New Zealand's public health system is not free for most visitors. Two separate things decide what you pay: whether you are hurt in an accident, and whether you are eligible for publicly funded healthcare.
Accidents: ACC
New Zealand has a no-fault accident scheme run by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). It can cover treatment for accidental injuries regardless of residential status — visitors included. Your doctor or hospital decides whether to make a claim and you complete a claim form during treatment; ACC must accept the claim before it pays.
ACC is for injuries from accidents. It is not health insurance: illness is not an accident, and ACC does not cover everything even for injuries. Government guidance is that you may still need to pay some costs yourself.
Illness: you usually pay
Visitors who are not eligible for publicly funded healthcare can still use public services, but normally have to pay for them. GP clinics are private businesses that set their own fees and normally charge a higher "casual" rate to patients who are not enrolled. Practices can only enrol people who are eligible for publicly funded care. Ask the clinic for the price before your appointment.
Reciprocal agreements: UK and Australia only
- United Kingdom: UK citizens ordinarily resident in the UK can get timely treatment for a condition that started or got worse after arrival, on the same basis as a New Zealander. UK permanent residents who are not citizens are not covered
- Australia: Australians on a temporary visit can get immediately necessary treatment, including hospital care and subsidised medicines — but not subsidised GP visits and not free emergency ambulance transport
- There is no agreement with any other country, including Germany and South Korea
Health New Zealand notes that neither agreement covers everything, and that changes to who can get publicly funded health services take effect from 1 December 2026.
Travel insurance
The New Zealand Government strongly recommends that visitors hold comprehensive travel insurance that includes full health cover, especially if you are not eligible for publicly funded care.
Getting help
- Emergency: 111
- Healthline: 0800 611 116 — free advice 24/7, interpreters available. It can also point you to an after-hours GP or pharmacy
- Ambulance call-outs are free in the Wellington region; elsewhere, St John charges for some call-outs
- Larger towns have after-hours pharmacies
Source: Health New Zealand — Publicly funded healthcare
Source: Health New Zealand — Reciprocal health agreements
Source: govt.nz — Get publicly funded health services
Source: Health New Zealand — Healthline
Common questions
Does ACC cover tourists?
ACC can cover treatment for accidental injuries regardless of residential status, once ACC accepts the claim. It does not cover illness, and you may still have to pay some costs.
Is healthcare free for German or Korean visitors?
No. New Zealand's reciprocal health agreements are with the UK and Australia only. Other visitors normally pay, which is why the government recommends travel insurance with full health cover.
More on the NZeTA
Medical treatment
If the purpose of the trip is medical treatment, Immigration New Zealand requires a Medical Treatment Visitor Visa. The NZeTA does not cover it.
Bringing medicines
You may bring up to 3 months' supply of prescription medicine, or 1 month of a controlled drug. Both need paperwork and must be declared.
Emergency numbers and safety
Call 111 for police, fire or ambulance, 105 for police non-emergencies. What to do in an earthquake or tsunami, and before a hike.
Children and infants
Yes. Every traveller needs an NZeTA in their own name, including infants who are travelling on a parent's lap and do not have their own seat.
Driving in New Zealand
Drive on the left and carry your licence, plus an approved translation or IDP if it is not in English. Drink-drive limits and the November 2026 change.
Smoking, vaping and alcohol
18 to buy alcohol, tobacco or vapes, and a passport is the ID visitors can use. No smoking or vaping indoors in bars, and local liquor bans.