How to get free NHS prescriptions (and what to do if you have to pay)

If you pay for NHS prescriptions in England, it's worth checking whether you actually need to. Most people are entitled to free prescriptions - around 90% of all prescription items are dispensed without charge, according to the NHSBSA. If you're currently paying, you may not have to be.

This guide explains how NHS prescription charges work in England in 2026, who qualifies for free prescriptions, which medical conditions are on the exemption list, and how a Prepayment Certificate could save you money if you do have to pay.

The NHS prescription charge in England is £9.90 per item. It was set at this level in May 2024 and has been frozen since - confirmed again for 2026/27.

The charge applies per item, not per prescription form. If your GP prescribes three different medications on one form, you pay £9.90 for each - £29.70 in total.

Income Support and income-based Jobseeker's Allowance were abolished from 1 April 2026, as part of the move to Universal Credit. From 15 April 2026, neither is a valid exemption category for NHS prescriptions. This affects all claimants - entitlement does not carry over automatically.

If you previously used either of these to get free prescriptions, check whether you now qualify through Universal Credit or another route.

Most people who are exempt from prescription charges fall into one of the categories below. Most exemptions are automatic - you tick the relevant box on the prescription form and sign a declaration. Some require a valid certificate.

You automatically qualify if you are:

No certificate is needed. Your date of birth is usually recorded electronically, so you won't need to show proof at the pharmacy in most cases.

You qualify if you:

You can apply for a maternity exemption certificate as soon as your pregnancy is confirmed - ask your midwife, GP, or health visitor to start the application using Form FW8. The certificate is normally valid until the day before your baby's first birthday. If your baby arrives later than expected, the NHSBSA can extend the expiry date on receipt of a copy of the birth certificate.

You also qualify if you - or your partner or a dependent - receives any of the following:

Tax Credits were also removed as a valid exemption category in April 2025. If you were using Tax Credits previously, check your current status.

This is the area that catches the most people out. There's a fixed list of qualifying conditions - and it hasn't changed significantly since it was introduced. Cancer treatment was added to the list in 2009, but very few conditions have been added since the scheme began.

Having a qualifying condition isn't enough on its own - you also need to hold a valid medical exemption certificate. Without one, you'll still be charged.

The conditions that qualify are:

Ask your GP surgery to start the application - once they've confirmed your condition, they'll submit it to the NHSBSA on your behalf. The certificate is valid for five years. You'll receive a reminder around a month before it expires, but it's worth keeping track yourself to make sure you're always covered.

Once your certificate is in place, tick box 'E' on the prescription form when collecting medication.

If you don't qualify under any of the automatic exemptions but are on a low income, you may still be able to get help with NHS health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme.

Apply using the HC1 form, available from GP surgeries, hospitals, or the NHSBSA. If you qualify, you receive an HC2 certificate, which entitles you to free NHS prescriptions - as well as help with dental treatment, eye tests, and NHS travel costs.

Eligibility is assessed individually based on your income, savings, and household circumstances. Even if you're working, you may qualify.

If you don't qualify for free prescriptions but regularly need more than a couple of items, a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) is likely to save you money - think of it as a prescription season ticket. The PPC cost is fixed, so you pay once and collect as many items as you need for the period.

A 3-month PPC covers all your prescription items for the period - it pays for itself from your fourth item. A 12-month PPC saves you money if you collect 12 or more items across the year. If you collect repeat prescriptions for a long-term condition and aren't exempt, it's worth checking whether one would save you money.

The 12-month PPC can be paid by Direct Debit in 10 monthly instalments of £11.45.

For a full breakdown of PPC costs, how to buy one, and how to work out whether it will save you money, see our guide to the NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC).

If you paid for a prescription but were entitled to it free, you can claim a refund. Ask the pharmacy for an FP57 refund form at the time of payment - it's much easier to get one then than to track one down later. You must claim within three months of the date you paid.

If you paid while waiting for your PPC to arrive, you can claim a refund for that payment once your certificate is confirmed.

The NHSBSA carries out routine checks on free prescription claims. If you claim incorrectly — even by mistake — you can be charged retrospectively. The penalty is £100 or five times the prescription cost, whichever is smaller, plus the original charge. If you don't pay within 28 days, a surcharge of 50% of the penalty may be added.

This applies even if you have a qualifying condition but your certificate wasn't valid on the date you collected the prescription. If you're in any doubt, pay the charge, ask for an FP57 form, and claim a refund once you've confirmed your status.

Use the NHSBSA's free online eligibility checker to find out whether you're entitled to free prescriptions or other help with NHS costs. It covers prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests, and NHS travel costs.

This article summarises publicly available information from:

Sources referenced include: