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@Toon

@jonathonkennard

I hope this post doesn't sound overly pedantic, especially as I don't know all the UK rules on residency and NHS access. But once you've moved abroad this potentially impacts your entitlement to such access. Although it's clear that you can (and many do) continue to do so... often thinking that it's totally OK. However, this area is a big deal for the NHS and they look for NHS Patient Fraud (using NHS in the UK, when not entitled to do so) and NHS Overseas Patient Fraud (accessing the NHS within the EU using an EHIC/GHIC). A lot of us probably assume the former category is about naughty foreigners rocking up in the UK to sneakily get major surgery, but it can also apply to Brits who've relocated abroad, and now want to pop home for a new hip.

@jonathonkennard

If you relocate to Cyprus, then you typically need GESY or a private health policy. And you lose your rights to NHS access because of non-residence. But you'd need to check the exact rules, especially if you still keep a home in the UK and spend some time there. I've been outside the UK for many years, and it would be definitely a bit naughty of me to pop back and try to get free NHS treatment (but I'd probably get away with it as I have a UK passport and a UK address with up-to-date proof). I think I read the rule is "ordinarily resident" which is a slippery concept: if I had a major emergency and I need a new ticker, and I wanted to do it back in Suffolk... I believe I can return to the UK with the INTENT of living there (i.e. leaving my current home abroad), and that would (immediately) fit the bill, and my NHS use would therefore be OK. :-)

@Toon

Those with rights under the Withdrawal Agreement (including me, and you, I think) can get an UK EHIC still. Others can get a GHIC. Both are for accident/emergency cover while travelling in the EU.

However, as above, if someone (e.g. me) has been living abroad, and no longer resident in the UK, then it's not clear that one can continue to use the GHIC. (I'm assuming the UK EHIC is OK, as that's issued on the basis that you're resident abroad in an EU country, pre-Brexit.)

I could easily request a new GHIC in the UK, and I'd guess I'd probably get away with using it. But, strictly speaking, I should be using my BG EHIC as that's where I (mostly) live and where I'm paying my social security contributions. Similarly, someone living in Cyprus would, ideally, have a CY EHIC for their EU travel. Understandably, the complications of GESY make getting a CY EHIC much harder (if not impossible for some years), hence the very natural temptation to keep using one's GHIC.

@gwynj

Correct on all counts...and as you rightly point out lots of Brits complain about immigrants using the NHS and getting access to NHS but they conveniently  forget that once an immigrant  is legally resident they are 100% entitled to do so .

The other side of course are those British immigrants who are now legally resident (temporary or permanent doesn't matter) abroad lose their right to access their UK GP. But they don't tell anyone .they should be using the Cyprus EHIC. So they get away with it. Further there are brits abroad usually operating under the radar using their uk issued EHIC / GHIC as a tourist..usually using a homeland address they have access to by way of family ... Been happening for a long long time and still happening today some also go back to their homeland for their meds too.

British pensioners do still retain some of the rights as well as accessing NHS and have an entitlement to the GHIC..

I had a letter from NHS International advising that now I no longer reside in the UK I am no longer eligable for UK NHS services. If I visit the UK I need to take appropriate travel health insurance to get treatment. I should advise my doctor I am no longer resident and also not obtain any repeat prescriptions in the UK.

I understand that being in GESY, as a result of the S1, means any treatment I receive in Cyprus will be charged back to the UK NHS. If this is the case I would expect to still be able to access UK NHS services if I return as they are ultimately picking up the costs. Go figure.

If you are resident in Cyprus and registered with GESY, you should be able to get a Cyprus EHIC card which entitles you to NHS treatment when you visit the UK (just like a UK visitor to Cyprus can use a UK-issued EHIC or GHIC card in Cyprus).

@phildraper

You use the EHIC for treatments if you visit the UK, this has always been the case.

The GHIC is tied to your National Insurance number. Or Gesy Equivalent

In practice the first thing your gp or nhs hospital do is pull up your nhs record online - you can also  see everything via the app consultations/referrals/reports and meds as all information is on one system

if you have an nhs number you can download the nhs app

If you have an existing EHIC you can continue to use it until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you'll need to apply for a UK GHIC to replace it. You can apply for a new card up to 9 months before your current card expires. A UK GHIC is free and lasts for up to 5 years.

If you are visiting the UK from an EU country and you fall ill or have a medical emergency during your temporary stay in England, you can use a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued by your home country to access healthcare. You will need to bring your EHIC if you are eligible to use it in the UK.

Anyone know how to apply for the Cyprus EHIC card?

Try here

Thank Toon. I printed the form. It looks like I need a form from the doctor to confirm I am registered and then I need to take it all to the citizens service center