Holiday home and healthcare after brexit

Buying a holiday home in a foreign country is not the same as buying a caravan in Grimsby where you would still have the full benefit of UK NHS. You are right to ask questions about healthcare but that may come at a cost and be restrictive. As far as I am aware the European Health Card ‘EHIC’ future is still unknown, but please bear in mind EHIC is only for emergency treatment at A&E. Unless you become resident you do not qualify for the S1. Private medical care and travel insurance policies usually have exclusions and a lot of detail in the terms and conditions.

Thank you all for this information. This is why I’m going to sit and wait until we have some more clarity next year. Due to work commitments we need to remain in the UK however due to working from home we could do extended stays in Spain..

An EHIC is not only for emergencies, it covers you for any treatment which becomes necessary during a stay in another EU state and can even include things like kidney dialysis if it's part of an ongoing course of treatment.

That said it is never a substitute for proper travel insurance and never has been. 

You seem to have done your homework, so please excuse me for pointing out that 'extended stays' after 1/1/21 can be for up to 90 days in any 180 days.

With regard to healthcare, from the point of medication, it will be unlikely that you will be able to bring more than a month's supply of your prescription medications from the UK.  However, if you bring your repeat medication slip, then you will be able, in most cases, to purchase your medication from a local pharmacy.  Most charges should not break the bank.  If an EHIC is still valid, then that will cover any urgently required treatment, but it will never cover the cost of repatriation, if that should be necessary.  As a previous poster has pointed out, insurance can be costly and most likely will only cover pre existing conditions at a vastly inflated premium. I have read scare stories of foreigners being automatically taken to private hospitals, so if in need of emergency cover, then call 112 and let them arrange hospital transfer.

Thank you for this info, I'm happy to go down the private healthcare route. But I'm alos aware I don't want to double up if I don't need to. Looking forward to coming across and having a look later in the year when we are safe to travel and retunr to some normality. 

Hi Purple gran

When my husband and I visit Spain for extended periods; 10 or 11 weeks, I bring enough prescription medication with me to cover the full length of the stay. 🤪🥂

We always used to buy annual travel insurance, which also covered some existing medical conditions. Although never ‘cheap’, it was less costly than buying several single trip policies. It did require some time on the phone going through various medical questions, but meant we were covered without fear of them refusing to pay out on the grounds of non disclosure.

Goto a reputable company and make sure you list all medical rea

Don t forget that the S1 healthcare is only available for UK pensioners who are claiming UK state pension and for some who have some exportable benefits.

We're not sure yet if new S1's will be issued after Brexit. 

Steve 

Thank you for your reply. We do travel a lot abroad and do the same. I’m just trying to do some due diligence. Making sure I’m not Doubling up or utilising an existing plan or government scheme. With the hope that we spend quite a lot of time in Spain.