Living In Two Countries
 

Hi all,

We are thinking of splitting our time between the UK and Australia and wondered if anyone else has experience of this. We own a home here in Aus and will buy a home in England (with savings already in the UK). We work seasonally in Aus 9 months a year so will spend 3 months a year in the UK, may want to work during those 3 months in a temp job or similar, we are dual Citizens. Just not sure how this would work tax wise, residency laws wise and NHS wise??? welcome any advice or experiences!!! thanks in advance.

Re: Living In Two Countries
 

Tax wise it would be a nightmare. Under your scenario you would be tax resident in Australia and liable for Australian tax on your worldwide income - although there is a double tax arrangement between the UK and Australia and you would only have to pay the difference between the 2

It is possible to live overseas and not be liable for Australian tax but it is not straightforward and would take some planning and structuring to avoid. Do a search on BE as this subject has come up before

Re: Living In Two Countries
 

Can't help with most of your questions, but I do know that you wouldn't satisfy the residence requirements for accessing the NHS, sorry :(

Re: Living In Two Countries
 

Doesn't reciprocal Medicare work both ways between Australia and the U.K. For Australian visitors?

Re: Living In Two Countries
 

For emergency care only

Re: Living In Two Countries
 

I think in actuality that doctors both in the UK and Oz tend to be quite flexible in terms of what represents "emergency care", but I would not want to rely on the discretion of individual doctors; and access is becoming tighter both ends. Private health insurance is expensive and generally premiums would increase with age.

Note that UK tax residency also probably means UK taxation of any Australian superannuation stream, which would would normally be untaxed in Oz; you therefore need to be careful and get (prior) specific tax advice.

Re: Living In Two Countries
 

You're right - access to the NHS has been tightened considerably. A non-resident (which is what spending 3 months in the UK and 9 in Australia would make you) would certainly receive urgent treatment in hospital for eg a broken bone, under a Reciprocal Health Agreement. Any care after the initial emergency would be chargeable, including scans, equipment, rehab, follow up appointments, physio etc.

Any ongoing treatment for non-urgent, chronic or pre-existing conditions would not be available on the NHS to a non-resident, including tests, scans, GP and consultant appointments, prescriptions, in or outpatient hospital attendance. Way too risky so private health insurance covering those 3 months per year would be a must, or very deep pockets.

Re: Living In Two Countries
 

I'm no expert on public health systems but couldn't you say on your 3 months in the UK that you'd just moved back permanently?

Re: Living In Two Countries
 

I can cofirm that my son who was about 18 months old at the time, and not very well at all, was hit with a £30 GP visit bill from the family life long doctors surgery in the UK, despite me showing them on the internet the reciprocal right arrangements.

Needless to say, the family no longer uses the surgery they have done for 40 years.

Re: Living In Two Countries
 

I think there are some fairly stringent criteria in place now for accessing the NHS if you have just moved back. I don't think it's as simple as just rocking up and saying we've moved back any more.


S

Re: Living In Two Countries
 

I wondered how Kylie Minogue used the Melbourne hospital for her treatment when she was ill despite living in London.

Perhaps she paid outright for the ongoing treatment.

Re: Living In Two Countries
 

More than likely - or had high quality Ex-Pat insurance.


S

Re: Living In Two Countries
 

That's probably the trick then. If its only for 3 months, take out insurance for the trip

Re: Living In Two Countries
 

Nah, the Home Office is red hot on this. They want to see Council tax notices among other documents. UK citizens who aren't 'ordinarily resident' pay 150% of the standard NHS charge for the services they access, in England anyway. There are different arrangements for UK citizens living in an EU country. For now, who knows what the future will bring!

Re: Living In Two Countries
 

Agree.