Free Eye Tests, Prescriptions and Flu Jabs: Who Qualifies

In England, you are entitled to a free NHS sight test if you:

• ✓Yes: are under 16
• ✓Yes: are 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education, including being taught full-time at home
• ✓Yes: are 60 or over
• ✓Yes: are registered as partially sighted or blind
• ✓Yes: have been diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma
• ✓Yes: are 40 or over and your mother, father, sibling or child has been diagnosed with glaucoma
• ✓Yes: have been advised by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) that you are at risk of glaucoma
• ✓Yes: are entitled to or named on a valid HC2 certificate for full help with health costs

You are also entitled if you or your partner get Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, or Universal Credit and meet the criteria. If you cannot leave home unaccompanied because of illness or disability, you may be able to have a mobile sight test at home.

You are entitled to free NHS prescriptions if you are:

• ✓Yes: under 16
• ✓Yes: aged 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education
• ✓Yes: aged 60 or over

You can also get them in these situations:

• ✓Yes: You get Universal Credit and your take-home pay in your last assessment period is under the limit.
• ✓Yes: You or your partner get Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, with or without Savings Credit.
• ✓Yes: You are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate.
• ✓Yes: You have a valid medical exemption certificate.
• ✓Yes: You have an HC2 certificate for full help with health costs from the NHS Low Income Scheme.
• ✓Yes: You have a valid war pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability.

Some items are always free, including contraceptives and medication given to hospital inpatients. Pension Credit Savings Credit on its own, New Style Jobseeker's Allowance and New Style Employment and Support Allowance do not automatically entitle you to free prescriptions, but you could get help through the NHS Low Income Scheme.

The prescription charge is £9.90 per item. It is charged for each item, not each prescription, so a prescription with 3 medicines on it costs 3 charges. If you are not sure whether you are entitled to free prescriptions, pay and ask the pharmacy for an NHS receipt and refund form (FP57).

In England, you can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:

• ✓Yes: are aged 65 or over, including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2027
• ✓Yes: are aged 18 to 64 and have certain long-term health conditions
• ✓Yes: are pregnant
• ✓Yes: live in a care home
• ✓Yes: are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
• ✓Yes: live with someone who has a weakened immune system
• ✓Yes: are aged 16 or over and rough sleeping or staying in a homeless hostel or night shelter

You can book online or in the NHS App, find a pharmacy that offers free flu vaccination, or contact your GP surgery. The last date to get your flu vaccine is 31 March 2027.

In Wales, if you live in Wales but are registered with a GP in England, you are issued with an entitlement card so that an English prescription can be dispensed free at a pharmacy in Wales. Our guide to NHS dental charges covers dental treatment, and our rights guides cover other health rights.