Advice and resources : Citizenship and access to healthcare
How can we help
How can we help
Overview
Being born in the UK does not automatically give British citizenship to a baby. To be classed British, a baby needs to have a parent with British citizenship or settled status in the UK.
If your baby isn't a British citizen
To access healthcare, parents of babies born in the UK, who don’t have British citizenship or settled status, need to make an immigration application within the first 3 months of the child’s life and pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
Your baby can remain in the UK without making an immigration application, but they are not entitled to free healthcare after the age of 3 months, unless it is emergency treatment (please see the free services section for further information).
Once the application is completed and the surcharge is paid (or you are exempt from having to pay), your baby can use the NHS as any other citizen while their visa and surcharge remains valid. As an adult, you will still need to pay for certain NHS services, including prescriptions and dental treatment.
If an immigration application is not completed and the surcharge not paid within the 3 month timeframe (unless exempt), any care you access for your baby will be charged at 150% of the cost of NHS treatment.
Useful links
Apply for your baby's leave to remain via the Visas and Immigration Service (opens new browser tab)
Calculate your Immigration Health Surcharge (opens new browser tab)
View a full list of exemptions and further information about the Immigration Health Surcharge (opens new browser tab)
View healthcare services free to all migrants, regardless of status (opens new browser tab)
Access your NHS account or find healthcare advice (opens new browser tab)
View the migrant health guide to NHS entitlements (opens new browser tab)
Find out about help with health costs (opens new browser tab)
Get advice about asylum services from Migrant Help UK (opens new browser tab)
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at each NHS Trust is a free, informal service you can contact to share your suggestions or concerns to help us improve. Besides Berkshire Healthcare, you may access services within the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust and Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust.
Visit the Royal Berkshire website to find out more about their PALS (opens new browser tab)
Visit the Frimley Health PALS webpage (opens new browser tab)
Find out more about the Berkshire Healthcare PALS below.