national travel health card

Healthcare abroad

Advice about healthcare if you're planning to visit or move to another country.

Get healthcare cover abroad with a UK GHIC or UK EHIC

Find out if you’re eligible to apply for a new UK EHIC or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)

Going abroad for treatment

Things to consider if you want or need medical treatment in Europe

Moving abroad

Advice about planning your healthcare if you're going to move or study abroad

Government advice about healthcare abroad

• GOV.UK: Healthcare for UK nationals visiting the EU
• GOV.UK: Healthcare agreements with non-EU countries

Where you can use your card

There are 2 types of cards available for healthcare cover when you’re travelling abroad. You can apply for either: 

• a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
• a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

These both provide the same cover, but the countries they are valid in can change.

If you need temporary cover for emergency treatment abroad and do not have one of these cards, you can apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) . A PRC gives you the same cover as a UK GHIC or UK EHIC would entitle you to, but you cannot apply for this in advance.

The following French Overseas Territories also accept UK GHICs and UK EHICs:

• French Guiana
• Saint-Martin

For more information on what is covered in the country you're visiting, check the guidance on the GOV.UK website . 

A UK EHIC or UK GHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance. It may not cover all health costs and never covers repatriation costs. Make sure you have travel insurance as well as a UK EHIC or UK GHIC.

Which countries are in the EU

The EU countries are:

• Republic of Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Netherlands

Using your card in Switzerland

You can only use your card in Switzerland if you're a:

• UK national
• Swiss national
• citizen of an EU country
• stateless person
• family member, dependant, or survivor of someone who holds one of these nationalities or statuses

You may be asked for proof of your nationality or your status when using your card in Switzerland.

Information for overseas students

If you’re a student studying in the EU or Switzerland:

• both a UK GHIC and a new UK EHIC will cover you for necessary state-provided healthcare within the EU and Switzerland, including your country of study
• you will not be able to use either card for treatment in Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Norway

If you’re a student studying in Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Norway:

• a new UK EHIC will cover you for necessary state-provided healthcare in your country of study and when visiting EU countries or Switzerland
• a UK GHIC will cover you for necessary state-provided healthcare when visiting the EU or Switzerland - you will not be able to use your card for treatment in your country of study

If you’re a national of a European Economic Area (EEA) country and lived in the UK before 31 December 2020, a UK EHIC will cover necessary state-funded healthcare in all EEA countries.

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• Knowledge Base - Home

Can I get a replacement UK Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC) or UK European Health Insurance Card (UK EHIC)?

If your UK GHIC is lost or stolen,  you can request a replacement using the online portal .

If you have an existing EHIC or applied for a UK GHIC before 29 June 2021,  you must apply for a new card .

Your card can take up to 15 working days to arrive. 

If you've not received your card after 15 working days,  contact us .

Related Articles (1)

EHIC expiring soon? Apply for your UK GHIC now

The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) following the UK’s exit from the EU.

More than 600,000 EHICs will expire between now and the end of 2022.

You can continue to use your EHIC until its expiry date. However, if your EHIC expires in the next six months, apply for your UK GHIC now and have it ready for your next holiday.

Whilst the government advises that you should always get travel insurance too, it’s worth having a UK GHIC. You can use your card to access medically necessary state-provided healthcare during your trip. Medically necessary healthcare includes things like:

• emergency treatment and visits to A&E
• treatment for a long-term or pre-existing medical condition
• routine medical care for pre-existing conditions that need monitoring
• routine maternity care, as long as you're not  going abroad to give birth
• oxygen therapy and kidney dialysis

You can use your UK GHIC, and your existing EHIC if it’s still in date, while visiting:

• a European Union (EU) country
• Switzerland

A UK GHIC may also become valid in more countries in the future so make sure you check www.nhs.uk/ghic before you travel.

Remember that the card may not cover all healthcare costs and you may have to pay for some services that you would get free on the NHS at home. Cards never cover repatriation costs.

Contact Information

Stuart hand.

Media and Campaigns Officer

NHS Business Services Authority

[email protected]

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Russia Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

Be aware of current health issues in Russia. Learn how to protect yourself.

Level 1 Practice Usual Precautions

• Global Measles July 24, 2024 Many international destinations are reporting increased numbers of cases of measles. Destination List: Afghanistan, Angola, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Liberia, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of South Sudan, Republic of the Congo, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Togo, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Zambia

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Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Russia.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Russia. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Russia.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Japanese Encephalitis

Recommended for travelers who

• Are moving to an area with Japanese encephalitis to live
• Spend long periods of time, such as a month or more, in areas with Japanese encephalitis
• Frequently travel to areas with Japanese encephalitis

Consider vaccination for travelers

• Spending less than a month in areas with Japanese encephalitis but will be doing activities that increase risk of infection, such as visiting rural areas, hiking or camping, or staying in places without air conditioning, screens, or bed nets
• Going to areas with Japanese encephalitis who are uncertain of their activities or how long they will be there

Not recommended for travelers planning short-term travel to urban areas or travel to areas with no clear Japanese encephalitis season. 

Japanese encephalitis - CDC Yellow Book

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine for US Children

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Dogs infected with rabies are sometimes found in Russia.

Rabies is also present in some terrestrial wildlife species.

If rabies exposures occur while in Russia, rabies vaccines may only be available in larger suburban/urban medical facilities.

Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.

Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.

For more information, see country rabies status assessments .

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Tick-borne Encephalitis

For travelers moving or traveling to TBE-endemic areas

TBE vaccine is recommended for persons who will have extensive exposure to ticks based on their planned outdoor activities and itinerary.

TBE vaccine may be considered for persons who might engage in outdoor activities in areas ticks are likely to be found. 

Tick-borne Encephalitis - CDC Yellow Book

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil
• Avoid floodwater

Clinical Guidance

Avoid bug bites.

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever

• Tick bite 
• Touching the body fluids of a person or animal infected with CCHF
• Avoid Bug Bites

Airborne & droplet

Avian/bird flu.

• Being around, touching, or working with infected poultry, such as visiting poultry farms or live-animal markets
• Avoid domestic and wild poultry
• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Russia, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Russia. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Russia include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Russia’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Russia may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in Russia, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Russia for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

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Healthcare for UK nationals visiting Spain

How to get state healthcare when you’re on holiday or travelling to Spain.

This information is about visiting Spain. There’s different guidance for healthcare if you’re going to live, study or work in Spain .

When you travel to Spain you should have either:

• a UK-issued Global Health Insurance Card ( GHIC )
• a UK-issued European Health Insurance Card ( EHIC )

A GHIC or EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. Make sure you have both before you travel.

What your GHIC or EHIC covers

A GHIC or EHIC covers state healthcare, not private treatment.

With a GHIC or EHIC you can get medically necessary treatment in Spain on the same basis as a Spanish citizen. This means that you’ll get healthcare services for free or at a reduced cost.

A GHIC or EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance - it does not cover everything, such as mountain rescue or being flown back to the UK (medical repatriation). Make sure you have both before you travel to Spain.

You may need to pay in full for treatment if you do not have a GHIC , EHIC or Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC).

How to apply

Apply for a GHIC for free on the NHS website

How to use it

Show your GHIC or EHIC when you visit any state hospital or doctor. You cannot use either card for private healthcare.

Find out what an EHIC covers in Spain.

Find an English-speaking doctor in Spain.

If you do not have your GHIC or EHIC with you

You’ll need to apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) if you need treatment and do not have your GHIC or EHIC , or your card is lost or stolen abroad.

Call the Overseas Healthcare Services. This is part of the NHS Business Services Authority (BSA).

NHS Overseas Healthcare Services Telephone: +44 (0)191 218 1999 Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

Travelling with a health condition

Buy travel insurance with healthcare cover for your condition. Your GHIC or EHIC will cover medically necessary treatment.

See the Money and Pensions Service MoneyHelper website for guidance on buying travel insurance if you:

• have a pre-existing medical condition or disability
• are aged over 65

Bring any documents about your health condition or what medication you’re taking.

If you need to have treatment while you’re in Spain, you may need to pre-arrange it. For example, if you need oxygen treatment or dialysis.

You cannot take some products prescribed for health conditions with you into the EU. These include special food required for medical reasons containing meat or dairy. There are some exemptions. Read more about taking animal products, food or plants with you into the EU on the Your Europe website.

Speak to your doctor in the UK for advice before you travel.

Getting prescriptions

You can use a UK prescription to get medicines, including special food required for medical reasons, in Spain.

Prescription medicines are not free in Spain. With a GHIC or EHIC you get a reduced rate, but you’ll still pay:

• 50% of the prescription price
• 10% of the prescription price if you have a UK State Pension - you may need to show proof that you’re a pensioner to pay this rate

These prescription charges are non-refundable.

If you need oxygen therapy during your visit

You can get oxygen therapy with a GHIC or EHIC , but you need to arrange this before you travel.

You must send a written request to the Spanish health authority in the area you plan to visit at least one month before you travel.

Find out how to request oxygen therapy in Spain. This guide includes:

• a letter template in Spanish that you can download and complete
• a list of contact details for Spanish health authorities

Bringing medicine with you

You need a letter to prove your medicine is prescribed to you if it contains a ‘controlled drug’. You may need to show this at the border when you’re entering or leaving the UK and Spain.

You may also need a licence for controlled drugs if:

• your trip is longer than 3 months
• you’re travelling with more than 3 months’ supply

Read more about travelling with controlled medicines .

You should also contact your nearest Spanish consulate before you travel, to find out if you need to apply for a Spanish licence.

Travelling to have planned treatment

You cannot use a GHIC or EHIC for non-urgent planned treatment - for example, if you’re going abroad to give birth.

Read the NHS guide to going abroad for medical treatment .

Updates to this page

Updated to reflect the rules on taking food prescribed for medical reasons to EEA countries and Switzerland.

Updated page to reflect that European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) will continue to be accepted in Spain from 1 January 2021.

Updated section: ‘Using an EHIC from 1 January 2021’. Students and people with a registered S1 can now apply for a new UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) that will remain valid from 1 January 2021.

Link to the latest coronavirus (COVID-19) travel advice added.

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Overview of Russia’s Healthcare System

Russia’s constitution has provided citizens with the right to free healthcare since 1996. Russia’s healthcare is provided by the state through the Federal Compulsory Medical Insurance Fund. It is regulated by the Ministry of Health. Russia’s public health care plan is often referred to as OMI or obligatory medical insurance. It is funded through payroll contributions and employer contributions.

OMI covers the cost of inpatient care and all procedures that require an overnight stay at the hospital, plus chronic conditions, maternal and newborn care, vaccinations, and more.

Read: Understanding Russia’s Healthcare System

Benefits of Private Medical Insurance in Russia

It is not common for citizens to hold private or “voluntary” insurance from independent companies in Russia. The term “voluntary” is used to distinguish private insurance from public or “mandatory” state-sponsored insurance. Only about 5% of the population takes out private insurance. However, this is higher in Moscow at about 20%. That said, while it isn’t common among the local population, a private medical plan is essential for foreigners.

Private medical facilities have modern medical equipment, shorter waiting times, and greater access to specialist care. Unfortunately, they’re not always easy to find. Private facilities are most commonly associated with cities, as healthcare options in rural areas are limited. If you live or spend a lot of time in remote areas, choose a policy that includes air evacuations as an option.

Most importantly, a private insurance plan means access to English-speaking staff. While some physicians in Russia speak English, this is far from a guarantee in public facilities. Private health plans help patients avoid this difficult situation. Your insurance team ensures there’s a doctor you can communicate with when it matters most.

Best Global Insurance Plan for Expatriates Living in Russia

Cigna Global Insurance Plan

• The flexibility to tailor a plan to suit your individual needs
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Best Health Insurance in Russia for US Citizens

Xplorer Worldwide Medical Plan

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• For Foreigners in the US or US citizens abroad

Pros and Cons of Using the Local Health Care System

There was a time when Russia’s healthcare system was second to none. It had a reputation for being innovative and embracing cutting-edge science. There are still some traces of this once-renowned system if you look carefully. For instance, there are about 9.3 hospital beds per 1,000 members of the population. This is nearly double the OECD average. However, Russia’s healthcare system has suffered considerably since the end of the Soviet Union.

Russia is struggling to return back to the level of investment it once had. As such, access to specialists and modern diagnostic equipment can be a problem, especially for those in rural areas. Many hospitals are old and in dire need of updating. Russia’s financial crisis of 2014 only made this situation worse as hospital budgets were cut. In short, Russia’s hospitals are not places you want to be unless you really need treatment

How Expats Can Qualify For Russia Health Insurance

Public health insurance is available to anyone who is legally living and working in Russia. However, it’s not enough to start your new job and hope for the best. Foreigners are required to hold private medical insurance in order to get a Russian work visa before they arrive. As such, you are covered for any medical emergency in the time period between when you arrive in the country and when you start working,

For those who cannot contribute to OMI, including retirees who are not working, you can still access free public healthcare as part of a program that takes care of the unemployed, children, and those unable to work.

What You Need To Know About Processes

For expats employed by Russian companies, the process of signing up for Russia health insurance is relatively easy. Employers finance OMI through payroll contributions. Your employer will pay between two and three percent of your salary into a social tax. A percentage of this tax is then paid into Russia’s national healthcare fund. Once your employer pays this contribution, you are considered enrolled in the health system. As such, you have the right to free medical care from public clinics and hospitals.

How To Find A Family Physician

Compared to other countries, there are relatively few general practitioners in Russia versus the number of specialist practitioners. As such, finding a family physician can be challenging. Most new expats ask their friends, colleagues, and other expats for recommendations for a clinic in their neighborhood. In Russia, there are virtually no private physician offices. Nearly all doctors see their patients in a clinic or a hospital environment.

Read: Hospitals in Russia for Foreigners and Visitors

How Routine Doctor Visits Work in Russia

Finding a general practitioner in Russia is essential. Your GP is the only person who can refer you to specialists or hospitals. The process of finding a GP, arranging for a referral, and waiting for an appointment slot with that specialist can take months. Therefore, it’s important to connect with your doctor long before you’re sick, if possible.

Your GP is also responsible for providing prescriptions for medication. Medication can only be obtained from a local pharmacy. Patients will find a variety of stand-alone, independent pharmacies, and larger chains, some of which operate out of supermarkets. In major cities like Moscow and St Petersburg, there are 24-hour pharmacies and those that offer delivery. However, an estimated 70% of medication sold in Russia is either counterfeit or of a low quality. Speak with your embassy and other expats for their trusted recommendations.

Read: Find an International Doctor

Public Health and Drinking Water

Safe drinking water is a concern throughout Russia. St Petersburg’s water system, in particular, is known for having problems with the parasite Giardia. An estimated 56% of Moscow’s water supply fails safety standards and is tainted by pollution and heavy metals. As a result, it’s common for hotels and other large properties to have their own water filtration system. However, when in doubt, it’s best to opt for bottled water over tap water.

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Moscow CityPass

The Moscow CityPass is a tourist card that gives you free entry to more than 40 top attractions in the Russian capital, including the Kremlin and Saint Basil's Cathedral.

Included attractions

The  10 most popular attractions  included with the Moscow CityPass are:

• Saint Basil's Cathedral
• Bunker-42 Museum
• Tretyakov Gallery
• Tsaritsyno Palace Museum
• Museum of the Patriotic War 1812
• State Historical Museum
• Great Wooden Palace of Tsar Alexis I in Kolomenskoye
• Moscow Sightseeing Bus Pass
• Moscow River Cruise

Moscow CityPass Prices

You can buy the Moscow CityPass for a duration of 1, 2, 3 or 5 days depending how long you're planning to spend in the city.

Is it worth it?

Entrance into these attractions is worth much more than the cost of the CityPass, yet it offers even more, for example, the Pushkin Museum , the Museum of the History of Vodka and the Museum of Contemporary History , among others, plus discounts at restaurants, shows and shops. If you're already planning to visit these sights, then it's well worth buying the CityPass to save money on tickets.

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Moscow has seen its fair share of history, from invasions to revolutions: these days it is home to a wealth of culture and is one of the most populated capitals in the world.

Russian National Ballet

Ballet is one of the most emblematic symbols of Russian culture, a dance that has infiltrated countries the world over. Watch a performance in Moscow!

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U.S. Embassy Moscow, Russia - MOS

Please follow the steps below before your immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Embassy Moscow, Russia

Step 1: Register your appointment online

You need to register your appointment online. Registering your appointment provides us with the information we need to return your passport to you after your interview. Registration is free. Click the “Register” button below to register.

If you want to cancel or reschedule your appointment, you will be able to do so after you register your appointment.

Register >>

Step 2: Get a medical exam in Russia

As soon as you receive your appointment date, you must schedule a medical exam in Russia. Click the “Medical Exam Instructions” button below for a list of designated doctor’s offices in Russia. Please schedule and attend a medical exam with one of these doctors before your interview.

Medical Exam Instructions >>

Step 3: Complete your pre-interview checklist

It is important that you bring all required original documents to your interview. We’ve created a checklist that will tell you what to bring. Please print the checklist below and bring it to your interview along with the listed documents.

Pre-Interview Checklist >>

Step 4: Review interview guidelines

Read our interview guidelines to learn about any special actions that you need to take before your visa interview.

Interview Guidelines >>

Medical Exam Instructions

All immigrant visa applicants, regardless of age, require a medical examination prior to the issuance of a visa. Only a physician accredited by the U.S. Embassy can perform this exam. It is your responsibility to schedule a medical exam with one of the doctors listed below before your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy. Medical examination results from other physicians will not be accepted.

Approved physicians

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION (IOM)

Appointment should be scheduled by phone: 7(495) 797-8723 and 8(800) 700-8723 To register for medical examination electronically please follow the web link: russia.iom.int Appointment hours: Mon-Thu 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Fri 8:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Cost of medical examination: not higher than the ruble equivalent of $210 (adults) and $150 (children under 15 years old).

Items to bring to your medical examination

The doctor will need the following items to complete the medical exam forms:

• Your visa interview letter
• Your passport
• Five (5) recently taken passport-sized color photographs,
• A copy of your immunization records
• DS-260 Confirmation page

Any medical examination fees, including x-ray and blood test fees, must be paid directly to the examining physician.

During the medical exam

The medical examination will include a medical history review, physical examination, and chest X-ray and blood tests (for applicants 15 years of age or older). The United States also requires tuberculosis (TB) testing for all applicants two years of age and older. Please be prepared to discuss your medical history, medications you are taking, and current treatments you are undergoing. More information on general medical requirements for U.S. immigrants is available on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's website .

U.S. immigration law requires immigrant visa applicants to obtain certain vaccinations prior to the issuance of a visa. Current immigrant visa vaccination requirements are available on CDC's website . You can also read Frequently Asked Questions about our medical examination requirements on Travel.State.Gov .

After the medical exam

When your examination is completed, the doctor will either provide you with exam results in a sealed envelope, or send them directly to the U.S. Consulate. IF GIVEN AN ENVELOPE TO CARRY TO YOUR INTERVIEW, DO NOT OPEN THIS ENVELOPE . Instead, bring it to your visa interview.

Any x-rays taken will be given to you. You DO NOT need to bring the x-rays to your visa interview unless you suffer from tuberculosis (TB). However, you must carry the x-rays with you when you travel to the United States for the first time. The medical report must be less than six months old when you enter the United States as an immigrant.

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Pre-Interview checklist

Please use the list below to determine the items that every applicant must bring to the immigrant visa interview:

• A copy of your NVC interview letter (does not apply to Diversity Visa, fiancé(e), adoptive, or asylee/refugee applicants).
• Unexpired passport valid for six months beyond your intended date of entry to the United States and a photocopy of the biographic page (where your name and photo are located).
• Two (2) color passport-size photographs of each person applying for a visa (5 cm x 5 cm, or 2 inch x 2 inch). Please review our online photo requirements .
• Confirmation page from the Form DS-260 Application for an Immigrant Visa you submitted online at ceac.state.gov/iv .
• Your original birth certificate and a photocopy. English translations are required only if your documents are in a language other than Russian.
• Medical examination results in a sealed envelope (if the physician gives you these results) .
• Original or certified copies of birth certificates for all children of the principal applicant (even if he or she is not accompanying) .

Applicants who fall into any category listed in italics below should bring these additional documents:

For family-based visa applications:

• The appropriate Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for each financial sponsor along with a photocopy of the sponsor’s IRS transcript or most recent U.S. federal income tax return, and any relevant W-2s.
• Proof of your U.S. petitioner’s status and domicile in the United States (photocopy of a U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or lawful permanent resident card).
• Evidence of the relationship between the petitioner and visa applicant (such as photographs, letters, or emails).

If you are married: Your original marriage certificate and a photocopy. English translations are required only if your documents are in a language other than Russian.

If you were previously married: Your original divorce or spouse’s death certificate and a photocopy. English translations are required only if your documents are in a language other than Russian.

If you are older than 16 years of age: The original police certificate from your country of current residence and countries of previous residence. The police certificate must include all of your current and past legal names. If these three items are all true, you must bring a more recent police certificate to the interview:

• You are older than 16 years;
• You obtained a police certificate more than one year ago; and
• You still live in the country that issued the police certificate.

For employment-based visa applications: Letter from your U.S. employer dated less than one month ago.

If you have ever been convicted of a crime: Court and criminal records, English translation and a photocopy.

If you have served in any country’s military: Military records and a photocopy. English translations are required only if your documents are in a language other than Russian.

If you are adopted: Adoption papers or custody documents and a photocopy. English translations are required only if your documents are in a language other than Russian.

If you are the petitioner’s stepchild: The original marriage certificate of the petitioner and your biological parent, and a photocopy along with divorce records for any previous marriages of either parent. English translations are required only if your documents are in a language other than Russia

Interview Guidelines

Sending documents to the U.S. Embassy Moscow, Russia

If the U.S. Embassy/Consulate requested additional information or documentation from you, you must submit those documents at a Pony Express Document Drop-off Locations. This web page explains how to submit your documents for delivery to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate.

Rescheduling or cancelling your interview

If you are unable to attend your appointment, please visit ustraveldocs.com . There may be a significant wait before the next available appointment, so please attempt to attend the date already assigned. For some family-based and employment preference visa categories, a visa became available within the month you have been scheduled by NVC. DV applicants should be aware that visas are numerically limited and must be issued by September 30 of the program year. There is no guarantee that a visa will still be available on the date of your rescheduled interview. Please carefully consult the Visa Bulletin before you decide to reschedule you interview.

Please note: You need to register your original NVC/KCC appointment online before you can reschedule it. Rescheduling is only possible on a date after your assigned appointment.

Security screening procedures

All visitors to the U.S. Embassy Russia must follow certain security procedures. Any visitor who declines to be screened by U.S. Embassy security personnel will be unable to enter the Embassy. To avoid delaying your entry and that of those in line behind you, please bring only what is required for your interview. If you leave items in your car, be sure to put them in the trunk and lock your car; do not leave any personal items in view in the passenger compartment.

Accompanying persons

The following persons may accompany a visa applicant to their interview:

• Special Needs Visitors: Applicants may bring ONE person to help if they are elderly, disabled, or a minor child.
• Petitioners may accompany the applicant.

Attorneys are not permitted to accompany clients into the waiting room or to their interview.

Immigrant visa fees

If you have not paid all required fees to either the National Visa Center or via the appointment website, please be prepared to pay these fees on the day of your interview.

All fees may be paid in U.S. dollars or in rubles. We accept cash and credit cards only. Please note that if you are found ineligible to receive a visa, the application fee cannot be refunded. A complete list of fees can be found here .

Do not make travel plans outside of U.S. Embassy Moscow, Russia

If your visa is approved, we will keep your passport at the Embassy while we prepare your immigration packet and print a visa for your passport. We will return your passport to you later via courier services only. If you have to travel within Russia while your passport is still with us, please make sure you have a valid picture ID other than your passport.

After Your Visa Interview

A consular officer can make a decision on a visa application only after reviewing the formal application and interviewing the applicant. There is no guarantee that you will receive a visa. Do not sell your house, car or property, resign from your job or make non-refundable flight or other travel arrangements until you have received your immigrant visa.

If more information is needed

Sometimes a consular officer is unable to make a decision on a visa application because he/she needs to review additional documents or the case requires further administrative processing. When additional documents are requested , the consular officer will give you a refusal letter that asks you to submit additional documents. The letter will include instructions on how to send those documents to the Embassy.

Administrative processing takes additional time after the interview. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days. However, the timing varies based on the circumstances of each case. Before inquiring about the status of administrative processing, please wait at least 60 days after your interview.

What happens after visa approval

Passport, Visa, and Sealed Immigrant Packet – We will place your immigrant visa on a page in your passport. Please review your visa to make sure there are no spelling errors. We will also give you a sealed envelope containing documents that you must give to U.S. immigration authorities when you arrive in the United States for the first time. Do not open this envelope. You must carry it with you; do not put it in your checked luggage.  If you receive X-rays during your medical examination, carry those with you and give them to the U.S. immigration authorities.

When You Should Travel – You must enter the United States before the expiration date on your visa, which is either three or six months from the date of your medical exam. The principal applicant must enter before or at the same time as other family members with visas. Unless they are eligible for benefits under the Child Status Protection Act, children who are issued a visa before turning 21 years of age must enter the United States before their 21st birthday to avoid losing their immigrant status.

Getting a Green Card – Your Form I-551 Permanent Resident Card, also known as a green card, will be automatically mailed to the address in the United States that you write in your visa application form. This very important document proves you have permission to reside in the United States. If you plan to travel outside the U.S. before your green card arrives: Please consult USCIS’s and CBP’s websites for rules about what documents you need to re-enter the country. We also recommend you check with the airline to ensure you are in compliance with their rules. Once your card is issued, you should not stay outside of the United States for more than one year. If you do, you will lose your status as a Lawful Permanent Resident.

Children’s Issues – Children are required to have certain vaccinations before they can enroll in school in the United States. Therefore, we recommend that you bring your child’s complete vaccination records with you to the United States. Additionally, if your child is adopted, you have full custody as a result of a divorce, or you share custody with the child’s other parent, we recommend that you bring a copy of all applicable adoption or custodial papers from the authoritative court in your home country. You will likely need these papers (translated into English) in the United States for issues such as school enrollment, medical care, and eventual citizenship.

Information for New Immigrants – Please visit the USCIS web page for helpful information on moving to the United States. You can read their publication “ Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants” online.

Diversity Visa Applicants - Additional Information

If you are interviewing for a Diversity Visa (DV), all of the above instructions apply to you. Please schedule and attend a medical examination prior to your visa interview; enroll in the required courier service; and gather the required documents.

Below are additional instructions that apply only to DV applicants.

Bring to your interview

In addition to the documents listed on the Pre-Interview Checklist in this package, DV applicants should also bring the following items to your visa interview:

• Appointment information printed from the “Entrant Status Check” on the E-DV website .
• Documents showing that you have either a qualifying high school education OR have two years of qualifying work experience in the last five years immediately prior to application (for the principal applicant only; more information is available online ). Also bring any documents shwoing education beyond high school.
• Payment in cash of the $330 Diversity Visa Application Fee for each applicant.  

Review your DV Lottery entry

Prior to your visa interview, we recommend that you review the data on your initial E-DV entry. On your initial E-DV application, you must have correctly entered your marital status. If you are legally married you must have listed your spouse, even if you are currently separated from him/her (unless your spouse is a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident).

Additionally, you must have listed ALL of your living children who are unmarried and under 21 years old. This includes your natural children, your spouse’s children, or children you have formally adopted in accordance with the laws of your country.

Failure to have listed an existing spouse or children at the time of your entry in the Diversity Visa lottery will result in the denial of your visa and visas for your family. Any fees paid to the U.S. government in support of your visa application(s) are nonrefundable. If you failed to include a child who had already been born, or a spouse to whom you were married when you entered the lottery, you should not proceed with the visa application. You can review the eligibility requirements online .

Last Updated: 9/25/2019

Contact Information

Consular Section Bolshoy Deviatinsky Pereulok N0.8 121099 Moscow, Russia

Other Links

Diversity visa instructions After your interview Frequently asked questions Where to find Civil Documents

Interview Preparation Video

External Link

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Message from BOT Chair John Preyer, Search Committee Chair Cristy Page on Lee H. Roberts

During his time as interim chancellor, he set a vision for the University rooted in its core mission to serve the state of North Carolina, educate the next generation of leaders and conduct life-changing research.

Dear Carolina Community,   

We are excited to share the news that the UNC Board of Governors has elected Lee H. Roberts as University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s 13th chancellor. The entire Carolina community is invited to watch Chancellor Roberts’ acceptance speech at 2 p.m. today via a livestream . 

Over the past six months, the Chancellor Search Advisory Committee heard from a wide range of constituents about the characteristics they wanted in their next leader. The themes that prevailed included a deep passion and love for the University, a drive to excel in everything Carolina does and a profound commitment to serving our state. The committee took all the feedback seriously and incorporated it into the job posting as well as the attributes we looked for in potential candidates.   

After completing our interviews, we passed a slate of finalists on to UNC System President Peter Hans. What stood out to us about Chancellor Roberts was the fact that during his time as the interim chancellor he set a vision for the University rooted in its core mission to serve the state of North Carolina, educate the next generation of leaders and conduct life-changing research. Now that he has been elected, we look forward to working with him as he continues to guide our University with humility, empathy and determination.  

Chancellor Roberts is an advocate for higher education and for the state of North Carolina. Prior to serving as interim chancellor, he served as a member of the UNC Board of Governors and as the chair of its budget committee. He has held positions on the State Board of Community Colleges, North Carolina’s Banking Commission and the Board of Visitors at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, where for the last five years he taught public budgeting to graduate students. Chancellor Roberts has also served as a board member at the Golden LEAF Foundation, which invests in educational and economic opportunities for North Carolina’s rural communities. He served as state budget director under Gov. Pat McCrory from 2014 to 2016, and he was the co-founder and managing partner of SharpVue Capital, a North Carolina investment firm that specializes in stewarding institutional funds and growing local economies.  

We want to thank our colleagues on the search advisory committee for their time and effort during the recruitment process. We also thank the dedicated constituents – students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and community members – who offered input about what they wanted in our next chancellor. The feedback gleaned through several listening sessions, informal conversations and an online survey and nomination form that garnered 3,100 responses offered valuable insights in helping to identify our next leader.  

Please join us in congratulating Chancellor Roberts and welcoming him officially as Carolina’s 13th chancellor.  

Sincerely,   

John Preyer  

Chair, Board of Trustees  

Cristy Page  

Chair, Chancellor Search Advisory Committee  

Executive Dean, UNC School of Medicine  

Chief Academic Officer, UNC Health

The Carolina community welcomed Lee H. Roberts as the University's 13th chancellor with a campus event Aug. 9 at the Kenan Center.

Carolina welcomes Lee H. Roberts as 13th chancellor

“I’m here to listen and learn, to partner with you,” Roberts told the campus at an Aug. 9 event.

Message from Lee H. Roberts on becoming Carolina’s 13th chancellor 

“I truly believe there is no better job in the world than leading Carolina and building on its remarkable legacy of excellence,” Roberts says in this video to campus. 

Read UNC System President Peter Hans’ chancellor nominating statement

Hans says that Lee H. Roberts “has shown a willingness to listen, to learn, to approach difficult moments with humility.”

Carolina faculty trio win Fulbright awards

Scholars in nursing, Latin American studies, and exercise and nutrition will travel to Nepal, Spain and Finland.

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Dignitaries from three African nations and the N.C. National Guard learned about research advances here and abroad.

Trading cards show Carolina’s Olympic connections

Fifteen cards feature the faces and feats of famous Tar Heels and some hidden priceless gems.

En route to second Olympics, Aranza Vazquez finds peace of mind

Carolina diver heads to Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games after competing in Tokyo in 2021.

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