Many people still believe that they can rely on reciprocal arrangements between the country of residence and their adopted country, but if you’re not working (and paying into a government scheme) there’s every chance that you don’t have any protection at all. In your country of nationality there is most likely a requirement of residency to allow treatment to be received in a public health facility (as there is in the UK).

This was recently highlighted by the French government, who recently decided that any new people moving to their country must prove that they are financially prepared so not to be a burden on the State which now includes proving that appropriate healthcare insurance is in place. Similar rules apply in much of Europe.

Purchasing appropriate cover that looks after you in your adopted country and your country of nationality (plus the rest of the world, if available) is paramount for anybody considering moving abroad, even if it’s a basic In-patient/Day-patient policy with evacuation, such as Expatriate Healthcare’s Primary plan http://www.expatriatehealthcare.com.

If you go abroad and ‘go commando’ you are putting the dream of a long relaxed life with financial security in jeopardy.