Register with a GP Surgery (NHS England)

Researched from official sources · May 11, 2026

Everyone in England can register with a GP surgery for free.

You do not need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status. This guide covers NHS England specifically; NHS Wales, NHS Scotland and NHS Northern Ireland have separate procedures.

Estimated time

15 minutes (form fill); up to 5 days for confirmation

Cost

£0

What You Need

Tap to check off items as you gather them

Additional Items

  • Name and address of an emergency contact (asked at registration)
  • Name and address of your previous GP, if you have one
  • Name and address of your carer, if you have one
  • Your NHS number, if you know it (helpful but not required)
Last checked 1 month ago

Step-by-Step

  1. 1

    Find a GP Surgery in Your Area

    1. Open the NHS Find a GP service at nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-gp/
    2. Enter a postcode in England or use your location
    3. Review the listings — opening times, services, facilities, and patient reviews are shown

    💡 Tip: Per nhs.uk: 'Most people will need to register near where they live but some surgeries accept patients from further away.' If you do not have a permanent address, you can use a temporary address or the address of the GP surgery itself.

    NHS — Find a GP (nhs.uk ↗)
  2. 2

    Choose Your Registration Route

    1. Online via the NHS website (recommended; available at most surgeries)
    2. In person at the surgery — fill in a paper form (typically GMS1 or PRF1)
    3. Download the paper form from nhs.uk and take it to the surgery
    4. Fill in a form on the surgery's own website (only offered at some surgeries)

    💡 Tip: All GP surgeries in England were required to offer the national online registration service from October 2024. If a surgery has not switched it on, the in-person paper form is always available.

  3. 3

    Fill in the Registration Form

    New Arrival Expat
    1. Provide your name, date of birth and address
    2. Provide the name and address of an emergency contact
    3. Provide the name and address of your previous GP, if you have one
    4. Provide the name and address of your carer, if you have one
    5. If you know your NHS number, include it — but it is not required

    💡 Tip: Per nhs.uk: 'Fill in a registration form. This takes about 15 minutes for each person you want to register.' You do not need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status. If a receptionist asks for these as a precondition, politely cite nhs.uk and ask to speak to the practice manager.

    ⚠️ Watch out: If the surgery refuses to register you, they must write to you within 14 days to explain why (nhs.uk). The only permitted refusal grounds are: not accepting new patients; you live outside the surgery's area; or you have been removed from their patient list before.

    NHS — How to register with a GP surgery (nhs.uk ↗)
  4. 4

    Wait for Registration Confirmation

    1. Per nhs.uk: 'You should be told when you have been registered. It will usually be within 5 days of the surgery getting your details, but it may take longer.'
    2. If 5 days pass with no word, contact the surgery to chase
    3. Once registered, the new surgery requests your medical records from your previous GP automatically — you do not need to do anything

    💡 Tip: If you previously had a GP, you do not need to tell them you are changing. Per nhs.uk: 'They'll be told automatically once you're registered with your new surgery.'

  5. 5

    Changing GP Surgery Later (Optional)

    If you are already registered with a GP surgery and want to change

    1. Use the same routes as first-time registration: online at nhs.uk, in person, or via paper form
    2. Per nhs.uk: 'If you have the NHS App, you can use it to change GP surgery.'
    3. You will be asked to agree for some of your details to be shared with the new GP surgery

    💡 Tip: First-time registrants cannot use the NHS App. Per nhs.uk: 'You must already be registered with a GP surgery to use the NHS App.'

What Could Go Wrong

Submit registration: The surgery refuses your registration

Recovery: Per nhs.uk, a GP surgery may only refuse if: they are not accepting new patients; you live outside the surgery's area; or you have been removed from their patient list before. They must write to you within 14 days to explain why. If refused, try a different surgery via Find a GP, contact your local Integrated Care Board (ICB), Citizens Advice, or your local Healthwatch.

Submit registration: Surgery asks for passport, visa, BRP or proof of address as a precondition

Recovery: These are not required by NHS rules. Politely cite nhs.uk: 'You do not need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status.' Ask to speak to the practice manager. If still refused on these grounds, this is not a permitted refusal ground — escalate to your local ICB and consider Healthwatch or Citizens Advice. Try a different surgery in the area.

Wait for confirmation: No confirmation arrives within 5 days

Recovery: Per nhs.uk: 'It will usually be within 5 days of the surgery getting your details, but it may take longer.' Contact the surgery directly to chase. If they cannot find your application, re-submit online or on paper.

After registration: You want to complain about your care

Recovery: Per england.nhs.uk: 'Complaints should normally be made within 12 months of an incident or of it coming to your attention.' You can complain directly to the GP surgery or to your local Integrated Care Board (ICB), which has handled primary care complaints since 1 July 2023. You may submit complaints verbally, in writing or by email. Expect an acknowledgement within 3 working days.

Costs

Item Amount Payment Notes
GP surgery registration £0 N/A Per nhs.uk: 'Everyone in England can register with a GP surgery or change their GP surgery for free.'
GP consultation (after registration) £0 N/A GP and nurse consultations in primary care are free of charge to all per gov.uk migrant health guide. Hospital care for overseas visitors is governed by separate rules — see FAQs.
GP surgery registration £0
Payment:
N/A
Notes:
Per nhs.uk: 'Everyone in England can register with a GP surgery or change their GP surgery for free.'
GP consultation (after registration) £0
Payment:
N/A
Notes:
GP and nurse consultations in primary care are free of charge to all per gov.uk migrant health guide. Hospital care for overseas visitors is governed by separate rules — see FAQs.
Total: £0

FAQ

Documents

Do I need a passport, visa or proof of immigration status?

No. Per nhs.uk: 'You do not need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status.' GP practices are not required to ask for proof of identity, address or immigration status from patients wishing to register (gov.uk/guidance/nhs-entitlements-migrant-health-guide). If a surgery insists on these documents, ask to speak to the practice manager and cite this guidance.

Do I need proof of address such as a utility bill or tenancy agreement?

No. Proof of address is not required. Per nhs.uk: 'If you do not have a permanent address, you can register with a GP surgery using a temporary address or the address of the GP surgery.'

General

How long does GP registration take?

About 15 minutes to fill in the form, then up to 5 days for the surgery to confirm. Per nhs.uk: 'Fill in a registration form. This takes about 15 minutes for each person you want to register.' And: 'You should be told when you have been registered. It will usually be within 5 days of the surgery getting your details, but it may take longer.'

Is GP registration really free?

Yes. Per nhs.uk: 'Everyone in England can register with a GP surgery or change their GP surgery for free.' There is no fee to register, change surgery, see a GP, or see a practice nurse. NHS prescription charges in England apply separately and change annually — check nhs.uk for the current figure.

I am visiting the UK for less than 3 months. Can I see a GP?

Yes. Per nhs.uk you can register 'as a temporary patient if you're visiting from abroad.' Treatment from the GP is free regardless of immigration status. Hospital care for overseas visitors may be charged separately under the National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2015 — see nhs.uk/nhs-services/visiting-or-moving-to-england/ for details.

How do I change to a different GP surgery?

Register with the new surgery online at nhs.uk, in person at the surgery, or via the NHS App if you already have one. Per nhs.uk: 'You do not need to tell your current GP surgery if you're changing. They'll be told automatically once you're registered with your new surgery.'

Does this guide cover Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland?

No — this guide covers NHS England only. NHS Wales (GIG Cymru), NHS Scotland, and HSC Northern Ireland operate separate primary care registration procedures. The universal-access principle is broadly similar, but online services, paper forms, and contract frameworks differ. Consult the relevant national NHS website for those jurisdictions.

Can I register with a GP that is not in my area?

Sometimes. Per nhs.uk: 'Most people will need to register near where they live but some surgeries accept patients from further away.' Out-of-area registration is at the surgery's discretion and they are not obliged to provide home visits if you live too far.

What if no surgery in my area is accepting new patients?

Contact your local Integrated Care Board (ICB). The ICB has a duty to ensure everyone in their area can register with a GP. Find your ICB at nhs.uk/nhs-services/find-your-local-integrated-care-board-icb/. You can also register as a temporary patient elsewhere while you wait, and call 111 for non-emergency urgent care or 999 / go to A&E for emergencies.

Can I use the NHS App to register for the first time?

No. Per nhs.uk: 'You must already be registered with a GP surgery to use the NHS App.' First-time registrants need to register online at nhs.uk or in person at the surgery. The NHS App is for managing existing GP services and for changing surgery.

After This Process

  • → NHS App — once registered, download to manage appointments, repeat prescriptions and test results
  • → NHS number — issued automatically when you register; find at nhs.uk/nhs-services/find-your-nhs-number/
  • → 111 — non-emergency urgent care; free to call or visit 111.nhs.uk
  • → 999 / A&E — life-threatening emergencies only; free for everyone regardless of residence status

Sources

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More in United Kingdom

8 sources cited last accessed 2026-05-11

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  1. T1
    NHS (England) 2026-05-11

    Everyone in England can register with a GP surgery or change their GP surgery for free. You do not need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status. Fill in a registration form — this takes about 15 minutes for each person. You should be told when you have been registered; it will usually be within 5 days of the surgery getting your details, but it may take longer. A GP surgery may refuse your registration only if they're not accepting new patients, you live outside the surgery's area, or you have been removed from their patient list before. If a GP surgery refuses to register you, they must write to you within 14 days to explain why. If you do not have a permanent address, you can register using a temporary address or the address of the GP surgery. Most people will need to register near where they live but some surgeries accept patients from further away. If you have the NHS App, you can use it to change GP surgery. You must already be registered with a GP surgery to use the NHS App.

    nhs.uk
  2. T1
    NHS (England) 2026-05-11

    NHS services overview, including signposting to 111 for non-emergency urgent care (111.nhs.uk) and Find a GP service for locating local surgeries.

    nhs.uk
  3. T1
    NHS (England) 2026-05-11

    Find a GP service. Enter a postcode in England or use your location to look for GP surgeries in the area you want to register. Listings include opening times, services, facilities, performance measures, and reviews.

    nhs.uk
  4. T1
    GOV.UK / Department of Health and Social Care 2026-05-11

    GP practices are not required to ask for proof of identity, address or immigration status from patients wishing to register. GP and nurse consultations in primary care, treatment provided by a GP and other primary care services are free of charge to all.

    gov.uk
  5. T1
    NHS England 2026-05-11

    Anyone in England can register with a GP surgery to access NHS services. It's free to register.

    england.nhs.uk
  6. T1
    NHS England 2026-05-11

    Complaints should normally be made within 12 months of an incident or of it coming to your attention. You may submit complaints verbally, in writing or by email. You should expect an acknowledgement and the offer of a discussion about the handling of your complaint within 3 working days. Contact your local integrated care board (ICB) for complaints about primary care services (GPs, dentists, opticians or pharmacists).

    england.nhs.uk
  7. T1
    NHS (England) 2026-05-11

    Visitors from abroad can register with a GP surgery as a temporary patient. Treatment from the GP is free regardless of immigration status; hospital care may be charged separately for non-ordinarily-resident visitors under the National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2015.

    nhs.uk
  8. T1
    GOV.UK / Department of Health and Social Care 2026-05-11

    Topic page for health and social care policy in England, including the NHS Constitution for England (last updated 17 August 2023).

    gov.uk
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