Travellers to and from the Channel Islands

What are the reciprocal health agreements between the UK mainland and the Channel Islands?

A change in health care arrangements by the UK government means that the reciprocal health agreement giving residents of the Channel Islands free health care in the UK is due to finish on 31st March 2009.

This means that whilst most Islanders will continue to receive free treatment at NHS A&E departments while visiting the UK*, they will have to pay for all other health services (such as operations or out-patient appointments) from 1st April 2009.

In the same way all UK* residents visiting the Channel Islands will continue to receive free treatment at A&E, but will have to pay for all other health services when being treated in the Channel Islands from 1st April 2009.

Accordingly we have updated the terms of our policy to ensure that visitors to and from the Channel Islands are protected as follows:

UK residents travelling to the Channel Islands

Cover under Sections B - Emergency medical and other expenses, Section C - Hospital benefit and Section O - Cruise cover (if operative) already applies in relation to:

  • Medical expenses charged to you by a hospital or clinic in the Channel Islands and
  • The daily benefit payable if hospitalised in a hospital or clinic in the Channel Islands, or if confined to your cabin if cruising in Channel Island waters.

Channel Islands residents travelling to the UK

Cover under Sections B - Emergency medical and other expenses, Section C - Hospital benefit and Section O - Cruise cover (if operative) is extended to cover you for:

  • Medical expenses charged to you by a NHS hospital in the UK*
  • The daily benefit payable if hospitalised in a NHS hospital in the UK*, or if confined to your cabin if cruising in UK* waters.

* Defined as England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.