Instanties
How to call NHS Overseas Healthcare Services from abroad
Gecontroleerd met een testgesprek op 13 oktober 2026Bijgewerkt op 21 oktober 2026
NHS Overseas Healthcare Services publishes two numbers in international form, ready to dial from abroad: +44 191 283 3909 for UK GHIC and UK EHIC card queries, and +44 191 218 1999 for a Provisional Replacement Certificate, S1 and S2 forms and complaints. If you are abroad without your card and need emergency treatment, the second one, the PRC line, is the one you want. When we called both numbers on Tuesday 13 October 2026, the card line only played a recorded message pointing to the second number, which has a menu option for GHIC and EHIC questions.
Ons testgesprek
What our call to the NHS Overseas Healthcare GHIC and EHIC line sounded like
Alles op deze tijdlijn komt uit de opname van één enkel gesprek:
Gebaseerd op1 testgesprek op 13 oktober 2026, rond 16:13 Britse tijd
- Gebeld vanuit Polen via Browzerphone
- Duur 1:40
- Geen toets ingedrukt
- Meldingen opgenomen en uitgeschreven
- Verbonden
- Ja
- Menukeuzes
- Geen menu
- Duur van onze test
- 1:40
- Iemand nam op
- Neede lijn hing op na 1:40
Apply for or renew a card online at nhs.uk/ghic or nhs.uk/ehic
Melding
“The applications portal is open 24 hours a day.”
Could not finish online, or a PRC or S1: call the other line
“If you have tried applying online and are unable to complete the application, or you are calling us about other services such as PRC or S1 please call us on 0191 218 1999.”
Voor jou:For card questions, call +44 191 218 1999 and press 2 in its menu.
Press * to hear that number again
“To hear this phone number again, press star.”
A PRC can now be applied for online
“You are now able to apply online for a Provisional Replacement Certificate PRC if you need emergency healthcare abroad and do not have your card with you.”
The UK GHIC is free
“The UK Global Health Insurance Card is free to obtain from the official website.”
Melding
“You won't be asked to pay or provide bank or credit card details when you apply for the card.”
De lijn hangt op
Citaten woordelijk uit de opname van dit gesprek; tijden vanaf het moment dat het gesprek werd aangenomen, afgerond. We luisteren alleen, geven geen gegevens en hangen op voordat er een gesprek begint. Eén gesprek is een momentopname: het menu en de wachttijd kunnen veranderen. Hoe we testen
Two numbers, two jobs
The card line, +44 191 283 3909, is for queries about a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). It is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm and Saturday, 9am to 3pm, UK time - the only Saturday cover Overseas Healthcare Services publishes.
The second line, +44 191 218 1999, covers a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC), S1 and S2 forms, and complaints about any part of the service including Immigration Health Surcharge reimbursement. It runs Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Applying for a card or a form is an online job. The phone lines are for queries, for applying for a PRC by phone, and for when the online service will not work for you.
If you are abroad without your card
A Provisional Replacement Certificate is the document that stands in for a GHIC or EHIC you do not have with you. You can apply for a PRC online, or by phone on +44 191 218 1999, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm UK time.
The service is explicit about what to do outside those hours: if you need a PRC when the line is closed, call as soon as possible on the next working day. There is no out-of-hours number, so the practical move is to work out what 8am UK time is where you are before you need it.
S1, S2 and getting money back
The S1 covers healthcare if you live abroad, and the S2 covers pre-planned treatment in another country. Both are applied for online; both have the same phone line and, for written questions, their own email addresses and a postal address at Bridge House, 152 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6SN.
If you paid for medically necessary state-provided healthcare while visiting an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you may be able to claim a refund, subject to eligibility. Not all state-provided healthcare in those countries is free, and you may be charged for things the NHS provides free at home.
Before ringing about a card application, check the current applications page - Overseas Healthcare Services publishes which application dates it is currently processing, which answers the "has mine been forgotten" question without a call.
How to dial the numbers
Overseas Healthcare Services prints both numbers in international form already: +44 191 283 3909 and +44 191 218 1999. 191 is the Newcastle area code.
- 1Have your application reference or card details to hand, and for a PRC the details of where you are and what treatment you need. The menu on +44 191 218 1999 asks for your eight-digit Overseas Healthcare reference number and your date of birth on the keypad.
- 2Start with a plus sign, or your country's exit code if the plus will not work: 00 across most of Europe, 011 from the US and Canada.
- 3Add 44 for the United Kingdom, then the rest: +44 191 283 3909 for GHIC and EHIC queries, +44 191 218 1999 for a PRC, S1, S2 or a complaint.
- 4All published hours are UK time - convert them to your own clock, especially the Saturday 9am to 3pm window on the card line.
Calling from a browser
Needing a PRC usually means you are already somewhere unfamiliar, possibly without a working SIM. Browzerphone dials the same +44 number from any browser tab on hotel or hospital wi-fi, charged per minute at the rate for the United Kingdom, with no SIM card and nothing installed.
Check the per-minute rate to the United Kingdom in advance, so the option is ready before the day you need it.
Meer testgesprekken
+44 191 218 1999 · 13 oktober 2026
Ons testgesprek
What our call to the NHS Overseas Healthcare PRC, S1 and S2 line sounded like
Alles op deze tijdlijn komt uit de opname van één enkel gesprek:
Gebaseerd op1 testgesprek op 13 oktober 2026, rond 16:13 Britse tijd
- Gebeld vanuit Polen via Browzerphone
- Duur 3:00
- Geen toets ingedrukt
- Meldingen opgenomen en uitgeschreven
- Verbonden
- Ja
- Menukeuzes
- 2
- Duur van onze test
- 3:00
- Iemand nam op
- Neeopgehangen na 3:00
Begroeting
“Thank you for calling Overseas Healthcare Service.”
Listen to all options first
“Please listen carefully to all options before making your selection, as our menu has recently changed.”
Voor jou:You can only choose once both options have been read out.
1Provisional Replacement Certificate, S1 and other services
“For provisional replacement certificates, S1s and other services, press 1.”
2UK GHIC or UK EHIC card
“To discuss a UK GHIC or UK EHIC, please press 2.”
Zonder keuze wordt het menu herhaald
It asks for the reason for your call, in words
“In a few words, please tell us the reason for your call today.”
Your eight-digit Overseas Healthcare reference number
“Please input your eight-digit Overseas Healthcare reference number now.”
Your date of birth on the keypad
“To confirm your details, please enter your date of birth as an eight-digit number.”
Voor jou:First your reference number, then your date of birth: the 1st of August 1990 is 01081990.
Notice about abusive calls
“We operate a zero-tolerance attitude to all forms of abuse.”
We hebben opgehangen
Tot dan had niemand opgenomen.
Citaten woordelijk uit de opname van dit gesprek; tijden vanaf het moment dat het gesprek werd aangenomen, afgerond. We luisteren alleen, geven geen gegevens en hangen op voordat er een gesprek begint. Eén gesprek is een momentopname: het menu en de wachttijd kunnen veranderen. Hoe we testen
NHS Overseas Healthcare Services numbers
- UK GHIC and UK EHIC queries+44 191 283 3909Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Saturday, 9am to 3pm. All UK time.Card queries. On our test call: a recorded message only
- PRC, S1, S2 and complaints+44 191 218 1999Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.Provisional Replacement Certificate, S1 and S2 forms, complaints
| Waar je belt | Nummer | Openingstijden | Opmerkingen |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK GHIC and UK EHIC queries | +44 191 283 3909 | Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Saturday, 9am to 3pm. All UK time. | Card queries. On our test call: a recorded message only |
| PRC, S1, S2 and complaints | +44 191 218 1999 | Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. | Provisional Replacement Certificate, S1 and S2 forms, complaints |
Veelgestelde vragen
What is the NHS Overseas Healthcare Services number from abroad?
+44 191 283 3909 for UK GHIC and UK EHIC queries, and +44 191 218 1999 for a Provisional Replacement Certificate, S1, S2 forms and complaints.
I am abroad without my GHIC and need treatment - what do I do?
Apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate, online or by phone on +44 191 218 1999, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm UK time. If you need one outside those hours, call as soon as possible the next working day.
When are the lines open?
The card line runs Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm and Saturday, 9am to 3pm. The PRC, S1, S2 and complaints line runs Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. All times are UK time.
Does the GHIC number put me through to an adviser?
Not when we called it on Tuesday 13 October 2026 at about 4:15pm UK time: +44 191 283 3909 played a recorded message and ended the call. The message points to 0191 218 1999, which is +44 191 218 1999 from abroad, and option 2 in that line's menu is for UK GHIC and UK EHIC questions.
Can I claim back treatment I paid for?
If you paid for medically necessary state-provided healthcare while visiting an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you may be able to claim a refund, subject to eligibility.
How do I check on a card application without calling?
Overseas Healthcare Services publishes which application dates it is currently processing on its current applications page, and has an online form for queries about an outstanding application.
Dial +44 from a browser tab
No SIM card and no roaming. Check the rate to the United Kingdom, sign up and call.
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Gecontroleerd met een testgesprek op 13 oktober 2026 · Bijgewerkt op 21 oktober 2026