Who can get free prescriptions?

For people in England who pay for prescriptions or want to check if they can get them free.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

In England, prescriptions cost £9.90 per item, but many people get them free.

They are free if you are under 16, 16 to 18 and in full-time education, or 60 or over.
Pregnancy or a baby in the last 12 months, and some medical conditions, give free prescriptions with an exemption certificate.
Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, qualifying Universal Credit or an HC2 certificate also count.
If you pay for lots of items, a 12-month prepayment certificate costs £114.50.

Different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Prescriptions are free in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
In Wales they are free if you are registered with a GP in Wales.

Key facts

England: £9.90 per item
Free under 16 and from 60
12-month PPC: £114.50
Free in Scotland, Wales and NI

Who gets free prescriptions in England

You do not pay if you:

are under 16, or 16 to 18 and in full-time education
are 60 or over
have a valid maternity exemption certificate (you are pregnant or had a baby in the last 12 months)
have a valid medical exemption certificate
get Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, or your partner does
get Universal Credit, or your partner does, and your take-home pay is under the limit
are named on an HC2 certificate from the NHS Low Income Scheme
have a war pension exemption certificate (for your accepted disability)
have a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC)

Some items are always free, such as contraception and medicines given to hospital inpatients.

Conditions that give a medical exemption certificate

Ask your GP about a certificate if you have:

cancer and are having treatment for it
diabetes (unless controlled by diet alone), or diabetes insipidus
epilepsy needing continuous treatment
an underactive thyroid (myxoedema), Addison's disease or hypoparathyroidism
myasthenia gravis
a permanent fistula needing continuous dressing
a continuing physical disability that means you cannot go out without help from another person

Universal Credit earnings limits

Your award	Take-home pay in last assessment period
No child element and no limited capability for work	£435 or less
Includes a child element or limited capability for work	£935 or less

For couples, it is your combined pay.

Prepayment certificates (2026/27)

Certificate	Cost
3 months	£32.05
12 months	£114.50 (can be paid in 10 monthly Direct Debits)
HRT PPC, 12 months	£19.80 (certain HRT medicines only)

Worked examples

Example 1. Dev needs 2 items a month. Over 12 months that is 24 items at £9.90, so £237.60. A 12-month PPC costs £114.50, saving him £123.10.

Example 2. Lisa needs 4 items a month: 48 items cost £475.20 a year. With a PPC she saves £360.70.

Check before you tick the box

If you claim free prescriptions when you should not, you may have to pay a penalty of five times the charge, up to £100, plus the charge. For two items (£19.80) the penalty is £99.

If you pay but think you should not have, ask the pharmacy for an FP57 refund form when you pay. You cannot get one later. Claim within 3 months.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Scotland: prescriptions are free.
Wales: free if you are registered with a GP in Wales. If you live in Wales with an English GP, you can get an entitlement card so your prescription is free at a Welsh pharmacy.
Northern Ireland: all prescriptions dispensed in Northern Ireland are free for everyone.

Related guides

Where these figures come from

NHS: NHS prescription charges
NHSBSA: Free NHS prescriptions
NHSBSA: Prescription Prepayment Certificate
NHSBSA: Help with health costs (HC11), April 2026
Scottish Government: Help with health costs quick guide
Welsh Government: Free prescriptions
nidirect: Help with health costs

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Check if you get free prescriptions

Common questions

How much is a prescription in England?

£9.90 per item. If a prescription has 3 medicines on it, you pay 3 times.

Is a prepayment certificate worth it?

It saves money if you need more than 3 items in 3 months, or more than 11 items in 12 months.

Can I get free prescriptions on Universal Credit?

Yes, if your take-home pay is under the limit for your last assessment period.

Official sources

1.NHS prescription chargeswww.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions/nhs-prescription-charges/
2.NHSBSA: Free NHS prescriptionswww.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/free-nhs-prescriptions
3.NHSBSA: NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificatewww.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/nhs-prescription-prepayment-certificate-ppc
4.Scottish Government: Help with health costs quick guidewww.gov.scot/publications/quick-guide-help-health-costs-6/
5.nidirect: Help with health costswww.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/help-health-costs
6.Welsh Government: Free prescriptionswww.gov.wales/free-prescriptions

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

Information from the NHS website is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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