Getting patients started with NHS login
This guide supports health and care staff as they help patients access health and social care services with NHS login. Watch our instructional video or read our step by step guidance.
Step by step guide to set up NHS login
1. Choose a website or app
Patients can create an NHS login from any health and care website or app that shows the NHS login button.
2. Set up an NHS login
When they click the button, the patient will be asked to:
- provide an email address (with more than 6 characters)
- choose a password
- accept the NHS login terms and conditions
They will then receive an email containing a security code. They must enter this security code to confirm their email address. They will then be asked to give their mobile phone or landline number. Another security code will be sent to this phone number. They must enter this security code to confirm their phone number.
This means they have an NHS login with the lowest level of identity verification.
3. Prove who they are
The patient must then verify their identity to a medium level or a high level. The level of verification will depend on the website or app the patient wants to use and the type of information they want to access.
Medium level verification
The patient will be asked to enter their NHS number, date of birth and the postcode of their home address as registered with their GP practice. If they do not know their NHS number, they can enter their name instead. This information is then checked to correspond to an NHS record on the Personal Demographics Service (PDS).
Medium level verification will allow patients to do things like contact their GP or receive notifications. It does not provide access to health records or personal information.
High level verification
The patient must prove who they are in order to gain access to health records or personal information. To do this, the patient has 4 options.
If the patient has not already been verified to medium level, they will also be asked to enter their date of birth, the postcode of their home address as registered with their GP practice, and NHS number. If they do not know their NHS number they can enter their name.
4. Log in and use the website or app
Once they have completed these steps, the patient will be able to use their NHS login to access their chosen websites and apps, wherever they see the NHS login button.
The patient can continue using their email address, password and the security code sent to their phone number for authentication. They can also choose to be 'remembered' on their device, the first time they log into a website or app after setting up their NHS login. This means they can log in using their username and password, without the need to enter a security code.
Some websites and apps will allow users to authenticate with biometric data, using fingerprint or facial recognition.
GP practice information
If you work at a GP practice, patients may need your help with NHS login. See GP practice NHS login guidance for step-by-step guidance on how to provide GP Online registration details to patients, in your clinical system.
Last edited: 8 July 2025 8:59 am