European health insurance for early retirees

Marine_life

An important topic but seemingly almost impossible find clear guidance on the internet!

I want to know the answer to the following:

We have lived outside the UK for a long time now (12 years) and are planning to retire early in a couple of years (when we will be around 50).

We are considering various options but top of those lists is:

1. A return to the UK
2. Retire to Austria
3. A combination of the two i.e. retirement homes in both coutries

At the moment we pay very expensive private medical insurance and my question is what would be the position in early retirement (and later full retirement) i.e. what cover would we need. We would still be happy to pay private cover (even to top up)

Any help or guidance for further reading much appreciated

MOGGYMALONE

Hi there, you might find this site useful.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/BritonsLivingAbroad/BeforeYouGo/DG_4000018

I think the problems arise because other European countries have so many different private hospitals etc. for example at the moment if you travel abroad (within the EU) you can use your EHIC which gives you basic healthcare cover however it wouldn't perhaps be accepted in all hospitals - the thing is though if you are permanently non-resident in UK then I don't think you can avail of this see www.ehic.org.uk for more details.

You would also need to think carefully about repatriation etc if for example you were taken ill and then decided to come back to the UK at a later date.

Hope this helps a little and I'm no expert here so please check all details carefully.
Very best wishes, Moggy

Marine_life

MOGGYMALONE wrote: »

Hi there, you might find this site useful.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/BritonsLivingAbroad/BeforeYouGo/DG_4000018

I think the problems arise because other European countries have so many different private hospitals etc. for example at the moment if you travel abroad (within the EU) you can use your EHIC which gives you basic healthcare cover however it wouldn't perhaps be accepted in all hospitals - the thing is though if you are permanently non-resident in UK then I don't think you can avail of this see www.ehic.org.uk for more details.

You would also need to think carefully about repatriation etc if for example you were taken ill and then decided to come back to the UK at a later date.

Hope this helps a little and I'm no expert here so please check all details carefully.
Very best wishes, Moggy

Thanks - I will start there!