Health costs when visiting Jersey
Visitors from the United Kingdom
Jersey has a reciprocal health agreement with the UK, which means that you're treated like a local resident while you're here. If you're visiting Jersey from the UK, it means that you're entitled to free hospital treatement while you're here.
Emergency care and hospital care is free, but if you need to see a GP (doctor) then you must pay (doctor visits are not free in Jersey). A link to a list of local GPs can be found further down the page.
If you have been living (rather than visiting) in Jersey for less than 6 months, then you will have to pay for some healthcare.
Visitors from other countries
If you are visiting Jersey or have recently arrived to live or work here, your own country may have a reciprocal health agreement in place with Jersey. If it does, this may mean you can get certain healthcare treatments or services in Jersey free of charge. You should check the reciprocal agreements section before reading on.
Reciprocal health agreements with other countries
Hospital care
As from 4 January 2011 the Health and Social Services Department will provide free emergency hospital treatment (in the Accident and Emergency Department). You will have to pay for other hospital treatment and services unless you meet one of the following conditions:
- you have been living in Jersey for at least 12 months prior to treatment
- you have been living in Jersey for at least 6 months prior to treatment during which time you have been in regular paid employment or paying income tax and you have a valid health card
- you are in 'J' category employment
This includes previous residents who have lived or worked elsewhere for 5 years or more.
Exemptions include:
- the cost of treatments covered by an agreement between Jersey and your country of residence or previous residence (known as a reciprocal health agreement)
- if your visit relates to certain forms of official capacity
- if you require treatment for certain diseases or conditions
For further details please see the full policy.
Download provision of hospital treatment and care to residents, non-residents, overseas visitors and foreign nationals policy (size 107kb)
Long-term care
You will have to pay for long term nursing care (for example nursing care provided in a residential home or nursing home) if you have recently moved to the Island.
Nursing care may, depending on financial and residential circumstances, be provided free to people who:
- have lived in Jersey for a minimum of 5 years and have a valid health card
- are in 'J' category employment
- are entitled to free non-emergency hospital treatment and have previously lived in Jersey for any consecutive 10-year period
Paying for treatment
If you are not entitled to free hospital treatment in Jersey, you must pay for all costs including repatriation and other travel costs.
Prescription charges
Medical prescriptions can be dispensed at any pharmacy. Please ask the pharmacist to advise you of their charges.
Dental treatment
All dental surgeries are listed in the Yellow Pages of the local telephone directory. All dentists are private practitioners which means that you must pay all costs.
GP (doctor) visits
All GP visits are provided on a private basis so you must pay all costs.
If you need to see a GP, please telephone a GP surgery direct. If you need a GP in the evening or at a weekend, phone any surgery to make an appointment at the GP out-of-hours service
Details of GP surgeries
GP out-of-hours service
Emergency services
You can call for an ambulance by dialling 999. They will bring you to the Emergency Department at the General Hospital in St Helier. You will not be charged for this service.