Important Information For Expats Moving To France

By Author: Andrew Wilson
Total Articles: 9
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Application submissions for temporary S1 health forms for individuals belonging to the United Kingdom heading to other EU states won't be accepted from July 1, states the UK’s Dept of Health.

The cessation of the forms, that enable early-retiree expatriates as much as two-and-a-half years of French state medical protection, has been under consideration since a year ago and it was initially implied that the United Kingdom might stop issuing them last month.

A junior health minister, Jane Ellison, confirmed this new date in a statement, adding that at the same time the government will cease carrying out “EHIC co-payments” which means the United Kingdom reimbursing EHIC holders for the section of travelers’ healthcare in other EU countries that is not repaid to the state’s own citizens, in nations such as France which have partial reimbursement systems.

The minister said the UK isn't required under European Union legislation to do either of these and is the sole country offering S1s to early retirees.

The effect is that no more application submissions for “residual” ...
... (short term) S1s will be accepted after July 1, the statement said. Nonetheless “this change does not affect current holders of residual S1s or the right of UK state pensioners to access medical care when they retire to another EEA state”.

This means that permanent S1s - for the most part issued to UK state pensioners - will still be issued. A Department of Health spokeswoman added: “These changes only apply to new applications for residual S1s. All existing residual S1 forms will remain in place and continue to be valid until their cessation date.”

The changes (which include stopping EHIC co-payments) are projected to indicate a saving of “up to £7 million a year” to the United Kingdom, which the spokeswoman said “could be put back into frontline care”.

If you need help or assistance if you or your family impacted by these changes please visit www.xactexpat.com or call us on +44(0)191 259 4645

Andrew Wilson
Director
Xact Risk Solutions
www.xactexpat.com

Andrew has over twenty years experience providing the best insurance solutions for his clients needs. A recognised expert in the field of international medical insurance, he has helped expats all around the world whether they be individuals, families, groups or companies. Please visit the website at www.xactexpat.com to find out more, or you can get a free, no obligation quote simply by visiting www.xactexpat.com/get-a-quote.html