EHIC 'Replacement' part of 'The Deal'
Details Here:
Title I - Social Security Coordination
113. The provisions in the Protocol on Social Security Coordination will ensure that individuals who move between the UK and the EU in the future will have their social security position in respect of certain important benefits protected. Individuals will be able to have access to a range of social security benefits, including reciprocal healthcare cover and an uprated state pension.
114. This Protocol supports business and trade by ensuring that cross- border workers and their employers are only liable to pay social security contributions in one state at a time. Generally, this will be in the country where work is undertaken, irrespective of whether the worker resides within the EU or the UK, or indeed whether the employer is based in the EU or the UK.
115. UK workers who are sent by their employer to work temporarily in an EU Member State which has agreed to apply the “detached worker” rules will remain liable to only pay social security contributions in the UK for the period of work in that EU Member State. Similarly, if an EU worker is sent by their employer to work temporarily in the UK from a Member State which has agreed to apply the “detached worker” rules, they will remain liable to only pay contributions in that EU Member State.
116. Under the Protocol, the UK and EU Member States will be able to take into account relevant contributions paid into each other’s social security systems, or relevant periods of work or residence, by individuals for determining entitlement to a state pension and to a range of benefits. This will provide a good level of protection for people working in the UK and EU Member States. The Protocol also provides for the uprating of the UK State Pension paid to pensioners who retire to the EU.
117. On healthcare, where the UK or an EU Member State is responsible for the healthcare of an individual, they will be entitled to reciprocal healthcare cover. This includes certain categories of cross-border workers and state pensioners who retire to the UK or to the EU.
118. In addition, the Protocol will ensure necessary healthcare provisions – akin to those provided by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) scheme – continue. This means individuals who are temporarily staying in another country, for example a UK national who is in an EU Member State for a holiday, will have their necessary healthcare needs met for the period of their stay.
119. The Protocol also protects the ability of individuals to seek authorisation to receive planned medical treatment in the UK or the EU, funded by their responsible State.
My take on this: If you have a current EHIC you should keep it until advised how to obtain a replacement.
Comments
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Interesting reference (future tense?) to ‘state pensioners who retire to the EU’. Apart from special arrangements like the Spanish & Portuguese Golden Visa, I assumed that would no longer be an option beyond the 90/180 day arrangement - retirement would suggest something more permanent than that?
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There is reference to the EHIC being replaced by a UK Health Card but you can continue to use the EHIC until it's expiry date and obviously until they have introduced said new card.
Not sure what the procedure is for those travellers whose EHIC expires soon and before a new card can be introduced.
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My take on this: If you have a current EHIC you should keep it until advised how to obtain a replacement.
Correct. Elsewhere the UK Gov has advised that your extant EHIC will remain valid until it is due to expire at which point one can apply for the newly agreed replacement.
This was always going to happen as EU countries and their health services have benefitted considerably more from the EHIC system than the UK.
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Hi Phil
I guess there's a good few of us that have lots of fingers crossed!!
JK
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Yes, great news, I’ll keep an eye open for that development. If Spain went down that road Portugal would likely do the same.
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I’m not sure the intention is to provide health insurance for holidays, but a scheme to recognise insurability under EU law.
The following extract from the guidance states:
“Using a new UK EHIC from 1 January 2021
Some people may be able to get a new UK-issued EHIC, which will remain valid after 1 January 2021.You can apply if you're:
a UK State Pensioner or receiving some other exportable benefits, and you have a registered S1 form or E121”So, if you’re in the EU and entitled to a UK qualifying pension or contribution based benefit you are entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK. Beyond that I’m not sure there is a general entitlement for UK citizens?
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Researching that point a bit future, I can’t find any clear statement of intent from a reliable source, but it seems the Portuguese are more inclined to grant a 180 day stay if permitted by EU law. That would require an amendment to the Schengen Agreement so I’m not holding my breath. However, there are some very strong economic drivers for Spain & Portugal, so who knows?
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That is referring to the old EHIC and the replacement for pensioners living in Europe (who are covered by their S1, under the NHS). The new guidance linked to in my original post quite clearly mentioned holidays, as follows:
118. In addition, the Protocol will ensure necessary healthcare provisions – akin to those provided by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) scheme – continue. This means individuals who are temporarily staying in another country, for example a UK national who is in an EU Member State for a holiday, will have their necessary healthcare needs met for the period of their stay.
This link is to the updated post-deal information:
Post Brexit changes - Gov.uk
You will need to scroll right down to section 4.4 paragraph 113 onwards.2 -
Ok, thank you.
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Hi
An update today from the Spanish Government for UK residents from 1/1/2021 if you want to stay beyond your 90 days you can get a visa for £516 each.
Phil
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I am just wondering what part of £516 each is considered good value or worthwhile?
David
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EHIC will become a GHIC - eventually except it won`t be valid in Switzeland Norway plus a couple of others unless agreements made. Would`nt occur to us to go anywhere without comprehensive travel insurance, cards won`t help to get you home in the event of a serious problem.
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I’m sure most people would do as you and take out travel insurance. However, the EHIC/GHIC does provide a useful benefit. It will provide necessary medical cover regardless of whether your problem results from a pre-existing condition. Unless you’ve meticulously detailed and disclosed everything that may possibly be relevant (and paid the inflated premium) you could find yourself in a dispute with your insurer. Travel insurance is great for accidents, but if linked to a chronic condition possibly less so?
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I'm sure no one on here would be foolish enough to fall for this, but the sharks are circling - you could pay this lot £35 per person to apply on your behalf for a free GHIC. Be warned, sure to be plenty more around like this!
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I wonder when I'll receive the first phone scam about this?
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I got mine on Ebay - good price.
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We've applied online on the Gov website for ours. Yes the 90/180 day rules will cause many of us who travel problems. We'll have to either reduce our breaks or go to Croatia every year for at least a month to do our May, June & September, October breaks when we normally spend 60 days in each session to fit in with our travel insurance rules. Doesn't look good either re taking our fridges full of food for the journey until we shop.
Regards, Roy
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I didn't realise it was possible to apply yet. Our EHICs are valid until June so I don't suppose it's very likely we'll have need of them before then!
I was a bit confused listening to Martin Lewis on his money show last week saying there's no need to apply for a GHIC as it will be automatically issued when your EHIC expires.
Edit - just spotted one cause of (my) confusion - the gov.UK website application for a GHIC still refers to EHIC in its heading!
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Listening to money box radio 4 yesterday, I got the impression you needed to apply for new card, but old one would be fine until expiry. They're expecting a late wait for issue 🤣.
I do find Martin Lewis speaks very quickly, I love the fact we always use subtitles.
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