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Expats’ EHIC-Style Rights Guarantee a Step Closer

“For the 190,000 expat state pensioners who have chosen to live in the EU and those intending to retire to the EU, it will help by safeguarding reciprocal healthcare if there is no EU deal,” announced the government.

Baron O’Shaughnessy, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care commented, “Whether on holiday, working or retiring abroad, British people want to know they can access the same high quality healthcare that they enjoy in the NHS.

“This bill will allow us to implement new healthcare arrangements with other countries – in the EU and elsewhere – so that UK citizens can travel with confidence.”

Furthermore, the government has also reassured expats that it expects the existing EHIC scheme will survive “subject to an agreement with the EU”.

The bill was brought to parliament by Health Minister Jackie Doyle-Price. It lays the “legal basis to fund and implement reciprocal healthcare schemes and share necessary data after we leave the EU”.

Although the move has been criticised by some, it is undoubtedly a positive move as it represents an important contingency in the event of a no-deal.

Blacktower, expat financial services

At Blacktower we make it our priority to help you achieve your financial and retirement goals while also helping you negotiate all cross-border considerations, including those that are related to Brexit.

If you are seeking expat financial advice regarding Brexit and would like to find out more about how Blacktower’s wealth management services could benefit you, contact us today.

This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, investment recommendations or investment research. You should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this communication is correct, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions.

Other News

OECD Forum Speaker Says Retirement Savers Need Empowerment

DiscussionOn 20 May 2019, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Forum 2019 in Paris heard from Aegon CEO Alex Wynaendts during a panel discussion*, in which he said that rising longevity “should be a gift and not a worry”.

However, he noted, preparing for this gift presents a challenge which needs to be addressed not only by the individual but as a joint action with employers and governments as well.

Read More

End to 15-year-rule for expats

Great news for the clients of expat financial services: the government has announced proposals to abolish the 15-year time limit on the right of expats to participate in UK general elections.

The policy statement, which was published as part of document entitled “A democracy that works for everyone: British citizens overseas”, details the government’s idea of ensuring rigorous checks on the identities of expats so that they can register to vote without suspicion of fraud.

Furthermore, cost analysis performed by the government predicts that ending the 15-year rule and implementing an expat voting registration scheme will actually cost only a six-figure sum; far less than the millions of pounds some experts have previously claimed it would require.

Read More

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