Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement
Also known as: RHA, Bilateral health agreement, Medicare reciprocal agreement, S1 form (EU)
A reciprocal healthcare agreement is a treaty between countries giving each other’s citizens access to public healthcare.
Last updated: 2 April 2026
Real-world example
You're an Australian visiting the UK. Under the Australia-UK reciprocal healthcare agreement, you can access NHS services on the same basis as a UK resident. You see a GP, receive a prescription, and pay only the standard NHS prescription charge (GBP 9.90). Without the agreement, you'd pay the full overseas visitor rate.
Why travellers need to know
Reciprocal healthcare agreements exist between specific country pairs and provide public healthcare access at local rates. They're separate from EHIC (which is an EU-wide scheme). Coverage varies by agreement: some cover only emergency care, others include GP visits and prescriptions. Knowing whether an agreement exists between your home country and destination can save significant money and simplify healthcare access.
Country-specific notes
Agreements with Australia, NZ, and several non-EU countries
The UK has reciprocal healthcare agreements with Australia, New Zealand, and several other countries. Coverage varies: the Australia-UK agreement is comprehensive (GP, hospital, prescriptions), while others may cover only emergency care.
Frequently asked questions
How Nomedic helps
Store your Medicare card, NHS number, or national health ID in Nomedic so you can prove eligibility for reciprocal healthcare at the point of care.
Your health records, anywhere you go
Your national health ID, ready at any foreign clinic.
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