CyprusLiving

The UK Government have changed the law to allow UK State pensioners residing in the EU and have a UK EHIC card [superceded by form S1] and which is registered in their country of residence. They will be treated as if they were resident in UK and receive FREE ALL NHS treatments.

With this law change the UK Government has extended the right to return for ALL NHS treatment for this group of citizens.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new- ... o-nhs-care

I might be missing something, but I cannot for the life of me see what has changed.
??
Geoff.

That's really good news. Thanks for posting.

That will save having to wait 3-6 months on returning.

I knew this was in the pipeline, but wasn't aware it had happened.

The link just refers to people visiting the UK, not to former UK residents returning to the UK permanently.

If you are a UK state pensioner living in Cyprus, with a EHIC card, weren't you always entitled to free NHS treatment, should you need it, on your visits to the UK?

keving


Returning to the UK to settle
Citizens who return to the UK on a settled basis will be classed as ordinarily resident, and will be eligible for free NHS care immediately.

So, as I thought, no change if you are a UK State Pensioner residing in Cyprus, and only visit the UK.
The change only being, then, if you decide to return to the UK to settle (perish the thought!).
Geoff.

So for non pensioners who go back to the uk for a visit and need treatment while they are there , does this mean they have to pay ? Is this new ?


From April, the way the NHS charges these visitors is being changed so that it does not lose out on income from migrants, visitors and former residents of the UK who have left, who should all pay for their care while in the country.

So non-pensioners residing in Cyprus lose out. Typical of the current coalition Govt!
Geoff.

geoffreys2 wrote:So non-pensioners residing in Cyprus lose out. Typical of the current coalition Govt!
Geoff.

Always was the case Geoff. Expats below state pension age living in Cyprus can't get an EHIC card.

No change, like I said. Yet the Govt bills this as though they are giving something away extra!
They are cutting out medical tourists - who have before got away scott-free when they should have paid.
None of which helps anyone residing here.
A non-story.
Geoff.

The change is that if you return to the UK to live you are ENTITLED to full health care from the moment you arrive.
Previously there was a 6 months qualifying period in the rules... even if it was not always adhered to by the medical facilities on the ground.

Trev..

Seems a bit of inconsistency if you are an expat under state pension age living in Cyprus who can't get an EHIC card.

If you return to UK for a visit, you can't get treatment, no matter how long you are prepared to wait. If you return to the UK and say "I'm back permanently" you can get treatment.

But am I right in thinking if you're a UK expat living in Cyprus on a permanent basis (not retired) you are entitled to the medical card issued here in Cyprus at the one stop shops which provides treatment NHS style in other EU countries if you are there on a visit/holidays?

If like me, you are not retired but working and paying SI then you're entitled to medical treatment here.

We will be returning to the UK in the not too distant future so the new change will be beneficial to me and my hubby.

But, for those also like me who are now even further away from receiving their government (old age) pension due to the recent changes in the law - the thoughts of moving overseas pre-retirement may have to be given more consideration. Taking an early retirement at say 55yrs but not being able to get the UK government pension for (at the moment) a minimum of 12 years forward could be a bit daunting. And unless they're prepared to work, they will have to have private medical insurance or pay privately for treatment in their chosen place of residence.

I think the UK are trying to stitch us all up one way or another....

"I think the UK are trying to stitch us up one was or another..." (Julieswell).
And succeeding it seems!
Add in the WFA fiasco, what next? Our Pensions?
I would like to know what the Labour Party would do about the NHS issue IF they were elected.
Geoff.

Maybe not your pension Geoff - but certainly, they've nicked mine!

Take a read of this:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=57257#p421147

I checked this earlier and over 47,000 have signed the Reverse the State Pension Law petition which will be handed in on 24th March.

juliesewell wrote:Maybe not your pension Geoff - but certainly, they've nicked mine!

Take a read of this:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=57257#p421147

I checked this earlier and over 47,000 have signed the Reverse the State Pension Law petition which will be handed in on 24th March.

I read about that in the other thread, and responded to it on 23rd Feb.
As I said there, it does not affect me, but I wish the campaign all success.
Geoff.