Were you treated whilst abroad, had to pay the bill yourself, and are wondering how to get your money back? This tool creates the written reimbursement claim to the NHS Overseas Healthcare Team or your private/travel insurance and shows you the typical process for your destination, along with the documents you should attach.
Editorially reviewed on: 26/10/2026
When you fall ill or get injured whilst travelling, you are often asked to pay out-of-pocket, even though you are entitled to NHS care at home. After returning to the UK, you can often recover some or all of the costs. Three questions are decisive: where were you treated, what cover do you have, and what documentation do you have? The generator above walks you through exactly these points and creates a factual claim letter.
UK residents are entitled to state-provided medically necessary healthcare in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland when using a valid GHIC (UK Global Health Insurance Card) or an existing EHIC (until its expiry date). You receive treatment on the same terms as a resident of that country, including any co-payments they would have to pay. If a doctor or hospital was private or your card could not be used, you can submit the costs to the NHS Overseas Healthcare Team for reimbursement after returning home.
The UK has reciprocal healthcare agreements with a small number of countries outside Europe (e.g. Australia, New Zealand and some British Overseas Territories). These agreements generally cover necessary healthcare during a temporary stay. Always check the latest guidance on NHS.uk before you travel, as entitlements vary by country.
| Destination | NHS Cover | Typical Route |
|---|---|---|
| EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland | GHIC (or valid EHIC) accepted at state providers | If self-paid, submit reimbursement claim to the NHS Overseas Healthcare Team at the state rate of the country visited |
| Reciprocal agreement countries (e.g. Australia, NZ) | Limited necessary care under reciprocal agreements | Verify eligibility on NHS.uk; submit claim to NHS Overseas Healthcare Team |
| All other countries | Generally no NHS cover for holiday-related treatment | Travel insurance or your Private Medical Insurance (PMI) |
The NHS only reimburses up to the cost that would have been covered by the state system of the country you were visiting. Private hospitals or doctors often charge significantly more than state rates. Co-payments that local residents would also have to pay are not reimbursed. You may be able to claim the difference through travel insurance or a Private Medical Insurance policy, if the terms allow.
Private Medical Insurance and Travel Insurance pay according to their policy terms. Key factors are the geographical cover, any excess, and notification requirements. Travel insurance policies typically require that a claim be reported immediately, and for hospital admissions often whilst you are still abroad. The original itemised bill with proof of payment is almost always required. Many travel policies only pay what the NHS does not cover.
Original itemised bill with treatment date and description of services, proof of payment, medical report or hospital discharge summary, prescription receipts, and if applicable, a copy of your GHIC or EHIC. Foreign-language documents should be translated where possible, or at least have the essential information summarised. The NHS or insurer may request additional documentation.
This tool processes your input exclusively locally in your browser; no data is transmitted to our server. No diagnosis is required in the claim letter itself. Medical details belong in the treatment records, which you send exclusively to the NHS or your insurer. This is consistent with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
The claim structure is the same across the NHS Overseas Healthcare Team and most insurers. Differences mainly concern submission channels (post, portal, app) and the correct claims address. The letter above can therefore be used for the following providers, among others:
There is no affiliation between Fix my Trip and the organisations listed above. The mention is solely for orientation purposes.
The NHS does not normally pay for healthcare abroad, but UK residents can receive state-provided medically necessary treatment in EU countries, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland using a valid GHIC or existing EHIC. If you paid out-of-pocket, you can apply for reimbursement through the NHS Overseas Healthcare Team.
Keep the original itemised bill, proof of payment and any medical reports. Submit these to the NHS Overseas Healthcare Team after returning home. Explain in your claim why the card could not be used. Whether and how much is reimbursed is decided by the NHS team based on the state healthcare rates of the country you visited.
The NHS only reimburses up to the cost that would have been covered by the state system of the country you were in. Private hospitals or doctors often charge more than state rates. Any co-payments that local residents would also have to pay are not reimbursed. Travel insurance may cover the difference.
Travel insurance is designed for emergencies abroad and typically covers medical costs, repatriation, and cancellation. It often acts alongside the NHS – the NHS covers what it is obliged to, and travel insurance covers the rest (e.g. private treatment, air ambulance, repatriation). Always check your policy terms and notify your insurer promptly.
For NHS overseas reimbursement, you should submit your claim within 12 months of the treatment date, although later claims may still be considered in exceptional circumstances. Travel insurance policies usually have strict deadlines, often 30-90 days after returning home. Submit your claim as soon as possible.
Only submit copies unless the NHS or insurer explicitly requires originals, and keep a complete copy of your claim for your records. For larger amounts, contact the NHS Overseas Healthcare Team or your insurer in advance to confirm exactly which documents they need. If a claim is declined, you have the right to request a review or appeal; the decision letter will explain the process and any deadlines.
Our guides and generators evaluate legal frameworks and public administrative information. They are developed by Marc (Project Lead) & team to provide travellers with structured self-help for travel-related issues.
Important Note: This page does not provide medical advice or individualised legal or insurance advice. For questions about your entitlement, please contact the NHS Overseas Healthcare Team, your insurer, or Citizens Advice.
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