Doctors (GPs) fees, prescriptions and health cards

Social Security health cards

You need a health card to get a subsidy when you visit your General Practitioners (GPs) and to get free prescriptions. Find a list of GPs in Jersey Online Directory.

If you have lived in Jersey for 6 months or more, and you have paid Social Security contributions, then you're entitled to a Social Security health card.

Children do not need their own health card. If you have a baby, then you should take their birth certificate to the Social Security Department to get a Social Security number. You will be given a Doctor's Registration form. You will need this if you take your child to the GP or pick up a prescription on their behalf.

You must have your own health card. You cannot use someone else's health card.

If you are a French national you can have a health card straight away. This is due to a health agreement that exists between Jersey and France.

UK and Jersey health agreement

​​​​​​​Visiting a GP or family doctor in Jersey

Doctors who work in general practice are known as General Practitioners (GPs) or family doctors. In Jersey, GP surgeries are private businesses so you will have to pay to see them.

Fees vary from surgery to surgery and extra charges may be made for services like injections and blood tests.

For the first six months after you arrive in Jersey, you will have to pay the full cost if you need to visit a GP. 

Once you receive a Social Security Health Card your GP's surgery will give you a discount of £20.28 with a further £20 of a GP face to face consultation fee.

Home visits and out of hours Jersey Doctors on Call services are not included and these costs vary from surgery to surgery.

Children under the age of 18 of parents who are under the Health Insurance Scheme are eligible to receive free consultations with:

Prescriptions in Jersey

If you have been in Jersey for less than 6 months and cannot have a health card, you'll have to pay the full cost of any prescription from your GP.

If you have a Social Security health card, prescriptions are free. Show your health card at any community pharmacy. Different rules apply to prescriptions from a hospital doctor, which must be collected from the hospital pharmacy and may involve a charge.

Whilst the majority of GP prescription ​items are free, there are some exceptions. A list of items that are free on prescription can be obtained from the Social Security Department or by downloading the latest prescribed list.​

​Prescribed list of pharmaceutical products​

Hospital treatment

Your health card does not automatically entitle you to free hospital treatment. The Health and Social Services Department will only provide free emergency hospital treatment (in the Emergency Department).

You have to pay for other hospital treatment and services unless you meet 1 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 six 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 have Licensed status

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. This is known as a reciprocal health agreement
  
• if you are visiting an official capacity. For example, as consul or ambassador
  
• if you require treatment for certain diseases or conditions

Moving or returning to live in Jersey

If you are new to the Island you must register with the Social Security Department as soon as you arrive. Although you will not be able to get your health card for six months, the six months are counted from when you first register.

Once you have been here six months, and have paid any Social Security contributions that are due, you will be eligible for a Social Security health card.

If you return to Jersey after living away you can use your health card straight away but only to visit a GP or to get free GP prescriptions. You may not be able to get free hospital treatment or social services care.

If you are a French national, you can have a health card as soon as you arrive. This is due to a health agreement that exists between Jersey and France.

Replacement health card

To apply for a replacement card simply phone Customer Services on +44 (0)1534 444444 or email customerservices@gov.je and we will organise for a replacement cards to be sent to your registered address.

Leaving Jersey

If you leave Jersey for more than three months at a time, then you must return your health card to the Social Security Department.

If you come back for a visit and you need to see a GP then you will have to pay the full cost.

UK and Jersey health agreement​​​

​​Health costs when moving or returning to the Isla​nd