Sexual health — free and confidential
Tests, treatment, condoms, contraception, PrEP — free for everyone, whatever your immigration status. No documents needed, no GP registration needed. Sexual health clinics work confidentially.
PEP (HIV prevention) — start within 72 hours; clinic closed → go to A&E. Emergency contraception — best straight away, some types work up to 5 days. All free.
How to get tested
- Walk-in clinic (no appointment)Go to any sexual health clinic. No appointment, no documents, free interpreter. Find one: nhs.uk/service-search/sexual-health.
Everything is free and for everyone, whatever your status. Testing can be done confidentially; treatment needs a name and contact details — this is not an immigration check.
HIV, PrEP, PEP — in brief
- Rapid HIV testResult in 15 minutes, free, no appointment needed.
- PrEP — a pill that protects against HIVFree at the clinic: say "I'd like PrEP". Injectable PrEP is still limited — ask at the clinic.
- PEP — emergency protection after exposureStart within 72 hours: clinic or A&E. Free.
- HIV treatment — free for everyoneNo documents or status needed. With treatment, HIV cannot be passed on (U=U).
Contraception and pregnancy
- Contraception — freePills, coil (IUD), implant, condoms — free through a GP or clinic. No documents needed.
- Pregnancy and birthCare cannot be delayed because of money. For asylum seekers and refugees — free. Without status/exemption you may get a bill afterwards, but you will still be treated — don't be afraid to go. Details and help with a bill: who pays for the NHS · Maternity Action 0808 802 0029.
Confidentiality
✓ Your employer will not know.
✓ No GP registration needed; no documents needed.
The narrow exceptions are the same across all of medicine: threat to life, serious crime, a court order. More detail — will the Home Office find out.
Assault, rape and FGM
If you're in danger or have been hurt
There are special SARC centres — help after an assault, treatment is free for everyone, you can ask for an interpreter. FGM (female genital mutilation) is a crime in the UK; the NHS has special clinics for people affected.
Where to get help
- Sexual Health Line0300 123 7123 — advice by phone.
- Terrence Higgins Trusttht.org.uk — HIV and sexual health.
- Brookbrook.org.uk — for young people under 25.
- NAZ Projectnaz.org.uk — for migrants and BAME communities.
Where to go next
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is it really free?
Yes. STI tests, treatment, condoms, contraception, PrEP — free at sexual health clinics, for everyone whatever their immigration status. You don't need insurance and you don't need documents.
Will the Home Office find out I went to the clinic?
No. This is confidential — health information is not shared with the Home Office for immigration control. Your employer will not know either. The narrow exceptions are the same across all of medicine (threat to life, serious crime, a court order). More detail — on the "Will the Home Office find out" page.
Do I need to register with a GP?
No. Sexual health clinics work separately from GPs. Walk in without an appointment, without a referral, without registration.
Can I come anonymously?
Testing can often be done confidentially, and sometimes anonymously. But treatment usually needs a name and contact details — so they can give you the result and manage treatment safely. This is not an immigration check. Everything is confidential by default.
I had unprotected sex — what should I do?
Go to a sexual health clinic as soon as possible. PEP (HIV prevention) needs to start within 72 hours — if the clinic is closed, go to A&E. Emergency contraception works best straight away, but some types work up to 5 days. All free.
Do you have to pay for giving birth?
Birth care cannot be delayed because of money. If you are an asylum seeker or a refugee — it's free. Without status and without exemption you may get a bill afterwards, but you will still be treated. More detail — "Who pays for the NHS". For advice — Maternity Action 0808 802 0029.
What should I do if I was raped?
If you are in danger right now — call 999. For help afterwards — Rape Crisis 0808 500 2222 (24/7). There are special SARC centres. Treatment is free for everyone, you can ask for an interpreter.