EHIC

[RichardPerou]

Those of you who left the UK to live in the EU more than five years ago may remember that EHIC which had been issued by the country where you live was then issued by the UK.

Idily looking in my wallet recently I found that my EHIC would run out in March.

The weather being poor I decided to renew it.

I started with the internet but found curiously that non residents had to ring a UK telephone number.


Being pigheaded I decided that what was good enough for a UK resident was good enough for me and I requested that I could renew my EHIC using the intenet.

There followed a long exchange of email and phone call which finally, I hope, ended yesterday with a telephone call from an unidentified functionary that under no circumstances would I be allowed to have a renewal of my EHIC unless I completes a form and posted it to the UK. At the same time I received an email telling me that my renewed EHIC had been sent to me.

The reason forr this posting is to those who are about to renew their EHIC to stick to their guns and demand the right to use FREE email rather than post and telephone

 

[Sandyman]

Renewed ours on Internet last year. No mention of post or telephone.

 

[RichardPerou]

Maybe you are 'resident' in the UK.

My post is aimed at those of us that have pulled the plug on the UK and are 'resident' in another part of the EU.

 

[Tintin]

Maybe you are 'resident' in the UK.

My post is aimed at those of us that have pulled the plug on the UK and are 'resident' in another part of the EU.

Why then do you think that UK residents and tax payers should furnish you with a free administration service?

Just asking....

 

[RichardPerou]

Because we live in the EU. The French were happy to issue free EHIC but the member of the EU wanted it changed. I am still a British citizen and if you give it tiresidents then you should give it to me. Remember that I still vote in the UK, although the time is coming when I shall loose my vote without any democratic righta at all.

 

[Chris_Robb]

Because we live in the EU. The French were happy to issue free EHIC but the member of the EU wanted it changed. I am still a British citizen and if you give it tiresidents then you should give it to me. Remember that I still vote in the UK, although the time is coming when I shall loose my vote without any democratic righta at all.

Are you a british Tax payer?

 

[RichardPerou]

No

 

[Chris_Robb]

No

You are not eligible therefore

Any individual who is a UK national citizen and normally resident in the UK is eligible for an EHIC. There are some restrictions depending on your nationality. Not all UK residents will be covered in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway or Denmark. For further information, please visit http://www.ehic.org.uk/ or visit the http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/index.htmwebsite.

UK citizens employed by a UK company or self-employed in the UK, are entitled to a UK-issued EHIC to work in a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland. This will include any dependents for up to 12 months. Please contact http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/index.htm if you require more information.

The EHIC will not cover you if you are moving abroad permanently or to work for a foreign employer.

 

[RichardPerou]

I have viewed both of the sites that you refer to and neither refer to the issue of EHIC to expatriates.

I may have misled you as I am referring to the situation as it affects UK pensioners. If you doubt me I am prepared to retrieve the EU legislation for you.

I can assure you that I hold an EHIC, issued by the UK five years ago and refer you to my OP. They have renewed it.

 

[25931]

Because we live in the EU. The French were happy to issue free EHIC but the member of the EU wanted it changed. I am still a British citizen and if you give it tiresidents then you should give it to me. Remember that I still vote in the UK, although the time is coming when I shall loose my vote without any democratic righta at all.

If you are or become resident in another country you will have some voting rights in that country.

 

[Chris_Robb]

I have viewed both of the sites that you refer to and neither refer to the issue of EHIC to expatriates.

I may have misled you as I am referring to the situation as it affects UK pensioners. If you doubt me I am prepared to retrieve the EU legislation for you.

I can assure you that I hold an EHIC, issued by the UK five years ago and refer you to my OP. They have renewed it.

Richard, the law is quite clear - you must be "ordinarily Resident". Did you give a UK address in the application?
The idea of the EU law is that the country where you are Ordinarily Resident, -ie where you pay your tax - should issue the card - as it is that country that pays the host country when a claim is made. I take it that you pay tax in an EU country?

 

[rivonia]

Richard, the law is quite clear - you must be "ordinarily Resident". Did you give a UK address in the application?
The idea of the EU law is that the country where you are Ordinarily Resident, -ie where you pay your tax - should issue the card - as it is that country that pays the host country when a claim is made. I take it that you pay tax in an EU country?

I am an ex pat pensioner. If what you say above is true. Then perhaps you will be kind enough to PROVE it by showing a picture of it on here?

 

[Tranona]

I am an ex pat pensioner. If what you say above is true. Then perhaps you will be kind enough to PROVE it by showing a picture of it on here?

Pensioners are different - or rather have different entitlements to health care. If you live in an EEA country and receive a UK government pension you are entitled to an EHIC from UK. Google EHIC and find the NHS site which explains all.

 

[Chris_Robb]

Pensioners are different - or rather have different entitlements to health care. If you live in an EEA country and receive a UK government pension you are entitled to an EHIC from UK. Google EHIC and find the NHS site which explains all.

This is what is said
Pensioners and early retirees living abroad

The NHS is a residence-based healthcare system. Therefore, once you have moved permanently away from the UK, you are no longer entitled to medical treatment under normal NHS rules.
However, if you are living in another EEA country and you receive a UK State Pension, or any other benefit that can be paid to you when you move abroad (https://www.gov.uk/claim-benefits-abroad/overview), you may be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK. You will need to apply for an S1 form (certificate of entitlement) from the http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/international-pension-centre, which can be reached on 0191 218 7777. Once issued, register the S1 form with the relevant foreign authorities before you register with your local GP surgery.
Once you have registered your S1 abroad, you will be entitled to apply for and use a UK-issued EHIC to access necessary state-funded medical treatment when you visit other EEA countries outside the country in which you are currently residing, including when you return to the UK.

You cannot apply online for your UK-issued EHIC if you live abroad. You must apply by post using form EHICE, which should be sent to you automatically with your S1. If you haven’t received an EHICE application, please contact the relevant organisation.
If you have not received the EHICE application form, contact the Overseas Healthcare Team on 00 44 191 218 1999.

That is interesting as it also highlights the restrictions on entitlement to use the NHS when domiciled abroad. So an S1 is needed to get an UK EHIC and it is made plain that you have to apply by post, presumably because there are extra check made on your status.

Also from the NHS Web site re S1 form
What has changed?

You can now no longer apply for a residual S1 (formerly residual E106) which previously provided temporary healthcare to early retirees moving to other EEA country.
What does this mean for me?

Before moving to live abroad, it is important that you http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/countryguide/Pages/EEAcountries.aspx in that country and what your entitlement will be if you intend not to work, as this varies from country to country. This means that you will have to access that country’s health system under their rules.
If you are moving abroad on a permanent basis, you will no longer be entitled to medical treatment in the UK under normal NHS rules. This is because the NHS is a residence-based healthcare system. Most people will also not be entitled to use a UK-issued EHIC card to access healthcare abroad.
What if I already have a residual S1?

If you already have a residual S1 this will not affect you – it will continue to be valid until its original expiry date.
What about state pensioners?

If you are a UK state pensioner this will not affect you – S1 forms will still be issued to state pensioners.

State Pensioners can still get the S1 form - so it follows that with the S1 the EHIC is correctly available to you, BUT BY POST ONLY!!!!! (which was the point of the post!)

 

[RichardPerou]

QUOTE=25931;5094375]If you are or become resident in another country you will have some voting rights in that country.[/QUOTE]

Only for commune and European elections. In five years time I shall have no voting rights for national elections anywhere.

 

[akyaka]

If you are or become resident in another country you will have some voting rights in that country.

er no !

 

[Tony Cross]

er no !

For an EU national living in another EU country it's er, yes! From http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/residence/elections-abroad/index_en.htm

If you are an EU national living in another EU country, you have the right to vote and to stand as a candidate in municipal and European Parliament elections held in that country. The conditions are the same for you as for nationals.

 

[akyaka]

For an EU national living in another EU country it's er, yes! From http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/residence/elections-abroad/index_en.htm

the original statement was all embracing and emphatic

 

[Chris_Robb]

For an EU national living in another EU country it's er, yes! From http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/residence/elections-abroad/index_en.htm

Tony - there lies the problem - Municipal and European elections - but NOT national elections. If you pay your taxes then surely you should have the right to vote in National elections - "No Taxation without representation"

 

[Tony Cross]

Tony - there lies the problem - Municipal and European elections - but NOT national elections. If you pay your taxes then surely you should have the right to vote in National elections - "No Taxation without representation"

Don''t shoot me, I'm just the piano player. The whole EU system is f****d up as far as I'm concerned. Joined up thinking it ain't!