Channel Islands healthcare is just as good as the system in England and Western Europe. The two bailiwicks have separate healthcare services and only Jersey has a mutual agreement in place with the UK. This means that expats from other countries will need to pay for medical expenses which are outside of the general care
Those on the Guernsey healthcare system will be required to pay for medical treatment even for emergencies. Due to this, expats are advised to get private medical insurance which can cover most medical services.
The healthcare systems here have different rules to the UK and other countries, when you first move to Channel Islands you will need to pay for most of the healthcare.
Expats will need to pay for:
- GP visits
- Treatment and other related costs i.e., travel costs
- Non-emergency treatments at the hospital
Expats will not need to pay for
- Treatment in the Emergency Department of hospitals
There are no reciprocal health agreements with other countries other than the UK, so it is advised that medical insurance is taken out before moving
Health Cards
A health card can be obtained once you have lived in the Island for six months or more. This will allow individuals to get discounted GP costs although the rest of the payment will need to be paid by you. In the first six months of living in Channel Islands, individuals will need to pay for the full cost when visiting a GP. After these six months, if social security contributions are paid the health card can be applied for. It is important that expats register with the Social Security Department as soon as they have arrived to the Island.
French nationals can get a health card straight away due to the agreement between Jersey and France.
The health card will only apply to GP visits and prescriptions
To get a health card you will need to take a photo ID to the social security office, this can be done straight away.
Emergency Treatment
The emergency treatment which is provided at the Emergency department is free.
Those who do not meet the requirement in the policy will be required to pay for:
- Non-emergency follow on treatment which is needed to be provided by the Emergency Department
- Emergency treatment which is provided outside of the ED
Non-emergency hospital treatment will need to paid for as well as social services unless certain requirements are met
Guernsey Healthcare
The main medical centre in Guernsey is the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, this has an accident and emergency department as well as dental, physiotherapy and maternity services.
Expats who are not from the UK will need to cover all costs including dentist visits and ambulance transfers.
Jersey Healthcare
Expats who are from the UK are legible to get free medical services in Jersey, however will need to pay for prescription and dental appointments. Other nationalities will be expected to pay for their own medical expenses or are advised to get private health insurance.
The biggest health care facility is the General hospital which provides a cardiology, maternity units and a 24 hour emergency unit.
Emergency Services
The ambulance and rescue services operate the islands only service which provides cover for emergency and accidents as well as paramedic responses for 24 hours. These services are free to those who are a member of the ambulance subscription scheme
Channel Islands Pharmacies
There are many pharmacies across the islands with all the hospitals and doctors surgeries having a pharmacy on site. Prescriptions must be paid in full for those who have not been here for six months. Majority of the prescriptions are free but there are some exceptions. Those who require a list of items that are free on a prescription can contact the social security department.