Publicly-funded healthcare eligibility in New Zealand: residence, work-visa, and reciprocal routes

Researched from official sources ยท May 21, 2026

Publicly-funded healthcare in Aotearoa is restricted to eligible persons defined under the Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction.

The Direction is made under section 32 of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000. Four routes apply for new arrivals: residence-class visa holders, work-visa holders eligible to be in New Zealand for two years or more, citizens and qualifying residents of Australia and the United Kingdom under reciprocal agreements, and recognised refugees and protected persons.

Estimated time

Eligibility is determined at first contact with a healthcare provider โ€” typically minutes during the consultation; no separate application process

Cost

NZ$0 at point of use for eligible persons in public hospital care; subsidised primary care fees apply at General Practice clinics

What You Need

Tap to check off items as you gather them

Additional Items

  • Refugees and protected persons: documentation from Immigration New Zealand or the Refugee Status Branch establishes eligibility by status itself; the eligibility-evidence path described for other routes is not required.
  • Children under seventeen are eligible if a parent or guardian is eligible. A child of a parent who holds a work visa valid for two years or more therefore qualifies, even if the child's dependant visa is for a shorter duration.
  • Reciprocal agreements are in force only with Australia and the United Kingdom. The Australian arm covers immediately necessary medical treatment during a temporary visit of up to two years; an Australian citizen or permanent resident who has been in New Zealand for two consecutive years or more, or can demonstrate reasonable intention to remain for that period, becomes eligible for all publicly funded services. The United Kingdom arm covers United Kingdom citizens ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom only, for a condition that arose after arrival or became acutely exacerbated after arrival.
  • NHI format change effective 1 July 2026 (in-flight as of guide preparation): the format of newly-issued identifiers becomes AAA11A# (three letters, two digits, one letter, one check letter), replacing the current AAA111# format. The change expands capacity from approximately ten million to thirty-three million unique identifiers. Existing NHI numbers remain valid and unchanged.
  • Online presence consolidation effective 20 May 2026: Health New Zealand consolidated its primary website domain to healthnz.govt.nz. Some legacy asset paths may still serve from tewhatuora.govt.nz during the active transition through mid-2026; redirects route to the consolidated destination.
  • future_watch: Beehive press releases and Ministry of Health communications during early 2026 referenced upcoming July 2026 updates covering permanent telehealth funding, immunisation expansion, and school-based health funding. None of these alter the underlying eligibility test in the statutory direction; they affect the content of funded services rather than the eligibility gateway.
  • Accident-related treatment is covered separately under the no-fault Accident Compensation Corporation scheme regardless of visa class. Accident cover is out of scope for this eligibility guide.
  • The Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 absorbed the former twenty District Health Boards into Health New Zealand as the single statutory entity. The Eligibility Direction was issued under section 32 of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000 and commenced on 14 April 2011, the day after Gazette publication; it is binding on Health New Zealand as successor to the former District Health Boards. The eligibility test is unchanged.

Step-by-Step

  1. 1

    Confirm which of the four eligibility routes applies to you

    1. Residence-class visa holder, including Resident Visa, Permanent Resident Visa, and pathways feeding into them (Skilled Migrant Category, Parent Resident, Partner of a New Zealander Resident, Pacific Access Category)
    2. Work-visa holder with a visa stated to be valid for two years or more from your first day in New Zealand
    3. Citizen or qualifying resident of Australia or the United Kingdom, on a temporary visit, under the New Zealand reciprocal healthcare agreement with that country
    4. Recognised refugee, protected person, or person in the process of applying for or appealing a refugee or protection determination under the Immigration Act 2009

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: The 2-year-or-more rule on a work visa is strict. A new arrival on an Accredited Employer Work Visa stated to be valid for three years qualifies on day one; a new arrival on a six-month work visa does not qualify even at month five.

    โš ๏ธ Watch out: If none of the four routes applies โ€” for example, a visitor-visa holder, a student-visa holder outside the listed scheme categories, or a work-visa holder whose visa is stated to be valid for less than two years โ€” you are personally liable for the full unsubsidised cost of any non-accident treatment in New Zealand. The corollary is set out on the Immigration New Zealand who-can-get-public-health-care page: "In general, people who have temporary visas to visit, study and work in New Zealand cannot get publicly funded health care in New Zealand. Check the conditions of the visa you are applying for to see if you are eligible."

  2. 2

    Assemble your evidence-of-eligibility documents

    1. Passport with the current Immigration New Zealand visa endorsement, or the eVisa confirmation from your my.immigration.govt.nz online account for electronically-issued visas
    2. For the Australian reciprocal-agreement route: a current Australian passport showing Australian citizenship, or evidence of Australian permanent residence
    3. For the United Kingdom reciprocal-agreement route: a current United Kingdom passport showing United Kingdom citizenship; United Kingdom permanent residents who are not citizens do not qualify
    4. For refugees and protected persons: documentation from Immigration New Zealand or the Refugee Status Branch
    5. For New Zealand citizens: New Zealand passport, citizenship certificate, or New Zealand birth certificate

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: No separate application form for eligibility is required. The healthcare provider applies the Health New Zealand ยท Te Whatu Ora eligibility checklist against your documents at the first contact.

  3. 3

    Obtain or recover your National Health Index number at first health-service contact

    NHI

    1. If you have never used a New Zealand health or disability service, an NHI is assigned automatically the first time you do; no separate application or fee is required
    2. If you have used a New Zealand health service before โ€” including a previous visit on a different visa โ€” recover your existing NHI by presenting your passport and any previous health-service record
    3. The NHI is assigned at the consultation, typically within minutes; eligibility is recorded as a separate field against your NHI record

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Holding an NHI is not the same as being eligible. The NHI is an identifier; your current visa or residence status determines whether publicly-funded healthcare is available.

  4. 4

    Enrol with a General Practice and a Primary Health Organisation

    Primary Health Organisation

    1. Choose a General Practice clinic accepting enrolments and complete its Primary Health Organisation enrolment form
    2. Present your evidence-of-eligibility documents at enrolment; the clinic verifies you against the Te Whatu Ora eligibility checklist
    3. Enrolment is voluntary but strongly recommended for eligible persons โ€” the subsidised General Practice rate applies from the enrolment date, and PHARMAC prescription co-payments become available
    4. Children under fourteen are eligible for the Zero Fees for Under 14s scheme at participating practices; verify scheme participation at the chosen clinic

    โš ๏ธ Watch out: If the practice declines enrolment because eligibility documents are inadequate or because your visa is stated to be valid for less than two years, you can still access care at the casual rate as a non-enrolled patient. Casual-rate General Practice fees are typically in the NZ$80 to NZ$120 band per visit; verify the actual fee with the practice. Where eligibility is in dispute, the Ministry of Health ยท Manatลซ Hauora is the disputes determining authority under the statutory direction.

  5. 5

    Present evidence at each new provider

    1. Eligibility evidence may be requested again at each new provider โ€” hospital, specialist, pharmacy
    2. Once your eligibility is recorded against your NHI, providers connected to the National Enrolment Service can verify status without re-presenting documents
    3. Carry your passport with current visa endorsement and your NHI number when you attend a new clinic, hospital, or pharmacy

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Providers apply the eligibility checklist at registration. Resolving an eligibility question at the counter is faster than disputing a charge after treatment.

  6. 6

    Access publicly-funded hospital and specialist services

    1. Non-emergency hospital and specialist care is accessed via General Practice referral
    2. Emergency care is accessed directly via a public hospital Emergency Department; Emergency Department care is free at point of use for eligible persons
    3. Primary Health Organisation enrolment is not required for hospital access โ€” public hospital and Emergency Department care is free for all eligible persons whether enrolled or not

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Hospital care is free at point of use for eligible persons regardless of Primary Health Organisation enrolment; enrolment status only affects primary-care subsidies.

Local Tips from the Community

  • An NHI number is an identifier, not an eligibility token. Eligibility is recorded against the NHI as a separate field; holding an NHI from a previous visit does not mean you are currently eligible.
  • Hospital and Emergency Department care is free at point of use for all eligible persons โ€” Primary Health Organisation enrolment is not required for hospital access. Enrolment matters for subsidised General Practice visits and PHARMAC prescription co-payments.
  • Australian permanent residents (not just citizens) are explicitly covered under the New Zealand-Australia reciprocal agreement on a temporary visit. The United Kingdom arm excludes United Kingdom permanent residents โ€” only United Kingdom citizens qualify.
  • If you are on an interim visa pending decision on a Resident Visa, you carry forward the eligibility status you held immediately before the interim visa was granted.
  • Eligibility is tied to the work visa's stated validity period, not the time you have actually been in New Zealand. A new arrival on a three-year Accredited Employer Work Visa qualifies on day one.

What Could Go Wrong

Confirm which of the four eligibility routes applies to you: None of the four routes applies (visitor visa, student visa outside listed scheme categories, work visa stated to be valid for less than two years)

Recovery: You are personally liable for the full unsubsidised cost of any non-accident treatment. Accident-related treatment is separately covered by the Accident Compensation Corporation scheme regardless of visa class. Some General Practice clinics run a flat casual rate for non-eligible patients; verify the fee with the clinic before booking.

Assemble your evidence-of-eligibility documents: United Kingdom permanent resident attempting to use the reciprocal-agreement route

Recovery: The United Kingdom arm of the reciprocal agreement is restricted to United Kingdom citizens ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom at the time of travel. United Kingdom permanent residents who are not citizens have no reciprocal-agreement cover. Arrange private travel health insurance for the duration of the visit.

Enrol with a General Practice and a Primary Health Organisation: Eligibility is disputed by the provider

Recovery: The Ministry of Health Manatลซ Hauora is the disputes-determining authority under the statutory direction and has no discretion to amend the criteria or make individual exceptions. Disputes resolve to whether the patient's evidence satisfies one of the listed categories. Provide additional documentary evidence; escalate via the Ministry of Health if the practice is unable to resolve.

Costs

Item Amount Payment Notes
Public hospital and Emergency Department care, eligible person NZ$0 N/A Free at point of use for any eligible person under the statutory direction. Funded through general taxation.
General Practice visit, enrolled adult, Primary Health Organisation subsidised rate NZ$19.5โ€“NZ$60 Cash, EFTPOS, or invoice at the practice Subsidised rate band for an adult enrolled with a Primary Health Organisation. The rate is not nationally fixed; each Primary Health Organisation and clinic sets its own fee within the per-visit subsidy bands set by Health New Zealand. Verify the actual fee with your General Practice clinic before booking.
General Practice visit, child under fourteen, Zero Fees scheme NZ$0 N/A Free at participating practices under the Zero Fees for Under 14s scheme. Most New Zealand General Practice clinics participate; verify with the clinic at enrolment.
General Practice visit, casual rate or non-eligible NZ$80โ€“NZ$120 Cash, EFTPOS, or invoice at the practice Casual or non-eligible rate band โ€” applied to non-enrolled patients and to patients who are not eligible for publicly-funded healthcare. The rate is set by each practice and is not nationally fixed.
Prescription item under the PHARMAC schedule, eligible person NZ$5 Cash, EFTPOS, or invoice at the pharmacy Co-payment per prescribed item for an eligible person, capped at twenty items per family per calendar year. Specific exemptions apply for community services card holders and certain demographic groups.
Hospital treatment, non-accident, non-eligible person NZ$0 Invoice from Health New Zealand ยท Te Whatu Ora; private health insurance or self-pay Charged at unsubsidised rates โ€” typically several thousand dollars per inpatient day for complex care. Personally liable when not eligible. Accident-related treatment is separately covered by the Accident Compensation Corporation scheme regardless of visa class.
Public hospital and Emergency Department care, eligible person NZ$0
Payment:
N/A
Notes:
Free at point of use for any eligible person under the statutory direction. Funded through general taxation.
General Practice visit, enrolled adult, Primary Health Organisation subsidised rate NZ$19.5โ€“NZ$60
Payment:
Cash, EFTPOS, or invoice at the practice
Notes:
Subsidised rate band for an adult enrolled with a Primary Health Organisation. The rate is not nationally fixed; each Primary Health Organisation and clinic sets its own fee within the per-visit subsidy bands set by Health New Zealand. Verify the actual fee with your General Practice clinic before booking.
General Practice visit, child under fourteen, Zero Fees scheme NZ$0
Payment:
N/A
Notes:
Free at participating practices under the Zero Fees for Under 14s scheme. Most New Zealand General Practice clinics participate; verify with the clinic at enrolment.
General Practice visit, casual rate or non-eligible NZ$80โ€“NZ$120
Payment:
Cash, EFTPOS, or invoice at the practice
Notes:
Casual or non-eligible rate band โ€” applied to non-enrolled patients and to patients who are not eligible for publicly-funded healthcare. The rate is set by each practice and is not nationally fixed.
Prescription item under the PHARMAC schedule, eligible person NZ$5
Payment:
Cash, EFTPOS, or invoice at the pharmacy
Notes:
Co-payment per prescribed item for an eligible person, capped at twenty items per family per calendar year. Specific exemptions apply for community services card holders and certain demographic groups.
Hospital treatment, non-accident, non-eligible person NZ$0
Payment:
Invoice from Health New Zealand ยท Te Whatu Ora; private health insurance or self-pay
Notes:
Charged at unsubsidised rates โ€” typically several thousand dollars per inpatient day for complex care. Personally liable when not eligible. Accident-related treatment is separately covered by the Accident Compensation Corporation scheme regardless of visa class.
Total: NZ$104.5

FAQ

General

I am here on a six-month work visa. Am I eligible for publicly-funded healthcare?

No. The work-visa route requires the visa to be valid for two years or more from your first day in New Zealand. A six-month work visa does not qualify, even at month five. You are personally liable for the full General Practice fee โ€” typically in the NZ$80 to NZ$120 casual-rate band โ€” and for any hospital treatment that is not accident-related. Accident-related care is separately covered by the Accident Compensation Corporation scheme regardless of visa class.

Does holding a National Health Index number make me eligible?

No. The NHI is an identifier, not an eligibility token. Eligibility is determined separately under the statutory direction and recorded against the NHI as a separate field. If you used New Zealand healthcare on a previous three-year work visa and have now returned on a six-month visitor visa, you have an NHI but are not currently eligible.

I am a United Kingdom citizen visiting friends in New Zealand. Does the reciprocal agreement cover my regular medication?

Almost certainly not. The United Kingdom reciprocal agreement covers only treatment for a condition that arose after arrival, or became, or without treatment would have become, acutely exacerbated after arrival. Routine continuation of a pre-existing chronic medication regime is generally outside the agreement's scope. Bring your own supply or arrange private cover for the duration of the visit.

I am an Australian permanent resident with a New Zealand Resident Visa. Which route applies?

Once you hold a New Zealand Resident Visa, you are on the residence-class route and qualify without any duration qualifier. The reciprocal-agreement path applies to Australians on a temporary visit; once you are resident, you no longer rely on the reciprocal agreement.

My visa is endorsed for two years but I might leave after six months โ€” am I still eligible during my actual stay?

Yes. Eligibility under the work-visa route is tied to the visa's stated validity period of two years or more, not your subjective intent or actual duration of stay. As long as the visa's stated validity is two years or more, you remain eligible while it is current.

Is the new NHI format from 1 July 2026 going to affect my existing NHI number?

No. From 1 July 2026 the format of newly-issued NHI numbers becomes AAA11A# (three letters, two digits, one letter, one check letter) rather than the current AAA111# format. The change expands capacity from approximately ten million to thirty-three million identifiers. Existing NHI numbers remain valid and unchanged โ€” most patients will not notice a difference. Only new arrivals registering for an NHI on or after 1 July 2026, and new babies, receive the new format.

I read in news coverage about a ManageMyHealth data breach. Does this affect my eligibility?

No. The ManageMyHealth incident was a security event affecting a third-party patient-portal vendor; it had no effect on the statutory eligibility direction or the integrity of the NHI system itself, and it is not relevant to a new arrival's eligibility determination today.

I am a New Zealand Resident Visa holder. Do I need to enrol with a General Practice to get free hospital care?

No. Public hospital and Emergency Department care is free at point of use for all eligible persons whether enrolled with a Primary Health Organisation or not. Primary Health Organisation enrolment matters for primary-care subsidies โ€” cheaper General Practice visits and subsidised PHARMAC prescriptions โ€” but does not gate hospital care.

I am from a country that is not Australia or the United Kingdom. Is there a European Health Insurance Card equivalent for New Zealand?

No. New Zealand is not in the European Union and is outside European social-security coordination instruments such as the European Health Insurance Card. Reciprocal healthcare agreements are in force only with Australia and the United Kingdom; no equivalent multi-country coverage scheme exists for arrivals from other countries. Eligibility depends on which of the four statutory routes you fall within: residence-class visa, work visa valid for two years or more, the reciprocal agreement route, or refugee or protected-person status.

After This Process

  • โ†’ Choose a General Practice clinic in your local area and complete the Primary Health Organisation enrolment form with your evidence-of-eligibility documents
  • โ†’ Register your NHI and current contact details against your General Practice record so the National Enrolment Service can verify your eligibility at future providers
  • โ†’ If you are an Australian or United Kingdom citizen visiting on a temporary basis, arrange private travel health insurance to cover treatment outside the reciprocal-agreement scope
  • โ†’ If you hold a work visa valid for two years or more and your circumstances change during your stay, recheck your eligibility status โ€” the visa's status at the time of treatment governs eligibility, not the status at the time of original grant

Sources

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