? Emergency Health Cover In The EU Post 31/12/20 ?

nortada

nortada

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This subject is exercising a number of minds. Especially the older ones, when health insurance becomes increasingly exorbitant.

Currently most of us rely on an UK EHIC and there is a rumour that for UK OAPs, the UK EHIC will remain valid until it's expiatory date or even beyond. Were this to happen, for many, the problem is solved.

If the current UK EHIC doesn't survive, provide they have residency somewhere in the EU, under the S1 scheme it is possible to get the UK to issue an U.K. EHIC that will give emergency medical cover.

Because she explains it so well (and is she is so much better looking than me), I am inviting the lovely Marta Ceia from the British Embassy Lisbon to describe the scheme :- British Embassy Videos on Residency, Health Cover, Driving Licenses & The Latest Advice From The British Ambassador..

Yes, as could be anticipated, this is Portugal orientated but as the UK issues the EHIC - it should also apply in all other EU states, if not worldwide. Any feed back would be really useful.

It would appear that if you have EU residency somewhere, with your new EHIC (issued by the UK), you should get free emergency health everywhere in the EU so genuine cruisers would be covered.

Any thoughts ❓
 
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Are UK S1 still being issued?

My son moved to Belgium in September to take up a new job.
Belgian social security/health care asked for an S1 and he says he was unable to obtain one.
He will be covered in Belgium eventually, but he now faces a 6 month 'waiting period'.
 
Koeketiene said:
Are UK S1 still being issued?

My son moved to Belgium in September to take up a new job.
Belgian social security/health care asked for an S1 and he says he was unable to obtain one.
He will be covered in Belgium eventually, but he now faces a 6 month 'waiting period'.
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S1 is only available to OAPs in receipt of a UK pension so possibly your son doesn't qualify.
 
I was under the impression that many people would not qualify as they don't stay in one country permanently. I tend to spend 6/7 months on my boat (probably 180 days in future) plus time in other countries. I can get a residency permit for Greece but won't be living there full-time and don't think I can get an S1 because HMRC actually class me as residing in the UK. The residency permit just allows people to conform to local laws regarding a stay >90 days but you don't actually need to stay permanently.

Perhaps I haven't understood the S1 part correctly.
 
Mistroma said:
I was under the impression that many people would not qualify as they don't stay in one country permanently. I tend to spend 6/7 months on my boat (probably 180 days in future) plus time in other countries. I can get a residency permit for Greece but won't be living there full-time and don't think I can get an S1 because HMRC actually class me as residing in the UK. The residency permit just allows people to conform to local laws regarding a stay >90 days but you don't actually need to stay permanently.

Perhaps I haven't understood the S1 part correctly.
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There isn't enough information on gov. sites to cover all situations. Many of us are using dual residence and dual tax status rules. Portugal thinks I live there, UK thinks I live here. We actually spend around equal times in both countries. We have property in both, pay all taxes in UK and have local GP. Don't want to jeopardise situation in UK so have avoided S1 so far.
 
Graham376 said:
There isn't enough information on gov. sites to cover all situations. Many of us are using dual residence and dual tax status rules. Portugal thinks I live there, UK thinks I live here. We actually spend around equal times in both countries. We have property in both, pay all taxes in UK and have local GP. Don't want to jeopardise situation in UK so have avoided S1 so far.
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Yes, I didn't want to rock the boat in UK either. I maintain an address and pay tax here. Local GP knows I'm out of the UK a fair bit but I'm always very vague about times. I might give the impression that I'm only out of UK for 1-2 months at a time but it is actually always 6 months or so.

e.g. I might ask for extra medication because I'll be in Greece for a couple of months and might pop down to my brother-in-law in Norfolk if I return in a couple of months. He seems happy that I'm in and out of the UK, travelling around but technically living in Scotland.

S1 would make sense if I was actually staying in Greece rather than just having extended visits. I would also need to start taking my State pension instead of deferring it.
 
Graham376 said:
There isn't enough information on gov. sites to cover all situations. Many of us are using dual residence and dual tax status rules. Portugal thinks I live there, UK thinks I live here. We actually spend around equal times in both countries. We have property in both, pay all taxes in UK and have local GP. Don't want to jeopardise situation in UK so have avoided S1 so far.
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I can speak from experience. We applied for our S1 forms a few years ago and have had Greek healthcare (paid for by the NHS) for a couple of years now. When you phone the DWP to request an S1 form (and it is only available to those receiving a state pension) they will ask you the date you left the UK. The DWP and NHS thus know you're no longer living in the UK.

That had no affect on our tax situation in the UK at the time though, HMRC were more than content to continue to tax us. The only way to get out from under HMRC is to register as tax resident in another country (as you're typically legally required to do after having spent 183 days there) and pay tax there. You can then use your proof of paying tax in your country of residence to stop paying tax in the UK (assuming there's a double taxation agreement). I believe that HMRC take the view that you have to pay tax somewhere and unless and until you can prove you're paying tax somewhere else they will continue to tax you in the UK.

In addition, the covering letter that comes with the S1 form states quite clearly that you are entitled to free NHS care on any visits to the UK 'as though you were ordinarily resident in the UK', so there is no impact in having an S1 on your ability to access UK healthcare. If you return permanently to the UK you just tell the DWP you're back and the S1 care in the other country stops and you're back using the NHS as normal (that's all explained in the letter that comes with your S1 form).

Although I'm no lawyer, I think it's impossible to have dual residence. Residence isn't a lifestyle choice, it's a physical act. All countries have a test of residence and (AFAIK) living in that country for 183 days or more in a year is required in order to be considered 'resident' (it is in the UK).

You'll likely be automatically classed as tax resident in most countries if you spend more than 183 days a year living in that country. In Greece you have to obtain a tax number (ΑΦΜ) in order to do almost anything that involves interacting with the state (taxing a car for example, you actually need a tax number to buy a car even) and once you have a tax number you are required to file a yearly tax return, even if you spend less that 183 days in a year in Greece and pay tax in the UK.
 
Tony Cross said:
You'll likely be automatically classed as tax resident in most countries if you spend more than 183 days a year living in that country. In Greece you have to obtain a tax number (ΑΦΜ) in order to do almost anything that involves interacting with the state (taxing a car for example, you actually need a tax number to buy a car even) and once you have a tax number you are required to file a yearly tax return, even if you spend less that 183 days in a year in Greece and pay tax in the UK.
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Although the residence/tax rules also apply in Portugal and we have to have NIF no's. Finances dept. told us not to bother submitting annual returns as long as we have no income there. We don't know what the future holds and how our relationship with EU States may change so will avoid the S1 route unless it's demanded when my Portuguese EHIC comes up for renewal in a few years. I could take up Citizenship if necessary but don't want to do that.
 
Graham376 said:
Although the residence/tax rules also apply in Portugal and we have to have NIF no's. Finances dept. told us not to bother submitting annual returns as long as we have no income there. We don't know what the future holds and how our relationship with EU States may change so will avoid the S1 route unless it's demanded when my Portuguese EHIC comes up for renewal in a few years. I could take up Citizenship if necessary but don't want to do that.
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If an UK OAP and you only plan to travel between the UK and your host country (where you have residency), as you have free health cover in both countries, why bother with an EHIC?
 
No reason to but if you happen to go from Portugal to Spain (Ayamonte) maybe and have an accident or other reason to use the Spainish health services?
 
So - is it possible for an OAP with Portuguese residence to get a health no. and access to treatment without an S1?

Do I have to confess to being in receipt of a pension when I apply for it?

That is the bit I am not clear on.

- W
 
nortada said:
In the example you give, return to VRSA for treatment.
Or get holiday cover for short infrequent visits.
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Are you kidding? I'm having a heart attack but must get back to Portugal? Why bother with health cover when it's free of charge anywhere in EU with EHIC. I got the Portuguese EHIC when it was rumoured the UK would be pulling out of the scheme.


webcraft said:
So - is it possible for an OAP with Portuguese residence to get a health no. and access to treatment without an S1?
Do I have to confess to being in receipt of a pension when I apply for it?
That is the bit I am not clear on.
- W
Click to expand...

I obtained a health number without S1, someone recently said they had been refused. As usual, may depend on where you go and who you see.
 
Graham376 said:
Are you kidding? I'm having a heart attack but must get back to Portugal? Why bother with health cover when it's free of charge anywhere in EU with EHIC. I got the Portuguese EHIC when it was rumoured the UK would be pulling out of the scheme.

I obtained a health number without S1, someone recently said they had been refused. As usual, may depend on where you go and who you see.
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It's clearly a little different in Greece. It's probbaly a bit different in every EU country. We did obtain a 'health number' here in Greece (ΑΜΚΑ) just for the asking 10 years ago (though I understand it's not that easy to get one now). The AMKA number just registers you on the Greek system, it doesn't get you free healthcare (though you must have an AMKA number to get free healthcare). To get on the Greek health insurance (ΕΦΚΑ) you need an S1 form. Even then you have to navigate the typical Greek bureaucracy and have all the right forms with all the right stamps signed in all the right places. :)
 
This might be of interest - just arrived. It would appear I can apply for a new EHIC to replace my existing one and which will be valid in all EU countries (other than Spain where I am resident)
M.
 

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Listening to TODAY on Radio 4 this morning, Michael Gove was asked directly, "Will UK travellers still be able to access free emergency healthcare (EHIC) in the EU after 31.01/2020?"

Uniquely, he answered directly, "YES, certainly in the immediate future." This is directly opposite to the British Government advice, l so who is right?

It has been suggested that Brits resident in the EU may be able to continue to use their UK EHIC.

I understand, if these residents are getting a UK State pension and are registered under the S1 system, they can get an EHIC from their host nation but it will be issued and funded by the UK.

All very confusing.o_O
 
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