Hong Kong A&E Guide: Triage, Fees, and When to Go

The 5-Level Triage System (分流制度)

A triage nurse assesses everyone on arrival:

1. Category I — Critical (危殆): life-threatening, immediate resuscitation
2. Category II — Emergency (危急): could become critical, very urgent
3. Category III — Urgent (緊急): serious but stable
4. Category IV — Semi-urgent (次緊急): less urgent
5. Category V — Non-urgent (非緊急): minor conditions

Categories I and II are always treated first, whatever time you arrived.

A&E Fees (from 1 Jan 2026)

• Eligible persons (HKID holders): HK$400 per attendance for Categories III–V. Categories I and II are free.
• Non-eligible persons (visitors): HK$2,100 per attendance.
• The HK$400 covers the consultation plus clinically-indicated tests and drugs during that visit.
• Changed your mind? If you register, get triaged, then leave before seeing a doctor, you can apply for a HK$350 refund within 24 hours of registration.

When Should You Go to A&E?

Call 999 for: chest pain, stroke signs (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty), severe bleeding, breathing difficulty, major trauma, or unconsciousness.

For minor issues (mild fever, small cuts, sprains), consider a private GP, a private hospital 24-hour outpatient clinic, or a public GOPC instead — you'll be seen faster and, since 2026, pay less than the HK$400 A&E fee.

What to Bring

HKID (for eligible-person rates), a list of medications and allergies, and — if referred — any referral letter. If you're admitted from A&E, acute inpatient beds cost HK$300 per day for eligible persons (the old HK$75 admission fee was abolished in 2026).

Private Hospital Emergency Care

Several private hospitals run 24-hour outpatient/emergency services. No triage queues, but expect to pay thousands of HK dollars per visit — check whether your insurance covers it first.

What Happens After Triage

After the triage nurse assigns your category, you'll wait in the designated area until called. A doctor assesses you, orders any needed tests (blood work, X-ray), and decides: discharge with medication and a follow-up note, admission to a ward, or transfer to a specialist clinic. The whole process for Category IV–V patients can take several hours at busy times — bring your phone charger and patience.

Which A&E Should You Go To?

Hong Kong has 18 public A&E departments across the territory. In a real emergency, call 999 — the ambulance goes to the nearest appropriate hospital, and you don't choose. For self-transport of a stable patient, the Hospital Authority website lists each A&E's real-time waiting time, so you can pick a quieter one nearby.

After the A&E Visit

You'll get a discharge summary — keep it. If the doctor booked you a specialist follow-up, that appointment letter arrives separately; chase it if it doesn't come within the stated time. For medication, the A&E pharmacy dispenses on the spot. And remember: if you were triaged Category I or II, there's no fee at all.

Costs for Visitors and the Uninsured

If you're visiting Hong Kong without a HKID, public A&E costs HK$2,100 per visit — still far cheaper than most countries' emergency care, but travel insurance is wise. Some nationalities' travel policies exclude "pre-existing conditions," so read the fine print. If you move to Hong Kong, make getting your HKID (and thus eligible-person rates) a first-week priority, right after housing.

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