Healthcare in Scotland

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

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.

NHS Scotland was started in 1948, and we’ve had an inclusive health service here for more than a century. In 1913, the Highlands and Islands Medical Service provided free treatment to a population covering more than half of Scotland’s landmass. This service provided doctor, nurse and midwifery services to previously under-serviced and hard to reach parts of Scotland’s remote countryside. This service stayed in place throughout both World Wars before it was replaced by the NHS.

Since then, Scotland’s healthcare system has continued to pioneer 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)

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

Register with a family doctor

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) 

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. 

Sexual health and blood-borne viruses

You have the right to free: 

• Sexual and reproductive healthcare 
• Testing and treatment for blood-borne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis   
• Free health supplies to reduce risks, like condoms and HIV prevention medicine

Your immigration status does not matter for this type of healthcare. All treatment is confidential. It is important for your health and the health of others that you access treatment as soon as possible.

Having a blood borne virus does not affect your immigration status. Services will not share this information with the Home Office.

You can ask your GP to test you for blood borne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis.  You can also book a sexual health appointment online (nhsinform.scot)

If you need treatment for a blood borne virus, you’ll have to attend a specialist service. Your GP can arrange this for you.

Find out more about HIV on NHS inform (nhsinform.scot)

Private healthcare

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

Support for disabled people

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) 

Register with a dentist

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)

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)

Working for NHS Scotland

The Health Boards are jointly the biggest employer in the country. They employ people in over 70 professions. Applications are welcome from qualified healthcare staff, particularly from those based outside the UK.

Find out more about working for NHS Scotland

Mental health

In-person:

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

Community-based mental health support for children, young people and their families is available in every local authority area.

Find out more about community-based mental health support for children and young people (nhs.scot)

Counselling services in secondary schools are available to all children and young people aged ten years and over.

ALISS - A Local Information Service for Scotland - contains information on services, groups and activities for health and wellbeing across Scotland.  The website can be searched by using your area/postcode or by subject, for example, transport or mental health support.

Find out more about ALISS (aliss.org)

Digital:

We know that not everybody feels comfortable with face-to-face support, and that is why we also fund a range of online supports to provide mental health information and advice.

Mind to Mind is Scotland’s lived experience mental wellbeing site for adults, providing advice and support from people with lived experience of common mental wellbeing concerns including anxiety, panic and trouble sleeping.

Find out more about Mind to Mind (nhsinform.scot)

Parent Club provides a range of advice for parents and carers to support the mental health of children, young people and families. This includes mental health and wellbeing.

Find out more about Parent Club (parentclub.scot)

The Aye Feel and  Mind Yer Time resources for children and young people offers information and advice to support their mental health and wellbeing, including resources on grounding techniques, coping with exam stress, and coping with money worries.

Find out more about Aye Feel (young.scot)

Find out more about Mind Yer Time (mindyertime.scot)

Employment:

We know that creating workplaces which support and promote good mental health benefits both individuals and employers.  Supporting a Mentally Healthy Workplace signposts employers to a wide range of free mental health and wellbeing resources and information.

Find out more about Supporting a Mentally Healthy Workplace (healthyworkinglives.scot)

It includes sources of support and advice on understanding mental health, mental health and the law, and staff learning and development opportunities, as well as advice on how to build your organisational culture to support mentally healthy workplaces. It also includes contact details for crisis support services along with wider support services that can help to support mental wellbeing.