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Guidance

Mental health support for British nationals in Argentina

Information about support for British nationals experiencing mental health difficulties in Argentina.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Published:
22 October 2026

Read guidance on mental health abroad for broader advice on mental health issues while travelling or living abroad.

What to do in an emergency

In an emergency or for urgent medical attention call 911 for emergency services, 107 for an ambulance or go to the emergency department (“guardia”) of the nearest general hospital.

For less urgent medical attention contact your travel insurance provider or a local healthcare provider to make an appointment with a doctor.

To find public hospitals across Argentina, use the Argentine hospital directory. You can also consult our non-exhaustive list of doctors and medical facilities in Argentina.

The national suicide support line can be contacted on 135 from Buenos Aires City and Greater Buenos Aires, or 0800 345 1435 / +54 11 5275 1135 from elsewhere in Argentina.

Not all medical or emergency services staff speak English. You may need to consider using a local translator or interpreter.

Prescriptions

Bringing medicines into Argentina

Read guidance on taking medicine in or out of the UK and Argentina travel advice.

Accessing medicines in Argentina

You may find it difficult to find certain medicines in Argentina. If you take regular medication, you should bring at least enough to last for your stay. Consider bringing extra in case your stay in Argentina is extended for any reason.

If you need a repeat or replacement prescription while you are in Argentina, you should arrange an appointment with a local healthcare provider. A professional may need to evaluate your condition before prescribing, especially for controlled or unfamiliar medications.

Bring a copy of your prescription to Argentina. This can help doctors find the exact or similar medication.

Admission to hospital for mental health reasons

Hospitals with mental health facilities are available in Argentina, particularly in larger cities. The availability of services and English-speaking staff may vary by location. You should consider whether this impacts your ability to travel there. 

To access inpatient care voluntarily in Argentina, you must agree to treatment and provide written informed consent. Mental health care is generally provided through community and outpatient services. Hospital admission is usually considered only when other treatment options are not appropriate. Hospital stays should be for the shortest period necessary.

In some circumstances, a voluntary admission may become involuntary if healthcare professionals determine that the person can no longer make decisions about their care or if the person no longer agrees to treatment.

A person experiencing a mental health crisis may be detained in hospital and treated against their wishes if they are thought to be a risk to themselves or others. In Argentina, this is called “internación involuntaria” and is used only in exceptional circumstances.

This is comparable to ‘sectioning’ in the UK but there are significant differences in procedure and law. UK mental health law is non-transferrable to other countries so even if a person is sectioned in the UK, this cannot be used as a basis to admit them to hospital abroad. The same applies to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) laws.

For more information on mental health legislation in Argentina, see Ley 26657 - SALUD PUBLICA Argentina.gob.ar.

To assist health professionals treating you, you may be asked to provide a medical history or help in accessing UK medical records.

Outpatient treatment

You may also be able to access outpatient care in Argentina. You can find a list of hospitals that offer outpatient mental health care in our non-exhaustive list of doctors and medical facilities in Argentina.

In the City of Buenos Aires, the first point of contact for non-urgent care is usually a local primary healthcare centre (CeSAC). These centres can provide treatment and arrange referrals to hospitals or specialists if needed.

To access appointments through the public health system, you must first register with the city’s health service in person using an ID, such as a passport. Registration is available at all CeSACs and general hospitals. See the list here Hospitales y Centros de Salud en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. Once registered, appointments can be booked online, via WhatsApp, by calling 147, or in person. See the Buenos Aires health appointments website.  

In other parts of Argentina, appointment systems vary between public hospitals. Contact the hospital directly to find out how appointments are arranged and whether any requirements apply.

Treatment outside of hospital

Mental health care, including non-urgent treatment, is also available in Argentina outside of hospital settings. Treatment may be provided through private mental health clinics and private psychiatrists, psychologists and therapists. See our non-exhaustive list of doctors and medical facilities for places that may be able to offer treatment.

Medical bills and insurance

Hospital bills and other medical fees may be high in Argentina without adequate travel insurance, particularly at private healthcare facilities. If you are treated in hospital against your wishes, you may still be charged medical fees.

The cost of hospitalisation may be covered by your travel insurance. You may be entitled to non-urgent medical attention. Check with your provider before receiving care.
Make sure you declare any pre-existing conditions to your insurance provider to ensure your insurance is valid. Enquire where possible ahead of any treatment about likely cost and whether it will be covered by your insurance.

If you do not have adequate insurance, you will need to cover costs from your own personal funds.

In Argentina, public hospitals provide emergency treatment regardless of your ability to pay. Treatment will not be delayed while payment or insurance arrangements are confirmed. Once the emergency has passed, the public hospital may look to recover costs from your own personal funds or your travel insurance provider where applicable. Charges will apply for follow-up care, outpatient treatment, medication and other non-emergency healthcare services. Read about medical emergencies, treatment and hospitalisation abroad and foreign travel insurance.

Making decisions on behalf of someone lacking mental capacity

To make decisions on behalf of someone ‘lacking mental capacity’, speak to a lawyer in Argentina for advice. In the UK, you can apply to become someone’s deputy if they ‘lack mental capacity’ but UK deputies are unlikely to be recognised in Argentina.

Support from agencies and organisations in Argentina

Contact these organisations in Argentina for mental health support and advice:

These organisations may have English-speaking staff, but availability varies and cannot be guaranteed.

International organisations

These international organisations may be able to help you whilst you are overseas:

Returning to the UK

If you are abroad and need help to return to the UK, the FCDO can try to assist in making plans for your return. See what the FCDO can and cannot do.

You may not automatically be entitled to state benefits if you have never lived in the UK, or if you have lived abroad for some time. This includes free NHS hospital treatment. See the returning to the UK guidance for more information, including on healthcare.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this guide is intended for your general guidance only, it is not a substitute for obtaining your own medical and legal advice. For more information, read our consular information disclaimer.

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