last edited Mar 11, 2026
Health and Safety in Great Britain
Location Map of Great Britain
Great Britain
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Official Recommendations
In France, both for individuals and professionals, the "travel advice" from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding precautions for each country has legal value. A similar online travel advice system exists in several countries:
Health
Illnesses and Hygiene
Nothing particular to note compared to France and other European countries.
Local Healthcare Facilities
Traditionally, the UK has a good healthcare system (the NHS), but it is increasingly marked in the public sector by a lack of resources, staff, and aging infrastructure, as well as long wait times for certain types of procedures. This has led authorities to increasingly rely on digital solutions and AI to support the sector, assist with diagnostics, or manage patient flows, as well as to develop local and rural health centers to ease the burden on public hospitals. In short, a somewhat strained and evolving situation, which means the private sector—with its associated costs—is also very present in the country.
Although the UK has left the EU with Brexit, agreements still exist between the UK and other countries regarding coverage of care by the public NHS. Therefore, for French visitors, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is still accepted in the UK. For students or residents in the country, it is the mandatory health surcharge (IHS) they subscribed to upon arrival that covers their care. As for the private sector, it is not covered by either the EHIC or the IHS. This means only travel insurance or an international mutual insurance plan can cover the costs.
Safety
Crime and Delinquency
Crime is not excessive in Great Britain compared to similar countries. That said, it’s always wise to stay vigilant, particularly by avoiding certain neighborhoods or streets at night in large cities.
Climate and Nature
Like France and most other European countries, the UK is primarily exposed to meteorological and climatic risks that can lead to flooding or violent storms and winds, with the associated inconveniences and consequences.
French Consulates in the UK
If you encounter problems during your trip abroad, your country’s consular services can assist you. It’s also worth noting that if you are an EU citizen and your country is not represented, you can contact any other EU member state’s representation.
- Consulate General: 21 Cromwell Road, PO Box 520, London. Tel.: +44 20 7660 4400. There is also another consulate general in Edinburgh and around twenty honorary consulates throughout the country.