
• Get certain benefits or hold an income-based exemption from charge

The dentist will tell you if you need any treatment and the likely cost. They must also give you an itemised account, if you ask for one.

Find out more about dental treatment costs (nhsinform.scot)

Private dentists

Not all dentists offer NHS treatment. Some offer both private treatment and NHS. When you register with a dentist, check if they accept NHS patients.

It can be difficult to find a dentist that is accepting new NHS patients. This is because there is a high demand for NHS dentists. If you cannot find an NHS dentist to register with, you can register with a private dentist. Private dental care is more expensive than the NHS.

Dentists can set their own fees for private work. Make sure you understand the costs before you agree to treatment.

Make sure you and your family have access to dental care by registering with a dentist shortly after you arrive in Scotland.

You can find your local dentist on NHS inform (nhsinform.scot)

24-hour care

You can call 111 for free to talk to NHS 24.

You can call NHS 24 if you:

• Are ill outside of normal GP opening times
• Have a medical query that is not an emergency

NHS 24 give 24-hour advice by phone. They might refer you to local health services if needed.

You should call 999 in a medical emergency, when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.





Your visa and healthcare access

Immigration health surcharge

Visa applications are controlled by the UK government.  You might have to pay a healthcare surcharge as part of your visa application.

This is known as an immigration health surcharge (IHS). Whether you need to pay depends on the immigration status you’re applying for. If you’ve paid the immigration health surcharge, you can use the NHS free of charge from the date your visa starts.

Find out more about the immigration health surcharge (gov.uk)

Check what healthcare you can get

NHS Scotland is managed by the Scottish Government. Most of NHS Scotland is paid for through taxation. This means that, in Scotland, if you're employed or self-employed, you're entitled to free healthcare from the NHS.

Your spouse and your immediate family will be entitled to free healthcare too. Students on a full-time course receive the same free care as employed or self-employed migrants in Scotland. If you're studying part-time, you could also be eligible for free NHS treatment.

Some NHS services are free regardless of the type of permission you have to live in Scotland. This includes:

• Accident and emergency treatment
• Family planning services
• Treatment for some infectious diseases
• Most general practice services - including medical advice from a family doctor, called a General Practitioner (GP)

Find out more about General practice services (nhsinform.scot)

Find out more about healthcare for overseas visitors (nhsinform.scot)

You might need to pay for:

• Some dental treatment
• Some optical treatment – but eye examinations are free in Scotland
• A prescription if it was written in England

Additional support

Mental health services

There is a range of in person and online mental health support available across Scotland for both children and young people, and adults. 

Disability support

If you’re disabled, there are services available to support you. We want to remove anything that makes life unfair or difficult so that you have the same opportunities as people who are not disabled.

For example, you can get help with:

• Education, training and employment
• Social care services
• Equipment and adaptations
• Equality and legal rights

Learn more about rights and opportunities for disabled people in Scotland (disabilityscot.org.uk)
 

Social care

Social care is support given to you if you need help with daily tasks. Social care support in Scotland is arranged by your local council.  

You might be entitled to social care if you’re older, disabled or have health issues. Social care includes services like:

• Personal care
• Help at home
• Support for independent living

The council does a free assessment to decide:

• Whether you need social care support
• What your needs are

Find out what social care services you could get (citizensadvice.org.uk)

Some children can also get support from the local council. 

Find out about children who need local council services (citizensadvice.org.uk)