Nursing home cost: fees and NHS funding explained
The nursing home cost is typically higher than residential care, because a nursing home has a qualified nurse on site. Age UK's current guidance (checked September 2026) puts nursing home fees at around £1,450 a week for a self-funder, against around £1,100 a week for residential care. An NHS payment called funded nursing care may cover part of the cost.
This is general information, not financial or legal advice; we do not provide financial advice. It covers England unless stated otherwise. See our hub on paying for care for the full funding picture.
Nursing home cost vs residential care home cost
A nursing home always has a qualified nurse on site to provide nursing care. A residential care home helps with daily personal care, such as washing, dressing, medication and meals, without on-site nursing staff.
Nursing homes usually cost more than residential-only homes, and our care home costs guide sets out typical residential fees for comparison. The figures above are averages, not a quote, so ask homes for a current, itemised weekly rate.
Part of the fee may be met by funded nursing care and by a council contribution if a financial assessment finds you are entitled to one. Our paying for care options guide explains how that assessment works.
Funded nursing care rates (FNC)
Where someone in a nursing home is assessed as needing registered nursing care, the NHS pays a fixed weekly amount towards that nursing care. It does not cover the rest of the fee, which is still assessed or paid in the normal way.
In England, the standard FNC rate for 2026/27 is £267.68 a week, up 5.4% from £254.06 in 2025/26.
A small, closed group of people who were on the higher pre-October-2007 band, and have stayed on it, receive an enhanced rate: £368.24 a week in 2026/27 (£349.50 in 2025/26). New assessments always receive the standard rate.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, where a Health and Social Care Trust assesses someone in a nursing home as needing nursing care, the Trust pays a flat £100 a week towards the nursing element of the fees.
Scotland has free personal and nursing care. For people paying their own care home fees, the Scottish Government pays a fixed weekly amount towards personal and nursing care, and Care Information Scotland publishes the current rates.
Wales sets its own rate and review dates. In each nation, check current figures with the relevant council or health body rather than assuming England's rate applies.
NHS continuing healthcare compared with FNC
NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) is different from funded nursing care. Where someone's needs are assessed as a "primary health need", the NHS arranges and pays for the full cost of care, in a nursing home or elsewhere, and it is not means-tested. FNC, by contrast, is a fixed payment towards the nursing part of the fee only.
The CHC bar is high and decided by an assessment of needs, not by a diagnosis or by being in a nursing home. Our paying for care hub covers how CHC works.
Getting the right help
If someone in a nursing home, or about to move into one, may need registered nursing care, you can ask for an NHS assessment for funded nursing care, and for continuing healthcare where needs are complex. A council needs assessment covers the rest of the fee.
Some families also look at care at home; see home care costs and live-in care costs. Where dementia is involved, see our dementia care home fees guide. Equity release is sometimes used towards care costs, but interest rolls up so the debt grows, it leaves less for your estate and it can affect means-tested support; our equity release for care fees guide explains when it may apply.
For funding decisions, an FCA-regulated adviser or a specialist care fees adviser can explain the options.
Not sure where to start?
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing home cost compared with a residential care home?
Age UK's current guidance (checked September 2026) puts nursing home care at around £1,450 a week for a self-funder, compared with around £1,100 a week for residential care. A nursing home has a qualified nurse on site at all times, which a residential home does not. Actual fees vary by home, location and the level of nursing and personal care someone needs.
What is NHS-funded nursing care and who gets it?
NHS-funded nursing care (FNC) is a fixed weekly NHS payment towards the nursing part of a nursing home fee, for someone assessed as needing registered nursing care. In England the standard rate is £267.68 a week in 2026/27. It does not cover the rest of the fee, which is assessed or paid in the usual way.
Is NHS continuing healthcare the same as funded nursing care?
No. NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) covers the full cost of care, in a nursing home or elsewhere, where an assessment finds a primary health need. Funded nursing care (FNC) is a smaller fixed payment towards nursing costs alone, paid when someone does not meet the higher CHC bar but still needs registered nursing care in a home.
What is the enhanced rate of funded nursing care?
In England, a higher FNC rate applies only to a small group of people who were on the pre-October-2007 high band and have stayed on it. It is £368.24 a week in 2026/27, up from £349.50 in 2025/26. Anyone assessed for funded nursing care now receives the standard rate instead, which is £267.68 a week in 2026/27.
Does the NHS-funded nursing care rate differ across the UK?
Yes. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each set their own rate and rules for funding towards nursing care in a care home. Northern Ireland, for example, pays a flat £100 a week towards the nursing element of fees, and Scotland makes a separate free nursing care payment. Check the current rate with the relevant council or health body where the person lives.