How do I register with a GP in England? Do I need a visa or proof of address?

Who does this apply to?

This post is about England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland may have different rules. It is general information, not personal advice. The information was read on official pages on 13 October 2026. Some pages have old update dates (see below).

Details

What is a GP? A GP (General Practitioner) is a family doctor and the first step in NHS (National Health Service) care. A GP surgery is the doctor's practice.

What is needed to register? According to the NHS page, you do not need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status. You also do not need an NHS number. Basic details such as name, date of birth and address are asked for. If you have no fixed address, a temporary address or the surgery's address can be used. A surgery may ask for other documents in some cases, for example to find your medical records. A parent or guardian usually registers a child under 16. In that case ID and proof of address for the child may be needed. Everyone in England can register, or change surgery, for free.

How does it work?

1. Find a surgery on the NHS website.
2. If online registration is offered, fill in the form. The page says each person's form takes about 15 minutes. You can also ask the surgery for a form.
3. The page says you should usually be told you are registered within 5 days. It can take longer.

If registration is refused: A surgery may refuse, for example, if it is not accepting new patients, you live outside its area, or you were removed from its list before. If it refuses, it must write to you within 14 days to explain why. The NHS page points to your local ICB, Citizens Advice or local Healthwatch for help.

Free for everyone: The GOV.UK guide says these are free to everyone: GP consultations, accident and emergency (A&E) services, diagnosis and treatment of some infectious diseases such as HIV and TB, sexually transmitted infection services, family planning (not termination of pregnancy or infertility treatment) and NHS 111 services.

Hospital charges: Emergency care after admission to hospital and follow-up outpatient appointments are charged unless the person is exempt. As a general rule, hospital care is free for people who are "ordinarily resident". This means living in the UK on a lawful and properly settled basis. The NHS page says that for people subject to immigration control this generally means indefinite leave to remain (ILR). If a visa lasts more than 6 months and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) has been paid or an exemption applies, hospital care can be free on a similar basis. The GOV.UK guide says overseas visitors who are not exempt can be charged 150% of the NHS cost. That guide was last updated on 2 October 2023. Some people and some services are exempt (for example refugees and asylum seekers). This post does not cover exemptions in detail.

Urgent treatment: The guide says urgent or immediately necessary treatment is given without payment in advance. Payment may be asked for afterwards.

Prescriptions: Prescription charges are separate. The NHS page shows £9.90 per item (page last reviewed 23 November 2023, so check it for the current amount). Some items are always free. The page says a prepayment certificate may be cheaper for people who need many prescriptions. Paying the IHS does not remove prescription charges.

Things to watch

What you can do

• Search for nearby surgeries on the NHS website and check which are accepting new patients.
• If refused, you can ask for the written reason and try another surgery.
• If you think it is an emergency, do not wait to ask about charges. Call 999 or go to A&E. If you are not sure about 999, there is NHS 111.
• Before non-urgent hospital treatment, you can ask the hospital's overseas visitors team (the office that deals with charges for overseas patients) about charges.
• For questions about your immigration status, use the registered advisers on GOV.UK: Find an immigration adviser.