Is healthcare free in Gibraltar?
Short answer
Healthcare is free at the point of use for people registered with the Gibraltar Health Authority under the Group Practice Medical Scheme, although prescriptions cost £5 per item. UK residents visiting Gibraltar get emergency treatment on showing a British passport, and every visitor should carry travel insurance.
Detailed answer
Public healthcare in Gibraltar is provided by the Gibraltar Health Authority (GHA) through the Group Practice Medical Scheme (GPMS), a contributory scheme. Under the GPMS Act two groups are entitled to register: insured persons and their dependants, and people who are ordinarily resident in Gibraltar. Those registered, and their dependants, can use GHA services at no charge. You need to register with the GHA to use the scheme. Registration is open Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 12:30pm, and you can also apply online through an e-Gov account. Incomplete applications are not accepted. Some services carry a charge or are limited. Medicines cost £5 per item on a prescription, subject to a maximum charge of £15. GHA dental treatment is available only to children, and adults are seen for emergency dental treatment only, so routine adult dentistry is private. British nationals who live in the UK can get emergency treatment in Gibraltar by presenting a British passport. Some emergency cases are transferred to hospitals in Spain, so the UK government advises bringing a GHIC or EHIC as well. Neither card replaces travel insurance, which is needed for costs such as medical repatriation, private treatment and treatment judged non-urgent. The GHA's published entitlement covers only insured persons, their dependants and ordinary residents. Visitors from the EU and elsewhere should arrange travel or medical insurance before they arrive and check with their insurer how treatment in Gibraltar, and in Spain if they are transferred, would be paid for. In an emergency call 999 for an ambulance. St Bernard's Hospital at Europort is Gibraltar's only hospital.