Immigration Health Surcharge Now in Place in UK

People from countries outwith the European Economic Area (EEA), who come to the United Kingdom for six months or longer, now need to pay a ‘health surcharge’.

The legislation that introduced said surcharge, which needs to be paid when immigration applications are made, came into effect in April of this year.

Non-EEA nationals, who are currently in the UK and want to extend their visa, are also required to make payment, which stands at £200 per year and £150 per year for students, while those on a tourist visa are not required to pay the health surcharge. Instead tourists from outwith the European Economic Area (EEA) remain liable for the costs of NHS treatment.

The aim of the new surcharge is to make sure that migrants contribute to the cost of any NHS care they receive.

Commenting, James Brokenshire, who is the Immigration and Security Minister, stated:

“The health surcharge will play a vital role in ensuring Britain’s most cherished public service is provided on a basis that is fair to all who use it. For generations, the British public have paid their taxes to help make the NHS what it is today – the surcharge will mean temporary migrants will also pay their way.”

“Our health services will still be available to all those who need them, but now people coming from outside the EEA will make a fair contribution to the costs of healthcare incurred by temporary migrants living in the UK.”

“And by keeping the surcharge at a competitive level, we are also recognising the contribution temporary migrants make to the wider economy.”

Also commenting, Lord Howe, the UK Health Minister said:

“We want international visitors to feel welcome to use the NHS, provided they pay for it — just as families in the UK do through their taxes, so we are making sure that overseas visitors and migrants pay for NHS healthcare and helping NHS staff to understand the charging system.”

For more information on the on the healthcare surcharge, please visit:

https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application

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