Arranging Healthcare Abroad
Words ROBIN CHRISTIE, Kevan Johnson
South Africa
State healthcare
You’ll be required to pay for any state healthcare that you receive – how much depends on your income. The maximum is around £34 per day, excluding medicine and operating theatre costs.
Red tape
The South African social welfare system makes no provisions for immigrants. So you’ll need to get insured – or pay up.
Insurance
South Africa doesn’t have an NHS equivalent and public hospitals are overstretched, so getting hold of private medical cover is a matter of necessity.
Standards
Public hospitals tend to be well-staffed and equipped, although overcrowded and with long waiting lists for specialist treatment. Private healthcare is good, and favourable exchange rates have led many Brits to head here for private operations.
Bulgaria
State healthcare
A reciprocal agreement means Brits can receive free emergency care. If you contribute to social security (NOI) in Bulgaria, you and your family will be entitled to free or subsidised treatment.
Red tape
You must present your passport and NHS card to benefit. Expats who have a residence permit, and pay NOI of around £5 per month, will receive free GP treatment and referrals and reduced-price medicines.
Insurance
The UK Department of Health recommends that all Brits visiting or moving to Bulgaria purchase comprehensive medical insurance, as state care is limited.
Standards
Medical staff are well-trained, but facilities aren’t yet quite up to Western European standards. However, Bulgaria’s private healthcare has a good reputation.
Greece
State healthcare
If you’re living in Greece and making social security payments, you and your family can get subsidised medical and dental care from the IKA (Greece’s NHS).
Red tape
You’ll need to get hold of a medical booklet (iatrico vivliario) from your local IKA office, and will need to present this to your doctor each time you visit
Insurance
Many Brits take out additional insurance to pay for the portion of bills not covered by social security. If you won’t be making social security payments, ensure you get comprehensive medical cover.
Standards
The standard of medical training and hospital hygiene is good. But there can be queues and long waiting lists for treatment in public hospitals, so you would be well-advised to get private health insurance.
Dubai
State healthcare
Brits who live and work in Dubai are entitled to state medical care, but must obtain a medical card on arrival.
Red tape
To get a medical card, you’ll need to fill in an application form (available from clinics and the Ministry of Health) and send it to the Ministry of Health with two passport photos, two photocopies of your passport, a letter of employment and a fee of £40.
Insurance
While expats are entitled to state healthcare, Dubai’s government has been encouraging businesses to provide private cover for its employees to lighten the load.
Standards
Dubai has a high standard of public and private healthcare, but it’s sometimes necessary to seek treatment outside the country for specialist treatment.
Portugal
State healthcare
Brits and their families are entitled to free or subsidised healthcare from the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS) if they make social security contributions or receive a state pension from the UK.
Red tape
Take your ID, social security card and residence permit to your local health centre to register with the SNS. You will get an SNS card and be assigned a GP.
Insurance
If you’re ineligible for state healthcare, you should purchase medical insurance; you may be asked to present your policy to the authorities before they will issue you with a residence permit.
Standards
The standard of public healthcare is generally good, but long waiting lists mean that getting hold of private medical insurance is advisable.
