Of the many anxieties that a no-deal Brexit throws up one of the most emotive and expensive relates to the British ex-pat communities that are found across Europe. 190,000 people alone have moved to Europe to retire, and a no-deal Brexit would see them lose their NHS healthcare in the country of their choice, the government has stated. It is entirely possible that in that eventuality a considerable number of people would feel that they had no choice other than to return to the UK to be treated by the NHS in Britain. The cost to the NHS in terms of money and resources would be enormous. It is well known that it is cheaper to treat elderly ex-pats, whose needs are often far greater than the average person, by paying the country they live to address their health needs rather than having them sell up and return home to obtain treatment. Currently, the reciprocal arrangement under the S1 rules, which operates in the EU, EEA countries and Switzerland allows individuals to be treated where they live if they retire or move to Europe for work. However, the government slipped a notification slightly under the radar pointing out that those covered by the S1 certificate will be covered only up until 29 March 2019 after which its validity will depend on the decisions made by the Member States as to whether Britain fall off the cliff or a better deal is struck. The government has also amended its phone line relating to overseas health care to inform those planning to move to a country within the EEA or Switzerland within the next four weeks that their S1 application will only be processed if they apply within the next four weeks.
This is not only a blow for the ex-pat communities but also a complete surprise as they had been promised that their healthcare will be protected. Sue Wilson of the Bremain in Spain campaign group commented, “this is a big shock to everyone and our members are really really scared”. A not an insignificant number of British pensioners have retired to the Costa del Sol in Spain for financial reasons where they can live more cheaply and to a better standard of living than in the UK and as one 83-year-old man was quoted in the Guardian said “it is the skint ones who are at risk”.
Jeremy Morgan, the spokesman for British in Europe for health issues, said: “Just think of the impact of this on a 75-year-old in the middle of vital cancer treatment on 30 March”. The chairman of Fair Deal for Ex-pats, John Shaw, is in that unhappy position; he is currently undergoing treatment for cancer in France where he lives.
The government has been trying to negotiate reciprocal deals with EU countries with regard to the continuation of health care but nothing has been arranged so far. The best that the government can do is suggest that ex-pats either think about taking up private medical care in the country that they now live in, not a very practical suggestion as many health insurance schemes will not take on individuals of pensionable age except at a high cost. The other suggestion is to see if they are eligible for free health care in the country of residence, this also may be a bit of a long shot.
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