This page presents an overview of the right to healthcare that different groups of the population might have. The health rights might be limited. It is therefore important to have private travel insurance in addition.
Tourists
If you travel to the United Kingdom as a tourist, you will not be able to use the European Health Insurance Card there.
If you are a Norwegian or British citizen who is resident in Norway, you might still be entitled to coverage of expenses for essential healthcare during temporary stays. This is because of an agreement between Norway and the United Kingdom.
In order to have your healthcare expenses covered, you must present your passport to the healthcare provider. You may also be asked to prove that you have a residential address in Norway.
You cannot apply to Helfo for a refund of healthcare expenses retrospectively.
If you have a citizenship other than a Norwegian or UK one, and you live in Norway, you are not entitled to have your healthcare expenses in the United Kingdom covered/reimbursed. You should acquire a private travel insurance.
Students
Are you a Norwegian or British citizen and intending to study in the United Kingdom?
If you are considered to be a resident of Norway, you may be entitled to reimbursement for your expenses for essential healthcare included in the public healthcare services in the United Kingdom. This is because of an agreement between Norway and the United Kingdom. In order to have your healthcare expenses covered, you must present your passport to the healthcare provider. You cannot apply to Helfo for reimbursement of your healthcare expenses retrospectively.
The length of your stay will be a factor in determining whether you are covered by the agreement. If you are considered to be a resident of the United Kingdom during your stay, you must check with the social security authorities to find out your health rights.
Have you had to pay a separate healthcare fee when applying for residence? You cannot be reimbursed for this expense from Helfo.
If you are not a Norwegian or British citizen, but are a member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme, you can read about your rights on the webpage "Students outside the EU/EEA".
Students who began studying before 2021
If you began studying in the United Kingdom before 2021, you will retain the rights that the European Health Insurance Card provides until the end of your study period there.
Find out what you can do if you are unable to use the European Health Insurance Card.
You should check whether you need to apply for residence as an EEA citizen through the EU Settlement Scheme.
Workers
Posted workers who are Norwegian or British citizens
Are you a Norwegian or British citizen who has been posted from Norway to the United Kingdom as part of your job? If you keep your membership in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme, you and your family members who accompany you may be entitled to reimbursement for your expenses for essential healthcare. This is because of an agreement between Norway and the United Kingdom.
Usually, you can keep your membership if you are a posted worker for up to three years. If you have questions about membership, you must contact NAV.
You cannot apply to Helfo for reimbursement of your healthcare expenses retrospectively.
If you, during your stay in the United Kingdom, do not keep your membership in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme, you must check with the social security authorities in the United Kingdom to find out which health rights you have.
Posted workers who are not Norwegian or British citizens
If you are not a Norwegian or British citizen, but are a member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme, you can read more about your rights on the webpage "Posted workers outside the EU/EEA".
Certificate S1
If you have a valid certificate S1 which was registered in the United Kingdom before 2021, this document will still be valid.
Have you lived in the United Kingdom since before 2021 and at the same time worked in Norway? If you have not received certificate S1, you might be entitled to receive it. Read more on the webpage “Employee in the EU/EEA area” about what rights certificate S1 covers.
If you have or were entitled to a certificate S1 for employees and you retire while still living in the United Kingdom, you may still be entitled to be covered for health care costs there. You must then apply to Helfo to obtain a certificate S1 for pensioners.