Does Canada Have NHS? A Quick Guide for UK Nationals Moving to Canada

For UK nationals considering a move to Canada, healthcare is often one of the biggest question marks. On the surface, both countries offer publicly funded healthcare, which can make the Canadian system seem familiar to anyone used to the NHS. But once you look closer, the differences become clear.

The NHS operates as a single, national system with broadly consistent rules across the UK. Canada, by contrast, runs its healthcare at the provincial and territorial level. This affects everything from what services are covered to how long you may wait for care, to whether you’ll need private insurance alongside public coverage.

Understanding these differences before you arrive can help you avoid gaps in coverage, unexpected costs, and frustration during your first months in Canada. This guide breaks down how the two systems compare, what UK nationals should expect, and how to plan ahead.

Key takeaways

• Canada does not have an NHS-style national health service; healthcare is managed by individual provinces and territories
• Coverage rules vary by province, and you may face waiting periods when you move or change provinces
• Public healthcare in Canada mainly covers doctor visits and hospital care, not prescriptions, dental, or vision for most adults
• Finding a family doctor in Canada can take time, especially in major cities
• Both the UK and Canada struggle with waiting times, but they are measured and experienced differently
• Private health insurance is common in Canada and often essential for newcomers
• Planning your healthcare and insurance before arriving can save money and reduce stress during your transition.

UK NHS  vs Canadian Healthcare System

While the NHS operates as a centralized system across the UK, Canada’s publicly funded healthcare is administered at the provincial and territorial level. This means each province has its own health insurance plan and set of rules, often leading to differences in coverage. For instance, the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) may cover different services or reimburse providers differently than Alberta’s system.

This approach means that if you relocate to a new province, you typically need to register for that province’s health plan and may face a waiting period before coverage kicks in. Coverage between the provinces is also challenging to understand when travelling to a different province or territory – especially in Quebec, which may charge you out-of-pocket and you’ll have to apply to your home province for reimbursement. It’s also tricky if your home province doesn’t cover services you receive while travelling, since you may be left out-of-pocket for those fees.

In other words, it’s wise to check your local health authority’s website to learn exactly what is covered and how to obtain a provincial health card and to consider whether you’d prefer to have private coverage for travel within Canada.

1. Gaps in Coverage Beyond Doctor Visits

Canadian public health plans primarily cover doctor visits and hospital stays. Many Canadians rely on employer-provided or private insurance to help pay for dental care, optometry, prescription medications, physiotherapy, and other services that are not fully covered by the public system.

This partial coverage can cause confusion for newcomers. For example, if you need prescription medication outside of a hospital setting, you may be responsible for all or part of the cost unless you have private or supplemental insurance or unless it is covered by the province (and not all provinces offer this coverage). As a result, many individuals seek out additional insurance policies to manage these expenses.

2. Both Systems Are Experiencing Shortages

Both the NHS and Canada’s healthcare system are frequently discussed in the media due to ongoing shortages and delays that make accessing healthcare challenging. There are definitely challenges unique to the Canadian system in this regard, such as the prevalence of backcountry rescues as well as lack of access to adequate healthcare in regional areas – due to Canada’s expansive size, there are significant geographical areas that have very limited access to basic care, let alone specialist services.

So, if you’re used to having access to everything you need within an hour or two in the UK, you might want to consider your medical needs when you decide where to settle in Canada.

3. GP in the UK vs Family Doctor in Canada

In the UK, most people register with a GP through the NHS. Your GP is usually your first point of contact for non-emergency care and acts as a gatekeeper to specialist services. Appointments are free at the point of use, but getting a same-day slot can be difficult in some areas, and patients are typically registered to a single practice rather than an individual doctor.

In Canada, the equivalent role is the family doctor. Like UK GPs, family doctors provide ongoing, general care and manage referrals to specialists. The key difference is access. Many newcomers find it challenging to get a family doctor at all, especially in larger cities, and may rely on walk-in clinics for months or even years. Once you do have a family doctor, you are usually rostered to that specific physician rather than just a clinic.

4. Health-care waiting times in the UK and Canada

Both countries struggle with long waits. The UK has more people waiting within a single national system, while Canada tends to have fewer patients overall but longer waits from referral to treatment, depending on where you live.

The NHS has a large treatment backlog. In England alone, over seven million people are waiting for consultant-led care. Millions are waiting longer than the NHS target of 18 weeks, and a significant number have been waiting a year or more. These figures mainly reflect waits after a GP referral, not the time it takes to get a GP appointment itself, which can also be lengthy depending on location. The pressure is system-wide and well-documented.

In Canada, waiting times are usually measured as the total time from referral by a family doctor to receiving treatment. Nationally, the median wait is just under 29 weeks for elective specialist care. That’s an improvement from recent years, but still far longer than in the past. Waiting times vary widely by province and by specialty, with some regions experiencing much longer delays.

Importance of Private Health Insurance in Canada for UK Nationals

About 60% of canadians have some forms of private health insurance, often through an employer benefits package, to help cover items that the public plan does not include. This typically extends to prescription drugs, dental care, vision care, and rehabilitative services like physiotherapy. If you’re self-employed, you can still purchase a private plan, but it can be costly.

An annual premium for you and a partner is usually at least $3,000 Canadian dollars. These policies vary in what they cover, so it’s wise to read the details carefully. This supplemental coverage can save you significant out-of-pocket costs if you regularly need prescription drugs or other services not funded by the province. Further, employers offering health benefits packages might be able to attract and retain staff more easily, as otherwise those costs might be paid by an individual or couple—either through a private insurance plan or out of pocket.

Costs for UK Visitors or Temporary Residents Without Coverage

If you haven’t yet qualified for Canada’s provincial health insurance, you’ll need to pay all medical fees directly. A routine doctor’s visit might cost around CAD $100 or more, while lab tests, imaging, and specialty visits can quickly add hundreds—or even thousands—to your tab. Many clinics ask for payment upfront, a practice that can feel more American than British.

This underscores the importance of travel insurance or short-term health coverage if you’re in the process of settling in Canada. Paying out of pocket can become very expensive, especially if you need urgent care or require multiple tests.

Planning Your Healthcare Journey from UK to Canada

Whether you’re moving to Canada from the UK or just curious about the differences, it’s essential to understand how provincial coverage and private insurance work together. Make a plan for your own healthcare before you arrive, especially if you take regular medications or need ongoing treatments. If possible, secure extended prescriptions or additional insurance coverage to cushion the transition.

Moving2Canada works with a range of insurance providers to help ensure newcomers are adequately covered for their time in Canada. Feel free to get your free quote(s) via the links below, if you’re interested in insurance from reputable companies that offer fair pricing:

Coming to Canada via the IEC?

The particular insurance requirements for the International Experience Canada (IEC) program mean participants must take out an eligible policy before arriving.

After a decade-plus of helping Brits make Canada their home, we can recommend two IEC health insurance providers that stand out among the many, many options. Both BestQuote and True Traveller provide a quick, free quote and heaps of transparency. So, there’s no risk in getting a quote from either or both!

Coming to Canada as a permanent resident?

Coming to Canada as a permanent resident and want coverage for your first few months in Canada? Check out Cigna Healthcare, where you can get a free quote in two minutes.

Finally, remember that even with these challenges, many newcomers appreciate Canada’s public healthcare system for its accessibility to core doctor and hospital services. Like the NHS, it aims to limit out-of-pocket costs for essential care and keep medical bills from spiralling. With a bit of research and planning, you can navigate this system and find the right mix of public and private coverage for your needs.

Further Healthcare Resources for UK Nationals in Canada

• Wondering about your UK prescription options? Dive into our article, where we explore everything you need to know about obtaining a prescription in Canada. Discover the process and make informed decisions about your healthcare!
• Discover here everything you need to know about private health insurance to cover your first months in Canada while waiting for provincial coverage.
• All you need to know about the Canadian Healthcare System

UK’s NHS and Canada’s Healthcare System FAQs

What is the NHS called in Canada?

Canada does not have a single national health service like the NHS. Instead, health care is run by each province and territory. Public health coverage is often referred to as provincial health insurance or Medicare (for example, OHIP in Ontario or MSP in British Columbia).

Does Canada have a free NHS?

In Canada, medically necessary care, such as visits to a family doctor or hospital treatment, is publicly funded through provincial health insurance, and there are also no fees at the point of care for these services, so you could say those services are “for free”.
But things like prescriptions, dental care, and vision care are usually not covered for adults in most of the provinces.

Is healthcare better in Canada or the UK?

Neither system is clearly “better”; they work differently. The UK offers more consistent national coverage through the NHS, but often struggles with large waiting lists. Canada typically has shorter hospital queues overall, but longer waits to access family doctors and specialist care, depending on the province. The experience in either country can vary widely based on where you live, your immigration satus and your personal health needs.