Is My Fiancee Entilteld To Free Health Care In The Uk?

[hotandhumid]

We are spending a few weeks in the UK this summer. God forbid, but if she has an accidemt or is sick, is she entiled to free NHS treatment? If not, would she be on a settlement visa, and do we have to be married?

Thanks.

[RAZZELL]

With a V/V no free treatment. Fiance/settlement visa yes.

Here is the link:

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Entitlementsandcharges/OverseasVisitors/Browsable/DH_074377

Crystal clear in the first paragraph:

Under the current Regulations anyone who comes to the UK to take up permanent residence is fully exempt from charges for National Health Service (NHS) hospital treatment in England. A person who has been given leave to enter the UK by the Home Office to marry or become the civil partner of someone who is ordinarily resident here may be regarded as taking up permanent residence, and therefore exempt from charges for NHS hospital treatment.

RAZZ

[hotandhumid]

Thanks RAZZ.

So yes on a settlement visa but no on a tourist visa.

Have to decide now if to take out insurance for her on the holiday.

[RAZZELL]

Thanks RAZZ.

So yes on a settlement visa but no on a tourist visa.

Have to decide now if to take out insurance for her on the holiday.

My gf (now wife) visited last sumer for 3 months and we got travel insurance.

Well worth it - from memory it was pretty cheap.

RAZZ

[kunash]

Thanks RAZZ.

So yes on a settlement visa but no on a tourist visa.

Have to decide now if to take out insurance for her on the holiday.

My gf (now wife) visited last sumer for 3 months and we got travel insurance.

Well worth it - from memory it was pretty cheap.

RAZZ

same for my girlfriend on her tourist visa - she got travel insurance - very easy to get and cheap

[bobrussell]

She would be entitled to very minimal emergency treatment (including some outpatients procedures) but most will be chargeable. Not worth taking the risk.

Any unpaid charges will be logged and will come back to bite you on the bum later if you try to get a settlement visa for your fiancee/wife. Computers have long memories!

My wife (gf then) used the local nurse run walk in clinic a couple of times and was not charged but we did have insurance if it was needed.

[Bukseeda]

You should also be aware that if you've been out of the UK for a long period of time, YOU may not qualify for free health care either.

[hotandhumid]

Try again....

Returning to the UK after a period of time living away?

If you go anywhere abroad for more than three months, either for a one-off extended holiday for a few months or to live permanently for several years, but then return to the UK to take up permanent residence here again, then you will be entitled to receive free NHS hospital treatment from the day you return. So will your spouse, civil partner and children (under the age of 16, or 19 if in further education) if they are also living with you permanently in the UK again.

[Bukseeda]

Try again....

Returning to the UK after a period of time living away?

If you go anywhere abroad for more than three months, either for a one-off extended holiday for a few months or to live permanently for several years, but then return to the UK to take up permanent residence here again, then you will be entitled to receive free NHS hospital treatment from the day you return. So will your spouse, civil partner and children (under the age of 16, or 19 if in further education) if they are also living with you permanently in the UK again.

In other words, only IF you are returning to take up permanent residence but NOT for a holiday.

My doctor pointed out to me (now I'm back in UK) that I should have had insurance every time I came back for a visit.

[hotandhumid]

Buk - yes, I know that now. That has already been covered in the thread.