englishguygoinghome

We've experienced similar problems. We found that once you made it clear it wasn't for a UK based insurance they were a lot happier to help. It appears that docotors are scared of UK travel insurance companies questioning (or worse, sueing) them for stating someone is unable to travel.

BristolUK

Quite right.

But this is about people residing rather than visiting isn't it?

Or has the thread topic suddenly changed?

alliekat

Oh!! I sure do wish I had known that golden tidbit while in England!!

alliekat

On EEA permit, you have to have insurance. For UKC in other EEA countries, you only need EHIC (if you qualify). For Americans, we have to have comprehensive sickness cover.

englishguygoinghome

Technically an EEA permit needs insurance. In reality you will have compulsory insurance in your EU country of residence, this will provide an EHIC which gives you free cover under the NHS. If you are relocating on an EEA family permit then you would pass the residency test from day 1 and be covered on the NHS.

Also worth noting - a UKC doesn't get an EHIC, any one who is resident and applicable for NHS cover gets one (which means expats don't but ex-expats do)

formula

Only if you are employed in the UK. If you are self sufficient (including an EEA who doesn't work while their non EU does) or a student, then you are not allowed free NHS. That's where EEAs are coming unstuck when they then try to claim PR after 5 years in the UK, as they haven't been exercising their EEA rights and therefore, no PR. They are classed as having been a burden to the EEA country they chose to live in.

I know that in Austria, EEA workers are given a medical card every week they work. If they haven't worked the week they need medical care, then the Austrian government will not give them the medical card that week to get free healthcare.

alliekat

So, let me get this straight. I am, for all intents and purposes self employed. I work for a company in Germany teaching English online as an independent contractor.

My impression of the exercising of treaty rights is this:

1. Move to EEA country with spouse, who either works for another or registers as self employed. He pays taxes accordingly, and must have health insurance coverage (possibly EHIC - as he is UKC).

2. I either accompany or meet my spouse in EEA country. I enter with comprehensive sickness insurance (a private travel/ex-pat insurance policy) and register as a spouse of an EU citizen exercising his treaty rights, and will be given an EEA spousal residency card in whatever country we move to. (Provided we meet the employment for spouse and health insurance for both of us requirement.)

3. We both pay appropriate taxes in our host country. (Does he then ALSO have to pay taxes in the UK??)

4. At the close of our (his) working stint, we apply to the British Embassy or Consulate (either??) closest to us for a 6-month entrance visa into the UK. Again, I have to have a travel/ex-pat comprehensive insurance policy to be granted this six-month visa.

5. Upon arrival to the UK, I immediately apply for UK residency based on the EEA resident permit (from other country) that I now have. I would, in theory, HAVE to be granted this residency permit - which would allow me to work (even in continuing self employment as I do now). This residency permit would then allow me to reside/work in UK?

6. During the 5 years of "residency" I must pay taxes (of course) and contribute to NHS (NIC contribution) so that when I apply for settlement after 5 years, I will not be considered a burden on UK society, and viola (if everything goes well) I am able to settle in the UK, and THEN access NHS??

Did I get this right? Did I miss anything??

scot47

Alliekat
UK NHS is non-contributory. Entitlement depends purely on residence. NHS is NOT financed from National Insurance Contributions. NICs deteremine eligibility to Benefits such as State Retirement Pension.A common misunderstanding.

alliekat

Thank you for the clarification. Hope you had a good holiday!

WEBlue

So are these two statements contradictory or not? Does Alliekat or any other non-EEA spouse coming in under Singh need to be employed in order to access free UK NHS or not?

I've been researching this--on this archived NH site, for one-- and find it VERY difficult to get a clear answer.
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.g...able/DH_074377

scot47

Employment is not a reequirement for NHS treatment. Residence is.

The other aspect to look at for medical treatment if coming fromn an EU country is "Do you have an EHIC ?"

I posted a couple of links to NHS EHIC pages for someone asking about going to Austria. Here it is :-

http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens...e/index_en.htm

You should also investigate getting an EHIC, for use when travelling.

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthc...-the-ehic.aspx

This is FREE from the NHS site. Avoid other sites that charge you !

scot47

The bit about EHIC is aimed at those having UK EHIC entitlement. If you have lived and worked in another EU country you may have EHIC entitlement there. For example if you have lived and worked in France you might be entitled to EHIC from there, which you could then use in the UK if you came here for a visit. You can check locally on entitlement and procedures.

scot47

http://www.heraldscotland.com/commen...olicy.19768633

Deffo UNFAIR !.

DaveLovesDee

I realise there has to be a national policy, but agree that policies tailored to the south-east of England's problems doesn't work well in Cardiff, Edinburgh, Newcastle or Birmingham.

WEBlue

Such sensible words from the journalist who wrote the article (but who is uncredited):
This is what makes me so angry about this law. It unfairly targets the young couples (and many older ones too).