Free testing has now ended for people in England.
If you still want to get tested and you’re not eligible for a free NHS test, you must pay for a COVID-19 test yourself.
You can buy a COVID-19 test from some pharmacies and retailers, in person or online.
Who can get a free Covid-19 test?
- A small number of people will still be able to get free COVID-19 tests from the NHS.
- If you have a health condition which means you’re eligible for new COVID-19 treatments
- You can order free NHS tests yourself if you have not received any tests yet or have used the tests you’ve been sent.
- If you’re going into hospital for surgery or a procedure
- You may need to get tested if you’re due to have surgery or a procedure.
Your hospital will tell you how to get a test. Contact your hospital department if you have any questions.
- If you work in the NHS or in social care
You are eligible for free tests if you’re:
- NHS patient-facing staff
- staff who deliver NHS services through an independent healthcare provider, and have direct contact with NHS patients
- a social worker
- a personal assistant
- a Shared Lives carer
- a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspector
If you work in care homes, domiciliary care, extra care and supported living services, and adult day care centres, you can also get free NHS tests. Find out more about free NHS tests if you work in adult social care on GOV.UK
Order a free NHS COVID-19 test if you’re eligible
You can get free NHS test kits sent to your home.
Order NHS home test kits on GOV.UK
If you need help with your order
If you cannot use the online service to order and you’re eligible for free NHS tests, you can call 119 (free from mobiles and landlines).
119 provides support in 200 languages.
SignVideo is a free online British Sign Language interpreter service for 119.
What you can do if you’re not eligible for a free COVID-19 test
You’re no longer advised to get tested. Find out:
- what to do if you have COVID-19 symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19
- what to do if you’ve been in close contact with someone with COVID-19
- how to avoid catching and spreading COVID-19
Other ways to get a COVID-19 test
If you still want to get tested and you’re not eligible for a free NHS test, you must pay for a COVID-19 test yourself.
You can buy rapid lateral flow tests from some pharmacies and retailers, in person or online.
Do not call 119, as you will not be able to get a test this way. You cannot order tests from NHS 111 or 999.
