Policy paper

List of healthcare arrangements covering the UK and countries in the EEA and Switzerland

Updated 1 November 2021

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/healthcare-arrangements-covering-the-uk-and-countries-in-the-eea-and-switzerland/list-of-healthcare-arrangements-covering-the-uk-and-countries-in-the-eea-and-switzerland

These healthcare arrangements can provide for access to healthcare in the EEA and Switzerland for UK residents, and for people from those countries coming to the UK, in specific circumstances.

They may receive the treatment for free, or they may have to pay for it and then claim back some or all of the money.

This list is maintained and published for the purposes of regulation 8 of the Healthcare (European Economic area and Switzerland Arrangements) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

Healthcare arrangements in place

Arrangement Duration healthcare arrangements are in effect
Protocol on Social Security Coordination contained in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part, signed on 30 December 2020 From 11pm on 31 December 2020 for an indefinite period
Memorandum of Understanding between the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the government of Ireland concerning Common Travel Area healthcare arrangements (in recognition of residency-based health systems), signed on 18 December 2020 From 11pm on 31 December 2020 for an indefinite period
Agreement on arrangements between Iceland, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Kingdom of Norway and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, the EEA Agreement and other agreements applicable between the United Kingdom and the EEA EFTA States by virtue of the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union, signed on 28 January 2020 From 11pm on 31 December 2020 for an indefinite period
Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, signed on 24 January 2020 From 11pm on 31 December 2020 for an indefinite period
Agreement between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Swiss Confederation on citizens’ rights following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union and the Free Movement of Persons agreement, signed on 25 February 2019 From 11pm on 31 December 2020 for an indefinite period
Convention on Social Security Coordination between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Swiss Confederation, signed on 9 September 2021 Provisionally applied from 1 November 2021 until such time it is fully applied

Read the guidance on accessing healthcare in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland for information on individual countries.

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