Living in the UK·4 min read
How to Register with a GP in the UK
Published 10 July 2026
Registering with a GP (a local doctor, short for General Practitioner) is one of the first things to sort out when you settle in the UK. It is free, and your GP is usually the first place you go when you are unwell or need most NHS services.
Why register with a GP?
Your GP surgery is your main point of contact for the NHS. Registering means you can:
- Book appointments when you are ill.
- Get referrals to hospitals and specialists.
- Get most prescriptions.
- Access routine care such as vaccinations and health checks.
How to register
- Find a GP surgery near where you live, using the NHS website.
- Contact the surgery or fill in its online registration form.
- Give your details. If you have an NHS number you can share it, but you do not need one to register.
- Once registered, you can start booking appointments.
What you do and do not need
You do not need proof of address, photo ID, or any immigration status to register with a GP. A surgery should not turn you away for not having these. Bringing them can make things quicker, but they are not required.
Registering early, before you are unwell, means you are ready when you need care.