spainrico

Commit to healthcare arrangements for British pensioners living in the EU

British pensioners living in within the European Union (EU) could lose their right to free or low-cost healthcare when Britain leaves. We call upon the Government of the United Kingdom to commit to maintaining the current healthcare arrangements for British pensioners living in an EU country.

For more and to sign the petition

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/156984

newpower

Out of interest, how many living in spain voted to leave the EU? are these the same people that will sign the petition?

Fred James

Out of all my expat friends living here, no-one voted for Brexit. Also, many have been disenfranchised by the 15 year rule and could not vote. If they could have done, it would be to remain.

Pulaski

It is inconsistent that the British government should subsidize healthcare in some countries but not others. If you want the government to pick up the tab for your Spanish healthcare, can I get the government to pick up the tab for my health care in the US when I retire?

Fredbargate

Well I'm already retired, I live in the EU but the UK government do not pick up my healthcare tab so why should they for others?

Pulaski

Exactly, why should they pay for anyone's healthcare if they choose to leave the country?

Loafing Along

There is another thread active on the same subject - lots of good information :
See letter from UK DWP

Dear Mr Adams Thank you for your email. The UK pays the Spanish Government an annual total of €2,966.88 for every registered state pensioner in Spain, who holds an S1 form. It also pays Spain for every treatment given via the European Health Insurance Card. If you need any further information please don't hesitate to get back in touch. Kind regards Martyn DWP/DH Compliance Team

snikpoh

Obviously not one of your friends

I voted to leave and am not yet a pensioner but have lived in Spain, full time with my family for 10 years. I am early retired (if that matters).

Fredbargate

Why have you quoted my post ???

Fred James

It's not inconsistent as the Spanish government do the same for their pensioners in the UK. All that we are asking for is that the reciprocal arrangement continues.

You are only entitled to this deal if you have a State pension which means that you have paid many years worth of NI contributions in the UK.

The fact that the US and the UK do not wish to have such an arrangement is up to them. Under EU law the UK is obliged to have this arrangement with other EU states, but there is nothing to stop them continuing it after Brexit.

I would guess that the reason that the UK don't like the idea of a similar arrangement with the US is because of covering the huge US costs compared to the UK.

Pulaski

I don't give two hoots for consistency with how Spain treats Spanish pensioners, but it hardly seems fair that a British citizen who emigrates to one country gets subsidized healthcare but their neighbour who emigrates to another country does not.

Loafing Along

Fredbargate : My apologies if I did something incorrect. However it does seem a very relevant comment in a discussion full of errors and was simply meant to indicate there is another thread about the same issue. Not skilled enough to transfer a compkete post from one thread to another.

Fredbargate

I still do not understand why you quoted me? But where are the errors in this discussion ?

Loafing Along

Wish I could delete earlier post as am going round in circles between the two discussions.

Fred James

It's not fair, but neither is the rule about pension increases. The difference here is that they may remove something that we previously were entitled to. That is different to moving to a country where you know in advance that you will not be entitled to it.

You knew that when you emigrated, we did not.