Brexit has brought about significant changes for UK expats in Europe, including alterations in their access to healthcare services when residing or traveling within European countries.

Formerly, UK citizens could take advantage of reciprocal healthcare agreements with the EU that allowed access to healthcare services similar to the NHS in Europe.

However, post-Brexit, this has evolved, necessitating a reconsideration of healthcare options for UK expats. In this blog post, we have simplified the information around changes in healthcare access and outlined the three key points for UK citizens seeking medical care abroad.

Key Changes in Healthcare Access

1. End of NHS Equivalent Access

With the UK’s exit from the EU, UK citizens no longer have direct access to the equivalent of the NHS when in European countries. This includes a shift in access to routine healthcare services, specialist care, hospital treatments, and emergency care.

2. S1 Forms and Reciprocal Agreements

The S1 form, previously utilized for accessing healthcare in EU countries, is affected. While UK citizens could access healthcare in EU nations using S1 forms before Brexit, these arrangements have either changed or been terminated. UK nationals residing in European countries such as Spain, France, Portugal, Cyprus, Italy or Greece before 1st January 2021 can continue using their S1 forms for accesss. New residents will need to arrange health cover privately. 

3. Requirement for Health Insurance

Private health insurance becomes a crucial option to bridge the gap left by the cessation of reciprocal healthcare agreements. Aside from the reassurance of accessing private healthcare on the continent, securing European visas require proof of medical insurance. HealthCare International Group specialises in covering UK expats living in Europe and our medical policies are designed to meet international visa requirements. 

This blog is a little different as it tells the story of Peter, the nomadic street artist who has painted his way around the world. HCI Group customers come from all walks of life; we provide private medical insurance to expats, seafarers, digital nomads, pilots and anyone else who travels the globe including artists. There are many reasons people choose an international lifestyle, and Peter’s was to follow his creative dream. 

“Greetings, fellow art enthusiasts and wanderers of the world! I am Peter, an artist driven by the beauty of both art and travel. My canvas is the world itself, and my brushstrokes are the stories I share as I travel across continents, painting my way through life.

My journey as an artist began long before I ever set foot on foreign soil. Art has always been my soul’s language, a means to express my emotions, dreams, and experiences. It was the desire to break free from the traditional art gallery scene and share my creations with the world that drove me to embark on a unique adventure.

As the sun dipped below the Sunderland skyline, illuminating the historic docks with hues of grey, I realised that my artistic calling extended beyond the confines of northern England. The world, with all its diverse landscapes and cultures, beckoned me to tell its story through my artwork.

With a heart brimming with passion and a suitcase filled with paints, brushes, and a few cherished canvases, I waved goodbye to my family and friends and took the plunge into the world of a nomadic artist. My first canvas was the bustling streets of Amsterdam, a city rich in artistic inspiration and appreciation. Setting up my easel at a quaint corner, I painted the iconic canals and tulip-lined pathways, inviting locals and tourists alike to witness my artistic vision.

The experience was exhilarating. Engaging with people, hearing their interpretations of my art, and sharing stories from different corners of the globe made me realize the power of art in uniting us all. It was then that I knew my artistic journey had found its true calling.

From the lively markets of Berlin to the romantic bridges of Paris, I dipped my toe in the nomadic lifestyle by exploring Europe, each place leaving its unique imprint on my canvas. I learned to adapt my art to the pulse of each city, infusing the essence of its culture into my work. Whether it was the vibrant chaos of Naples or the serene landscapes Madeira, I let the scenery guide my creativity.

The call of the wild has always fascinated me, and so I found myself drawn to the lush jungles of South America. My mission was to observe and paint the magnificent animals that call this place home. The experience was awe-inspiring; the colors of the flora and fauna were like a palette of nature’s own design.

From the elegant movements of the jaguar to the playful antics of the monkeys, I strived to capture their essence on canvas. Each brushstroke was an attempt to encapsulate the raw beauty and mystery of the jungle. The vibrant greens, the earthy browns, and the flashes of vivid colors became the heartbeat of my artwork.

After my adventures in the jungle, I set my sights on Japan—a land where tradition and modernity coexist in harmony. I was particularly captivated by the grace and elegance of Japanese women wearing kimonos. The intricacy of the patterns, the delicate silk, and the way the kimonos gracefully adorned the women made for a captivating subject.

In bustling cities and tranquil villages, I found inspiration in the contrast between the modern urban landscape and the serene traditional scenes. The duality of Japan was reflected in my art—a fusion of contemporary techniques and traditional motifs, blending old and new in a harmonious dance of strokes and shades.

My journey from Sunderland to Europe, the jungle and then to Japan has been transformative, both as an artist and as an individual. It has reinforced my belief that art transcends boundaries, and through it, we can appreciate the beauty that lies within every corner of our planet.

As I continue my travels, I carry with me the lessons learned from the jungle and Japan—a deep respect for nature, an appreciation for diverse cultures, and a dedication to capturing the essence of our world through my art.”

You can follow Peter’s artistic adventures on Instagram. 

Planning your own overseas adventure? Get an instant, no obligation quote for international private medical insurance.

If you are comparing annual premiums from international healthcare providers, you are likely to be pleasantly surprised with our HCI Group policies.

We offer very similar health cover to all major health insurers, but often our annual premiums are significantly lower.

Haw can we offer the same, excellent private healthcare using the same private hospital networks for a cheaper price?

Lower overhead costs
We may be small but we are mighty! We are a Small/Medium Enterprise (SME) with a passionate and dedicated team of employees. We have low administrative expenses and a skilled in-house team. These reduced overhead costs allow us to offer more competitive premiums to our customers.

Niche expat and seafarer focus
We specialise in international private medical insurance for those living abroad or at sea. Many providers do not specialise like we do so by focusing our efforts on a niche market we developed our expertise and tailored our insurance products accordingly, reducing premiums in the process.

Simple organisational structure
Larger agents often have complex organisational structures with multiple layers of management and bureaucracy. This can lead to higher administrative costs, which may be passed on to customers in the form of higher premiums. In contrast, we strive to keep our structure simple enabling streamlined operations and keeping premiums down.

Personalised service
We prioritise providing a personalised service to our customers. We focus on building strong relationships, understanding individual needs, and offering tailored coverage options. Nothing is more adaptable than our NIMBL Health plan, which is tailored to the specific needs of each policyholder. This customer-centric approach may result in lower premiums as we can better match the insurance cover to the specific needs of each customer.

Flexibility and agility
We have a great relationship with our insurance carrier MGEN. We can respond quickly to market changes, adjust our underwriting criteria, and negotiate quickly and efficiently. This flexibility enables us to find cost-effective solutions and pass these savings on to our customers in the form of lower premiums.

Reduced marketing and advertising expenses
Instead of allocating significant resource to marketing and advertising, we rely on our excellent reputation, our partnership with A Place in the Sun, word-of-mouth referrals and our skilled in-house team. These savings are another contributing factor to our premiums being so reasonable.

It’s important to note that all of the above factors can influence premium rates, but the actual premiums charged by an insurance agency will depend on the area of cover and the age and medical history of each policyholder.

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If you haven’t lived abroad before, adjusting to a new language, climate and culture can be challenging emotionally.

Those who re-locate for work can sometimes experience culture shock and loneliness during the first six to twelve months away, due to being isolated from family, friends and familiar surroundings.

Often ignored though are challenges faced by those who follow their partner to another city or country, whilst they’re on assignment.

In fact, moving abroad can affect the partners of assignment workers even more. The most common reason for an overseas work assignment failing and ending early is an inability to successfully integrate the trailing partner or family. The reason for this can be that they don’t have a job of their own to keep them occupied throughout the week or they find it harder to look after their children in a foreign environment.

It’s common for a trailing partners to feel a loss of control and identity following a move, which can lead to low mood and confidence. Consequently, this can cause them to reject making a new support network or trying to settle in their new home. These issues can be worsened if the partner struggles to find a new job role for a long period.

Supporting your partner

There are a number of ways you can support a trailing partner.

Firstly, it’s important to acknowledge that any person living in a new country goes through the same adaptation process, starting with excitement and ending with adjustment and acceptance. It’s natural during the in-between stage to feel withdrawn and low after the initial excitement phase has worn off. Your partner needs to acknowledge that how they feel is normal and trust that it will pass.

Trailing partners can also reach out to local expat communities to make friends that are in the same situations as themselves. Often expat communities have regular meet ups to socialise and make new friends, or share local tips and advice. Expat communities online are a good place to start, as you can find upcoming events, classes and resources on different parts of the world. These networks are also a great way of learning how to engage with your local community generally.

It can also be useful for you to introduce your partner to any new work colleagues. This will allow you to build a stronger relationship with your work friends, while also expanding your local network as a couple. If you work as a team in socialising and introducing each other to those that both of you meet separately, your network will grow faster and stronger.

Another way to support your partner can be to encourage them to embrace new experiences. Whether it be travelling and exploring your new country together, trying to pick up the local language or volunteering in the local community. Make opportunities to meet locals and sample different elements of the culture and you’ll both feel more settled in no time.

Lastly, if your partner is severely struggling to adapt to your new home, you could consider getting outside help. Counsellors and professional therapists can provide you and your partner with guidance and strategies to help you both navigate through the adaptation process as quickly and smoothly as possible. It’s worth checking to see whether your company offers an Expat or Employee Assistance Programme to staff, as you might be able to get help through that as well.

Enjoying the ride

Having your partner leave behind their friends, family and home to join you abroad is a huge gesture and shouldn’t be taken for granted. Your work is clearly important to you, but it’s also vital that you try to keep a work-life balance, so you and your spouse can make the most of your time away.

Whether you’re working for six months on assignment or have moved indefinitely, you and your partner will get out of the experience what you put in. While it might not feel like it during the adaptation period, once you’ve both settled in your new country and helped each other to overcome any emotional challenges, you could find that you prefer it in your new country that back home.