How to Register with a GP

Anyone who is a resident in England is entitled to register with an NHS GP practice. This includes:

• British citizens and settled residents
• EU/EEA nationals with pre-settled or settled status
• People on most types of visa, including student visas and work visas
• Asylum seekers and refugees (even if their application is pending)
• People with no fixed address or who are homeless

Overseas visitors who are not ordinarily resident in England are generally not entitled to free GP services, though emergency treatment is always provided. If you are unsure of your entitlement, contact NHS England or Citizens Advice.

To register with a GP practice:

1. Find local practices using the NHS website GP finder at nhs.uk — you can filter by distance, whether they are accepting new patients, and available services.
2. Contact the practice by phone or visit in person to ask about registration. Many practices now offer online registration via their website or the NHS App.
3. Complete a GMS1 registration form — the practice will provide this. You may also be asked to complete a new patient health questionnaire.
4. The practice may ask for proof of identity (passport, driving licence) or address (utility bill, bank statement), but is not legally required to see these before registering you.

Once registered, you will receive an NHS number if you do not already have one. Your previous GP records will be transferred automatically.

A GP practice can legitimately refuse to register you only if:

• Its patient list is closed (at full capacity)
• You live outside its practice area and it only registers patients from a defined catchment area

A practice cannot lawfully refuse you on grounds of race, gender, religion, disability, or because you are homeless or have no fixed address. If you believe you have been refused unlawfully, you can:

• Contact your local Integrated Care Board (ICB), which has a duty to allocate you to a practice if you cannot register elsewhere
• Contact NHS England on 0300 311 22 33
• Make a formal complaint via the NHS complaints procedure

Once registered with a GP practice, you can access a growing range of online services through the NHS App (available on iOS and Android) or your practice's own online portal:

• Book and cancel appointments
• Request repeat prescriptions and nominate a pharmacy
• View your medical record summary, test results, and letters
• Complete online consultation forms (e.g., eConsult, AccuRx) to describe symptoms and receive advice

To use the NHS App, you will need to verify your identity online. If you have difficulty with digital access, your practice must provide alternative ways to access services.