Health issues

Looking after your health is always important, but it is increasingly vital as people grow older and are more likely to require health services. Therefore, it is essential for your peace of mind to know that your health care needs would be met in your chosen country, should that situation arise.

Health costs
You'll want to be informed about health costs abroad. For example, you may be required to pay into a sickness insurance scheme in the country of your choice. Find out before you go by contacting the relevant consulate for your destination country.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office website lists contact details for all the foreign embassies in the UK. In most cases, the consular section will be able to provide information (often a leaflet) on healthcare and other social issues in your destination country.

Health insurance
Although some healthcare costs are covered by reciprocal agreements with certain countries, the Government strongly advises people retiring abroad to take out health insurance covering medical and dental treatment, as well as medical repatriation to the UK.

Form E121: low-cost or free treatment
If you are retiring to a country in the European Economic Area, you may be entitled to receive the same low-cost or free medical treatment as a pensioner in that country, subject to certain criteria. To access this treatment, you will need form E121, which you can get from the Department of Work and Pensions.

Write to: The Department for Work and Pensions, The Pension Service, International Pension Centre, Tyneview Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE98 1BA. You can also phone The Pension Service on 0191 218 7777.
Each person needs a separate form. You should submit the form to the authorities that run the country's sickness insurance scheme when you get there.
The Department for Work and Pensions website carries further information about form E121. If you travel from your new country to another destination within the EEA, you will need form E111 for urgent medical cover. You should be able to get this from the sickness insurance authority in your new country.

Researching healthcare facilities
Do your research on local medical facilities. Ask:

Are they easily accessible?
Are they of an acceptable standard?
Is there access to an English-speaking doctor?
Is it easy to get prescriptions dispensed?

Thinking ahead
When it comes to health, it is important to think ahead to every eventuality. Consider these issues:

Would your chosen location suit you if your mobility was impaired or if you became disabled?
Is your accommodation accessible?
Does your destination country provide services for disabled people or sheltered accommodation?

Disclaimer
Barclays is not responsible for the accuracy or content of web sites of other providers which may have links from this website. In creating hypertext links to any other web site, Barclays is not recommending that website or giving any assurances as to its standing.

†Lines are open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, except UK bank holidays. Calls may be monitored and recorded for training and security purposes. Calls from within the UK are charged at local rate. Calls from overseas are charged at standard rate.