Expats advised to consider health insurance
Expats have been advised to look into health insurance this week.
Expats who are unsure about the level of medical care they will be entitled to in their old age whilst abroad have been advised to look into health insurance this week.
The comment was made by expatriate/international lifestyle magazine Shelter Offshore, following new restrictions, which were brought in this June to limit expats' right to healthcare.
Furthermore, from June 5th foreign nationals in Spain who are not contributing to the country's social security system lost their right to healthcare, unless they were in possession of one of two forms.
The first of these is an E121, which is issued to British men at 65 and women at 60, while the second was a E106. This form extends an individual's access to state health services for up to two and a half years after they stop working.
On the back of these changes to the law, the British Embassy in Madrid advised individuals affected to buy private medical insurance.
Rhiannon Davies, director of Shelter Offshore, explains: "Recent scares in France and now Spain have left many would-be expats worrying about affording healthcare in retirement.
"However, it's worth pointing out that in both cases those who are or may be affected by the proposed restrictions on foreigners' healthcare entitlements are pre-retirees."
She adds that there are many European countries where Brits in retirement should still have access to free healthcare.
However, to be sure of their rights, expats were advised to check with the British Embassy in the given nation they are in or with an insurance broker like SAGA.
Expats who want to err on the side of caution were also informed by the magazine's director that there are some nations where health insurance is cheap and may be a sensible idea.
"In countries such as Cyprus, North Cyprus and Turkey, healthcare is very affordable - even for those who go private," Ms Davies said.
She added: "But to ensure one can afford any and all care and treatment potentially necessary, it really is worth looking into health insurance if you are unsure about the level of care you will be entitled to in your preferred destination of choice."
If on consideration people's health options end up looking bleak or expensive, Ms Davies notes that they could always return to the UK where the NHS will take care of them in their old age.
