TIGHTER controls within the NHS mean British expats without the necessary paperwork can no longer expect free medical treatment during trips back to the UK, OverseasGuidesCompany.com has revealed.

“Previously, some expats have been able to travel back to the UK to take advantage of free healthcare for certain conditions, without questions over their residency status,” said Elaine Ferguson, Head of the Resource Centre at OverseasGuidesCompany.com.

“But from this month, non-residents of the UK, including British expats who are resident in the European Economic Area (EEA) and who are not UK state pensioners, will have to pay for NHS treatment they receive back in the UK out of their own pocket, unless they have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from their European place of residence or the necessary medical insurance.

“This excludes treatment in A&E departments and GP surgeries. “

She added: “Similarly, expats resident in a country outside of the EEA will be billed 150 per cent of the NHS national tariff for any NHS care they receive if they are not covered by suitable medical insurance.

“This clamping down is an example of how the UK’s austerity measures are affecting expats. Times are changing and if you’re not a UK pensioner, you can no longer just nip back to the UK for free healthcare when it suits you – and this should be taken into consideration before relocating abroad.

“Healthcare should be a key concern of anyone moving abroad, in particular if you are retired or approaching retirement, so now it’s even more important to be satisfied with the standard – and, if applicable, costs – of medical treatment that will be available in your new home.”