Quote:
Originally Posted by Stravinsky
Im a UK Expat living in Spain who researched the health system quite exstensively before coming here.
On leaving the UK I gained an E106 which entitled me to nearly two years free health care in Spain. As I dont work and I am not of retirement age I am then unable to get health cover in Spain, except for emergencies, and therefore have to get private cover until one of us reaches retirement age when we will get full cover under the Spanish system with an E121.
On all the forums I have been on I have been told the system is roughly the same in France. It is not legal to live in Spain for instance and claim health cover in the UK, it is a breach of the EU agreements. You forgo your health rights in the UK when you take Spanish residency which you must do by law now on arriving here with intent to live here.
I know of many people in France who are having to pay for health treatment now and have no way of claiming it back. The only way you can do it, afaik, is to not tell the UK authorities that you have moved and go back to the UK when you need treatment. I believe the French are tightening up now on any health care for the non retired, according to some links I saw recently.
Thats what I have been told by people living there anyway  |
The system here in France is going to change in January 2008, at the moment if you are an EU resident you are entitled to the same health care as any French National. All French nationals receive 70% of their health care paid for by the state, they take out a health insurance (Mutual) for the other 30%. The insurance is not expensive.
If you are a UK expat then if as you say you completed the E106, the French social security would have issued you with a social security number, and you would not lose your entitlements under the health system here.
In January, if you do not work here or are not retired, then you will not get health care cover free. I live here in France, I work and so I am entitled to health care, I also pay a mutual to cover the 30% I have to pay. My own personal experience of health care here is very good. The system works very well, I have no complaintes.