What are reciprocal health agreements
Jersey has reciprocal healthcare agreements with some countries.
These agreements mean that if you’re:
- visiting Jersey, you can get urgent or emergency care on the same basis as locals
- a Jersey resident travelling abroad, you may get similar healthcare access in those countries
The agreements usually only cover essential treatment, such as:
- urgent and emergency care in hospital
- treatments at the Emergency Department
- ambulance services
Each country decides what they consider an urgent or emergency treatment. If residents have to pay for a treatment, visitors will also have to pay.
Agreements don’t replace travel insurance. Always make sure you have insurance when travelling to or from Jersey and check what is covered before you travel.
Most agreements only apply to short visits, usually up to 3 or 6 months. They don’t cover:
- people living or working in another country
- if you travel specifically to get medical treatment
If you live in Jersey and become ill while visiting another country, you can’t get a refund from us for your medical costs.
The cost of bringing someone back to Jersey (repatriation) is never covered. You’ll need to pay for this yourself or make sure your insurance includes it.
For more information about reciprocal health agreements,
contact the Customer Service Centre.
You can appeal any costs you have to pay for healthcare you received in Jersey. Find out more on how to appeal a healthcare charge or your right to free care.
Countries with reciprocal health agreements
We have an agreement with the countries below.
As a Jersey resident, you can check what healthcare you can get when travelling to these countries. Full details are set out in each agreement, or you can contact us for advice.
If a country is not listed, Jersey doesn’t have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with it.
You should make sure that you have travel insurance that covers all healthcare costs before travelling.
Australia
If you visit for no longer than 6 months, you can get the same immediate medical treatment as residents.
Health Care Agreement with Australia on Jersey Law
Austria
If you need urgent medical treatment, you can get the same treatment in hospital (inpatient) as residents.
Health Care Agreement with Austria on Jersey Law
France
If you visit for less than 3 months and can provide an Attestation Certificate, you can get the same emergency hospital treatment as a resident.
Find more details on
France and Jersey health agreement (Attestation Certificate).
Reciprocal Agreement with France on Jersey Law
Guernsey and Alderney
If you visit for less than 3 months, you can get the same urgent healthcare in hospital as Jersey residents.
Health Care Agreement Between the States of Guernsey and Alderney on Jersey Law
Iceland
If you travel temporarily, you can get the same immediate medical treatment as residents, including medicines.
Health Care Agreement with Iceland on Jersey Law
New Zealand
If you travel temporarily, you can get the same urgent medical treatment as residents.
Agreement on Health Services with New Zealand on New Zealand Legislation
Norway
If you travel temporarily, you can get the same immediate medical treatment as residents.
Health Care Agreement with Norway on Jersey Law
Portugal
If you travel temporarily, you can get the same immediate medical treatment as residents.
Reciprocal Agreement with Portugal on Jersey Law
Sweden
If you travel temporarily, you can get the same immediate medical treatment as residents.
Health Care Agreement with Sweden on Jersey Law
UK
If you travel for less than 6 months, you can get emergency treatments. Find more information on the
UK and Jersey health agreement.
Visitors from countries without an agreement
From 13 April 2026, if you visit Jersey from a country without a reciprocal health agreement, you have to pay for emergency and non-emergency healthcare, including:
- £325 for Emergency Department treatment
- £475 for ambulance services
We’ll always provide emergency treatment if you need them.
If you’re not eligible for free emergency healthcare, you’ll have to pay after your treatment.
If you want to access non-emergency healthcare, you’ll have to pay before your treatment.
You should make sure you have travel insurance before you visit Jersey.
Visiting as a previous Jersey resident
If you previously lived in Jersey and are visiting Jersey, you’ll have the same healthcare eligibility as a visitor, no matter:
- whether you have permanently entitled status
- how long you lived or worked in Jersey
Staying or moving to Jersey
If you visit Jersey from a country with a reciprocal health agreement and stay longer than the visitor period, you should either:
- register as living on the Island
- start work and pay Social Security contributions
Different eligibility rules apply to new residents.
Find more information on healthcare costs if you live in Jersey.
gov.je