UK State Pensioners NHS Funded Health Care in EU

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office has confirmed that UK State Pensioners will get basic health care rights paid for by the NHS when in the EU.

We make the distinction as some EU countries offer free State Healthcare only for pensioners whereas others offer only basic free health care for some people and some types of treatment.

Previously, by carrying an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) when British Nationals travelled overseas, they would benefit in many countries for state funded basic health care rights.  This means that if you are in e.g. Spain, prior to Brexit, British Nationals carrying an EHIC card would benefit from state health care in Spain but still needed travel insurance for private health care facilities and medical repatriation etc.  Any State Healthcare costs provided in Spain would be refunded to Spain by the British Government/NHS and vice versa.  For state pensioners though, it is totally free state health care.  This position will continue until your EHIC card expires.

When your EHIC card expires you should apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which does exactly the same job. You will get the same level of free State Healthcare in Spain that you would have got if you are a Spanish National living in Spain with any elements that would not be free to a Spanish National, equally not free to a GHIC holder with travel insurance including healthcare included.

Europe

Most other EU countries will offer the same protection with the GHIC where you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free depending upon which country you are in.  It should be noted that you cannot use a GHIC or an existing EHIC in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, you will need travel insurance with healthcare cover although emergency medical treatment will be provided if you produce identification documents such as a passport.