Immigration: UK Govt to Fund 6-Month Healthcare for Over 180k Britons Living in EU in a No-Deal Brexit

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The United Kingdom government is taking the necessary steps to cover healthcare for its over 180,000 citizens living in the EU after October 31, in case of a no-deal Brexit.

While the UK government has proposed to each EU member country to continue the existing healthcare arrangements until 31 December 2020, no deal has yet been finalized in this regard. That is why, the UK has been searching for alternative solutions to ensure its citizens have healthcare access, in a post-no-deal-Brexit EU.

According to a press release of the UK govnerment, under the new plans, the government will provide support to around 180,000 UK nationals living in the EU who currently have their healthcare costs paid for by the UK, for a 6-month period following Brexit day.

“This includes pensioners, students, those on disability benefits and UK workers temporarily posted in the EU,” the press release reads.

The government will also provide coverage of expenses all UK nationals in the EU that are in the middle of treatment on October 31, for up to a year.

The UK Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock asserts that protecting the healthcare rights of UK nationals is a priority of the government.

“All UK nationals in the EU should act now and take the simple steps needed to secure their access to healthcare,” he announced.

The National Health Service will be writing to 180,000 UK nationals living in the EU, announcing the changes to them, and advising them on the steps they need to take to secure healthcare in case of a no-deal Brexit.

UK Travelers to EU After October 31, In a No-Deal Brexit

According to an announcement by the UK, the government will cover the healthcare costs of Briton travelers to the EU that commenced their trip before October 31, until they return to the UK.

However, those that travel to the EU after October 31, in a no-deal Brexit world, will need to purchase traveler’s health insurance. The insurance must be valid in the whole Schengen territory and with a minimum coverage of €30,000 for health-related incidents as unforeseen illnesses, traffic accidents, food poisoning, etc.

Travelers will also need to check their passport validity, if there is no Brexit deal by October 31. According to the EU rules, to enter the borderless Schengen territory, one must have at least 3 months of passport validity left, beyond the last day the plan to remain in the EU. A passport must be no older than 10 years on that date either.

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