El Salvador
In
The United Kingdom and Ireland

The NHS, or the National Health System, was set up in 1948 and is now the largest organisation in Europe. At its heart is the idea of free and affordable healthcare for all.

It's where you go if you need to see a GP. It's responsible for running all sorts of clinics including sexual health clinics and even administers the hospitals, ambulances and specialists too. Dentists and ophthalmologists are also part of the NHS.

But I'm not a British citizen, can I use it too?

According to the Department of Health website, anyone working in Britain can register and use the services of the NHS.

How do I get access?

First you need to register with a GP. Call NHS Direct on 0845-4647 for a list of GPs. Doctors' consultations are free. Alternatively, use an NHS walk-in centre. Medicine must be paid for, though (at an approximate cost of £6.80 per item). Dentists can also be NHS-registered, but you will need to pay a percentage of the cost of your treatment as only the basics are covered by the NHS.

If you become ill and aren't registered, don't panic! It's not going to prevent someone treating you. Just go to the nearest surgery and they will register you as a temporary patient. Another option is to use an NHS Walk-In Centre. You don't need an appointment but you can be forced to wait a very very long time to see someone. The centres provide treatment for minor injuries and illnesses seven days a week. To find your nearest centre, see NHS UK. If you need a doctor to make a house call, most surgeries have an answering service that will give you the number of the relevant doctor.

There are several types of pensions, so check what your employer offers and see if you can transfer to a fund at home when you leave. NI contributions fund the state pension scheme. You can opt out of this State Second Pension (S2P) and get your contributions put in a private fund, but you must do this before the end of the tax year or lose the contributions.

A great place to check out is The Pension Service which has all the latest news and information you could want about pensions.

Getting NI contributions back is not possible. However, after contributing for 11 years, you are entitled to a UK pension. Pensions are taxed. You can claim a rebate when you leave the country. Ask at your tax office for info. It's a good idea to speak to an Independent Financial Adviser.