Migration is a growing phenomenon throughout the world, including in the UK and elsewhere in the EU. This massive movement of peoples has implications for the health of individuals and groups, and therefore for healthcare professionals. Migrants are not a homogeneous group, and their health is affected more by the conditions under which they travel and the social conditions in which they live in the receiving country. The wider determinants of their health are often different from those of the settled community and require a different approach from healthcare professionals. An understanding of the background of migrants is essential in order to seek out and attempt to effectively address health needs.