CONFUSED? YOU WILL BE
UK government disarray over post-Brexit healthcare
BRITISH government planning for no-deal Brexit descended into farce this week when the department for health suggested on Monday that expat pensioners could lose their right to free healthcare – only to be apparently contradicted by the British Embassy over the issue on Wednesday afternoon.
A government no-deal technical notice created confusion and fear in the expat community when a follow-up report appeared in The Guardian newspaper under the headline ‘UK retirees in EU will lose free healthcare under no-deal Brexit’.
The no-deal guidance, published on the government’s website, noted that they were updating information on healthcare for UK nationals living in the European Union ‘if the UK leaves the EU without a deal on March 29’ – which appeared increasingly likely this week.
It stated: “The government has, or is seeking, agreements with countries in the EU/EEA and Switzerland on the continuation of healthcare arrangements for UK nationals after March 29.
“Your access to healthcare may change if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.”
Expats were advised that ‘there are steps you may have to take now to prepare – this will differ according to the country you are living in’.
A section on the S1 certificate – which is available to anyone in receipt of a state pension – reminded that ‘this helps you and your dependents access healthcare in the EU/EEA country where you live’.
“If you have an S1 certificate, it will be valid until March 29,” states the technical notice.
“After this date, the certificate may not be valid, depending on decisions by member states. “You should go to the NHS website for the latest information on each country.”
Expat community leaders reacted with dismay.
Valencia-based Sue Wilson, who chairs the Bremain in Spain association, said the change could be devastating.
“All along we’ve been told our healthcare is protected. This is a big shock to everyone and our members are really, really scared,” she said.
In response, the British Embassy sent out a press release on Wednesday afternoon with further details.
A spokeswoman noted that the technical notice had ‘triggered some reactions, so we wanted to try and offer some reassurance where we can and to add some Spain-specific information’.
Their statement explained: “It is a priority for the UK’s department of health, and for the British Embassy in Madrid, to ensure UK nationals living or working in the EU can continue to access the healthcare they need as we exit the EU.
“We are working closely with Spain to make sure patients can continue to access healthcare, whatever the outcome.
“The Spanish government has already announced that it is planning contingency measures to guarantee healthcare provisions to UK nationals living in Spain starting on the date of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU if there is no agreement, on a reciprocal basis.”
An Embassy source explained that Spain is bringing forward a law giving the Spanish PM the power ‘to guarantee British nationals access to healthcare under the current system in the event of a no deal – providing there’s a reciprocal agreement based on current access’.