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Medical advice whilst abroad
Posted or Updated on 15 Oct 2025
By law, the NHS ceases to have responsibility for the medical care of patients when they leave the UK. People traveling within Europe are advised to carry an authorised Health Insurance Card at all times and this gives entitlement to reduced cost (and sometimes free) medical treatment. Patients should be advised to check specific entitlements prior to travel.
- For patients who will be out of the country for less than 3 months, it is reasonable to provide sufficient medicines for an existing condition (i.e. asthma, diabetes)
- For patients leaving the country for more than 3 months, they should be advised to register with a local doctor for their continuing medical needs. It is reasonable for GPs to provide sufficient medication to give patients time to do this.
GPs are not required by their Terms of Service to provide prescriptions for the treatment of a condition that is not present and may arise while the patient is abroad, this also includes sick note requests and appointments. Clinicians are also not indemnified or insured to give medical advice or treatment while the patient is outside of the UK
Persons who have left the UK, or who are intending to leave the UK, for more than 3 months are not allowed to continue to be registered with a practice. The surgery will deduct patients if they are advised the patient will be out of the country for longer than this time. Please note, if a patient returns to the UK, and wishes to re-register, this will follow the same process and time frame as a new patient.
The NHS accepts responsibility for supplying ongoing medication for temporary periods abroad of up to 3 months. If a person is going to be abroad for more than three months then all that the patient is entitled to at NHS expense is a sufficient supply of his/her regular medication in order to get to their destination, where they should then find an alternative supply of that medication.