Are you a British citizen planning to move abroad? If so, you may be wondering what options you have when it comes to healthcare.
Our sister site RHJ Accountants have explored the various healthcare options for UK citizens abroad. Focusing on how they might compare to healthcare in the UK. From private insurance to public healthcare plans, we’ll cover all basics of healthcare abroad…
If you would like to read more from RHJ Accountants, click here
Accessing healthcare abroad
Before setting off to your destination, request a quote from our team to find out what healthcare resources will be available to you. The main thing to understand is not to expect that each insurer abroad will offer the same services and benefits as the NHS. That’s why we recommend speaking to our team prior to moving. Ensuring your country of choice is the right fit for you.
You need to register with the relevant authorities in your new country. Once you can legally work and pay taxes, you’re eligible for the healthcare provided by that nation’s government.
The way of registering in the public health care system differs significantly in each country. In some countries, you’re granted public coverage once you start to work. But some require that you’ve stayed in the country for a few years to have access to the system.
Private healthcare options
For many British citizens looking to travel, work or live abroad, private healthcare options are a great alternative to state-provided services. Private healthcare abroad can vary from country to country. But it is often more comprehensive than that offered by the NHS. This options typically provides access to a wider variety of treatments and specialised care, such as specialist medical equipment, private hospital rooms and other features.
Private healthcare options abroad often come with an extra cost. But can provide more timely access to treatments and can help people avoid long waiting lists for procedures.
At RHJ Law, our team have access to several private healthcare insurance providers. So if you’re considering accessing healthcare abroad, we can offer you a competitive quote today. With our access to various policies from different providers, you can choose the coverage that best suits your needs.
Using NHS status abroad
The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is a system of universal healthcare. It provides healthcare to anyone in the UK without any additional costs. This means that citizens of the UK are entitled to certain benefits when travelling abroad, such as access to emergency care in some European countries and Switzerland.
If you’re temporarily residing abroad in an EU country or Switzerland, you can make use of the NHS global health insurance card. This card allows you to access state-provided healthcare under the same terms and conditions as a citizen of the country you’re visiting. However, it’s important to be aware that the global insurance card from the NHS can only be used under certain circumstances.
To understand all the rules and regulations related to using the card, we recommend visiting the NHS website and reading through all the information provided. This will give you a better understanding of what you can and can’t do while making use of your NHS status abroad.
Planning to return to the UK
It can be daunting to leave your home country and go live abroad, so it’s important to plan for what you might do if things don’t work out. The good news is that the NHS healthcare system will still be here for you when you return. To access this care, you’ll need to make sure you have UK residency status again. The best way to do this is by registering at a local GP practice.
Once you are registered, you will be able to access NHS healthcare services again. You may also need to apply for a new GP registration number, as well as any other NHS numbers related to your health care.
Having a good plan in place for how you will move back to the UK and access healthcare services will help ensure that you have the support you need should things not go as planned. This can give you peace of mind and make sure you’re prepared for any eventuality.
How RHJ Accountants can help
As mentioned above, our team at RHJ Law can help you consider competitive quotes from various health insurance providers.
To find out more, visit the RHJ Law website today and review our Insurance page. Or just simply arrange a free consultation with our team today to help guide you.
