Moving to live in Jersey
Jersey isn't part of the NHS. We have different rules to the UK, other Channel Islands and other countries.
When you and your family first move to Jersey, you and your family will have to pay for most healthcare. Once you and your family have lived here for six months, you can apply for a health card.
Consider arranging health insurance to cover any healthcare costs, including possible travel for treatment in the UK.
What you have to pay for
You have to pay for:
- visits to the doctor (GP)
- non-emergency treatment at the hospital
- other care, treatment and related costs, including travel costs
What is free
You do not have to pay for treatment in the Emergency Department of the hospital.
Residents and non-residents charging policy
Patient travel and related costs policy
Returning to live in Jersey
If you're a former resident returning to live in Jersey, you have to pay for non-emergency hospital treatment, unless you meet the requirements in the policy below.
Residents and non-residents charging policy
Health cards
Once you’ve lived here for six months, you can apply for a health card. This reduces the amount you’ll have to pay for a GP appointment and entitles you to free prescriptions.
Your health card only applies to GP visits and GP prescriptions. It doesn’t give you access to free or discounted health care at the hospital or elsewhere.
For more information, or to apply for a health card phone Customer Services on +44 (0) 1534 444444, email customerservices@gov.je. or visit Doctors (GPs) fees, prescriptions and health cards
Emergency treatment
Emergency treatment provided in the Emergency Department is free.
If you do not meet the requirements in the charging policy, you will have to pay for:
- emergency treatment provided outside of the Emergency Department (could include travel costs for treatment in the UK)
- non-emergency follow-on treatment provided in the Emergency Department
Residents and non-residents charging policy
Non-emergency hospital treatment and social services
You have to pay for non-emergency treatment and social services even if you're a former resident, unless you meet the requirements in the residents and non-residents charging policy.
Residents and non-residents charging policy
Doctors (GPs), dentists and other healthcare providers
Everyone has to pay for these services. These can include:
- doctors (GPs)
- dentists
- pharmacists
- ante-natal clinics
Once you have been here for six months, you can get a health card. This helps with the cost of seeing a GP. You will still have to pay for the rest of the cost of the visit.
Doctors (GPs), dentists and pharmacists
Appealing against hospital-related charges
You can find out how to appeal hospital-related charges in the policy below.
Patient charges appeal policy
Contact us
If you have questions about hospital-related charges or the policies above, contact the Health and Social Services team.
Tel: +44 (0) 1534 442000
If you have questions about GPs, other healthcare providers or Long Term Care contact the Social Security department.
Tel: + 44 (0) 1534 444444
Email the Social Security Department
gov.je