How to Register with an NHS GP in 2026: A Complete and Updated Guide

8 min read May 2026Pravasi Editorial

Everything you need to know about registering with a GP in 2026 — what documents you need (and what they cannot demand), the NHS App, prescription charges, NHS dentists, and when to use 111 versus A&E.

Are you entitled to NHS care as a visa holder?

Yes. If you have a valid UK visa and paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your visa application, you are entitled to full NHS care on exactly the same basis as a UK citizen. This includes GP appointments, hospital treatment, mental health services, maternity care, and emergency treatment. The IHS is currently £1,035 per person per year and is paid upfront as part of your visa application — it covers all NHS services during your stay. There are no additional charges for most NHS services once you have paid the IHS.

Finding a GP surgery near you

Go to nhs.uk and use the 'Find a GP' search tool. Enter your home postcode and it shows all surgeries within your area, their opening hours, how to contact them, and whether they are currently accepting new patients. Register with a surgery close to your home — most have a catchment area and may decline registration if you live outside it. If your nearest surgery is full, the NHS will allocate you to another local surgery.

What you need to register — and what they cannot demand

By law, GP surgeries in England cannot refuse to register you because of your immigration status, nationality, or lack of proof of address. You do not legally need to show your passport, BRP, or any immigration documents to register. That said, most surgeries ask for some ID and an address for their records. Bring your passport, your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or your eVisa confirmation, and a letter confirming your address if you have one. If you do not have proof of address, a letter from your employer or university confirming where you live is usually accepted.

The registration process — step by step

Visit or call the surgery and ask to register as a new patient. You will be given a GMS1 registration form — it takes around five minutes to complete. Many surgeries now also offer online registration via the NHS website, which is faster. Your registration typically completes within one week. Once registered, you will be assigned an NHS number — save this as you will need it for all future NHS interactions. You are then free to book appointments.

The NHS App — download it on day one

The NHS App is available on iOS and Android and is one of the most useful tools available to you in the UK. Once your GP registration is confirmed, you can link your NHS App using your NHS number. The app lets you book and manage GP appointments, order repeat prescriptions, view your medical records and test results, see your vaccination history, and access the 111 online service. Your COVID-19 vaccination records are also stored here, which some employers and countries still request.

Prescription charges — frozen at £9.90 from April 2026

In April 2026, the government announced the first freeze in prescription charges in years. Each prescription item costs £9.90 in England. A prescription with three items costs £29.70. If you regularly need more than one prescription item per month, a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) saves money — it covers unlimited prescriptions for a flat fee. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have free prescriptions regardless of income. Some people in England qualify for free prescriptions: those under 16, over 60, pregnant, or with certain long-term medical conditions.

NHS dentists in 2026 — charges and how to find one

NHS dental treatment is charged in bands. As of 2026: Band 1 (examination, diagnosis, and preventive care) costs £26.80. Band 2 (fillings, extractions, root canal) costs £73.50. Band 3 (crowns, dentures, bridges) costs £319.10. Children under 18, pregnant women, and those who have given birth in the last 12 months receive free NHS dental treatment. People on qualifying benefits also receive free treatment. To find an NHS dentist accepting new patients, use the 'Find a dentist' tool on nhs.uk — availability varies significantly by area.

NHS 111 — use this before going to A&E

NHS 111 is free, available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk when you need urgent medical help but it is not a life-threatening emergency. The service will assess your symptoms and direct you to the right care — whether that is a GP, pharmacist, urgent treatment centre, or A&E. Using 111 correctly reduces unnecessary A&E visits and gets you to the right place faster.

999 vs 111 vs A&E vs GP — when to use each

Call 999 for life-threatening emergencies: chest pain, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, severe bleeding, or loss of consciousness. Go to A&E for serious injuries and conditions requiring immediate attention. Call 111 for urgent but non-life-threatening situations. Book a GP appointment for ongoing health issues and non-urgent concerns. Visit a pharmacy first for minor ailments — under the Pharmacy First scheme, pharmacists can now treat and prescribe for seven common conditions including earache, urinary tract infections, and sinusitis without a GP referral.

Mental health support — know what is available

Mental health services are part of your NHS entitlement. You can refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies (formerly IAPT) for anxiety, depression, and related conditions without needing a GP referral — search for 'NHS Talking Therapies' on nhs.uk and self-refer online. Your GP can also refer you to specialist mental health services. If you are in a mental health crisis, call 111 and select the mental health option, which connects you to a trained mental health professional 24 hours a day.

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