How to Register with a GP (NHS) and See a Doctor
Register with an NHSNational Health Service — The UK's publicly funded healthcare system. Most services are free at the point of use; access depends on immigration status and the immigration health surcharge.Click for official info ↗ GPGeneral Practitioner — Your local NHS family doctor — the first point of contact for healthcare in the UK. Register with a GP surgery to access care.Click for official info ↗ surgery near you — you do not need proof of address or immigration status to register. Book appointments online or by phone, and use 111 or A&E only when appropriate.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official UK sources(2025-Latest).
0 of 6 steps
- Go 20 min
Find a GP surgery near you
Use the NHSNational Health Service — The UK's publicly funded healthcare system. Most services are free at the point of use; access depends on immigration status and the immigration health surcharge.Click for official info ↗ service finder (nhs.uk/service-search) to list surgeries in your catchment area. You can approach any surgery; those outside your catchment may refuse. Check opening hours and online-review ratings before choosing.
Click to mark as done
- Fill / Prepare 30 min
Register with the surgery
Complete the GMS1 registration form (paper at the surgery or online where offered). You do NOT need proof of address, immigration status, or an NHSNational Health Service — The UK's publicly funded healthcare system. Most services are free at the point of use; access depends on immigration status and the immigration health surcharge.Click for official info ↗ number to register — NHSNational Health Service — The UK's publicly funded healthcare system. Most services are free at the point of use; access depends on immigration status and the immigration health surcharge.Click for official info ↗ guidance is explicit. Most surgeries accept same-day or same-week registration.
Click to mark as done
- Wait A few days
Get your NHS number
Once registered, your records transfer (usually within days) and you receive an NHSNational Health Service — The UK's publicly funded healthcare system. Most services are free at the point of use; access depends on immigration status and the immigration health surcharge.Click for official info ↗ number — a 10-digit ID that follows you across NHSNational Health Service — The UK's publicly funded healthcare system. Most services are free at the point of use; access depends on immigration status and the immigration health surcharge.Click for official info ↗ services. Download the NHSNational Health Service — The UK's publicly funded healthcare system. Most services are free at the point of use; access depends on immigration status and the immigration health surcharge.Click for official info ↗ App to see your records, order repeat prescriptions, and book appointments.
Click to mark as done
- Go
Book appointments the smart way
Most surgeries release appointments at 8am — phone then, or book online via the NHSNational Health Service — The UK's publicly funded healthcare system. Most services are free at the point of use; access depends on immigration status and the immigration health surcharge.Click for official info ↗ App. Ask about extended-hours and same-day "urgent" slots. For minor illness, a pharmacist can often help without an appointment (no GPGeneral Practitioner — Your local NHS family doctor — the first point of contact for healthcare in the UK. Register with a GP surgery to access care.Click for official info ↗ visit needed).
Click to mark as done
- Follow Up
Know the alternatives before A&E
Urgent but not life-threatening: call 111 (24/7, free) or use 111 online — they triage and book out-of-hours GPs. A&E/999: chest pain, severe bleeding, breathing difficulty. Migrants may be charged for some secondary care (hospital) — GPGeneral Practitioner — Your local NHS family doctor — the first point of contact for healthcare in the UK. Register with a GP surgery to access care.Click for official info ↗ and A&E services are still your access route.
Click to mark as done
- Receive —
Use your records as you go
Keep your NHSNational Health Service — The UK's publicly funded healthcare system. Most services are free at the point of use; access depends on immigration status and the immigration health surcharge.Click for official info ↗ number noted, keep the NHSNational Health Service — The UK's publicly funded healthcare system. Most services are free at the point of use; access depends on immigration status and the immigration health surcharge.Click for official info ↗ App installed, and keep your GPGeneral Practitioner — Your local NHS family doctor — the first point of contact for healthcare in the UK. Register with a GP surgery to access care.Click for official info ↗ as the coordinator for referrals, vaccinations, and repeat prescriptions. Travel vaccines, cervical screening, and childhood immunisations all route through the surgery.
Click to mark as done
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register with a GP if I am an undocumented migrant?
Yes. NHSNational Health Service — The UK's publicly funded healthcare system. Most services are free at the point of use; access depends on immigration status and the immigration health surcharge.Click for official info ↗ guidance is clear: GPGeneral Practitioner — Your local NHS family doctor — the first point of contact for healthcare in the UK. Register with a GP surgery to access care.Click for official info ↗ registration must not be refused for lack of ID, address, or immigration status. You can register as an "NHSNational Health Service — The UK's publicly funded healthcare system. Most services are free at the point of use; access depends on immigration status and the immigration health surcharge.Click for official info ↗ patient without a permanent address". Hospital care may be chargeable, but primary care through a GPGeneral Practitioner — Your local NHS family doctor — the first point of contact for healthcare in the UK. Register with a GP surgery to access care.Click for official info ↗ is not.
Is the NHS really free for immigrants?
GPGeneral Practitioner — Your local NHS family doctor — the first point of contact for healthcare in the UK. Register with a GP surgery to access care.Click for official info ↗ consultations, A&E visits, and most public health services are free to all. Non-urgent hospital treatment is chargeable for people not "ordinarily resident" — unless exempt (e.g. refugees, EUSSEU Settlement Scheme — The scheme that granted settled or pre-settled status to EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens living in the UK before 31 December 2020.Click for official info ↗ holders with a valid S1, some visa categories, immigration health surchargeIHS — The fee most UK visa applicants pay upfront to use the NHS — £1,035 per year for most adults (2025 rate).Click for official info ↗ payers).
How do I see a specialist?
The NHSNational Health Service — The UK's publicly funded healthcare system. Most services are free at the point of use; access depends on immigration status and the immigration health surcharge.Click for official info ↗ is GPGeneral Practitioner — Your local NHS family doctor — the first point of contact for healthcare in the UK. Register with a GP surgery to access care.Click for official info ↗-centred: you need a GPGeneral Practitioner — Your local NHS family doctor — the first point of contact for healthcare in the UK. Register with a GP surgery to access care.Click for official info ↗ referral to see a hospital consultant on the NHSNational Health Service — The UK's publicly funded healthcare system. Most services are free at the point of use; access depends on immigration status and the immigration health surcharge.Click for official info ↗ (except A&E and sexual health). The GPGeneral Practitioner — Your local NHS family doctor — the first point of contact for healthcare in the UK. Register with a GP surgery to access care.Click for official info ↗ sends the referral; you then book via the NHSNational Health Service — The UK's publicly funded healthcare system. Most services are free at the point of use; access depends on immigration status and the immigration health surcharge.Click for official info ↗ e-Referral Service with your choice of hospital where options exist.
Related