Private health insurance needed to become a resident - my experience

no, you can get a provisional RHA to apply for for your residence card, and then get a full RHA once you've got your residence card :-)

ie from the earlier post

"N.B.: Applicants who are not in a position to supply a copy of their residence certificate/permit with the application may still apply however they will be only given a provisional cover. "

The RHA is fine....we've had no issues with it in 6 years...

you can apply for the e-res card. they can give you a note to say you are applying or have started the process and then go to the entitlement unit apply for the RHA with note and passport and then take their note back to e-res and voila...job done

Excellent!  That's what we'll do.  Thanks a lot.

Thank-you so much for your help.  The link to the ministry of health page, which you had kindly copied and pasted, took me straight to the entitlement unit form which I have downloaded and printed.  I now understand the provisional bit!

YOU ARE WELCOME

Hi

Sorry everyone am new to this! My husband and I wish to move to Malta. We are both British. Can someone please clarify:
Is healthcare free to us being british citizens? Under the reciprocal agreement? Do we need to contribute anything to this by way of taxes or something? We are both under 50, just! And we only intend to work part time as we are wanting to escape the mad rat race we currently live in.
It surprises me if access to the health care there would be completely free!
Thanks in advance for any advice
Purdy

if you are working you wont get any healthcare for free  - even under the RHA the Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement for brits.. the stipulation is that you are NOT working and are NOT on state pension for this...

plus there is a downside to the RHA if you have this you wouldnt be entitled to an EHIC either.. and your current one issued by the UK wouldnt be usable as you no longer would be resident in the UK... and unless you pay SSC in Malta you wouldnt be able to get a ehic issued by Malta

So do you mean that the reciprocal health agreement is only for those that are pensioners or not working?
We only wish to work part time and so want to know if we need to contribute any money in order to get healthcare access- fir example does this come out of the taxes NI contributions something?

See this link for details regarding RHA- UK- MALTA.....

https://ehealth.gov.mt/HealthPortal/chi … ltauk.aspx


Terry

Purdy wrote:

So do you mean that the reciprocal health agreement is only for those that are pensioners or not working?
We only wish to work part time and so want to know if we need to contribute any money in order to get healthcare access- fir example does this come out of the taxes NI contributions something?

well  not quite if you are UK state pensioned you would transfer your healthcare rights...

but if you work you pay SSC.... social security contributions

if you dont work and not in state pension you can get the RHA - renewable every 2 yrs

'if you dont work and not in state pension you cant get the RHA - renewable every 2 yrs'

Hi Toon
Did you mean can or can't? Get the RHC if we don't work and not in state pension?im confused though because it's seems that the RHC is pointless to have because I would get acces to healthcare if I work and contribute via my work contributions right?
A number of people have said I should private healthcare insurance anyway! But wondering why bother if I get stare care?
Ahhh sorry and confused.

Purdy wrote:

'if you dont work and not in state pension you cant get the RHA - renewable every 2 yrs'

Hi Toon
Did you mean can or can't? Get the RHC if we don't work and not in state pension?im confused though because it's seems that the RHC is pointless to have because I would get acces to healthcare if I work and contribute via my work contributions right?
A number of people have said I should private healthcare insurance anyway! But wondering why bother if I get stare care?
Ahhh sorry and confused.

sorry  - edited

i meant can....

if you work even part time you will get government healthcare through your SSC contributions... assuming its declared and paid - check to make sure the contributions are being made - I know a couple whos contribtutions were being taken off .. but never paid in to the system .. same goes for pensions contributions

Private healthcare is not essential but an extra over - and depending on treatment required could be quicker than via state healthcare

we were lucky never needed it while there for 6 yrs....and the RHA was adequate for us

Many thanks Toon, very helpful. And thanks to Terry for the website link, much appreciated.
BW Purdy x

all the clues are there as they say in thru tut key ole ... keith lemon stylee

sadly the " the free healthcare " tag gets bandied about because many who relocate to live permanently in Malta and other countries too including Cyprus, still use their EHIC card illegally for healthcare - they dont register and pass themselves off as tourists ....... and thats the sort of thing that the EU and its members need to catch up with and enforce the rules.... and start charging...when a charge is applicable - a difficult one to monitor and control.... never mindd enforce.

Toon wrote:

sadly the " the free healthcare " tag gets bandied about because many who relocate to live permanently in Malta and other countries too including Cyprus, still use their EHIC card illegally for healthcare - they dont register and pass themselves off as tourists .......

Bluddy freeloading parasites.

georgeingozo:

"Do our EHIC cards qualify us for "entitlement"" - no, they are only for tourists

Interrestering!! And for how long can you be a tourist???
If you come from a EU country

it a very interesting question as there is a BIG question mark over it as an EU national choosing to live in another EU state could be regarded as not being a tourist from day one.... freedom of movement and all that jazz..

but usually the first three months the EHIC could cover you - but saying that - you do need to apply for residency withing 3months if its your intention to stay permanently, but be aware that once you have applied - you are declaring yourself resident in that country and the EHIC ceases to be valid...

but to be honest and am not condoning it (far from it) people are still using their EHCs despite unregistered living permanently in Malta

Long story short: If here for over 90 days and not working then EHIC is not valid and should not be used.

I think it also depends upon your status of residency in the country that issued the EHIC.
This is more about which country's authority pays for the treatment.

Treatment on Malta is usually free anyway, (unless one elects for private treatment or see below*) except that one pays for medication, unless treatment is related to a 'yellow card' condition or initially issued upon discharge from hospital.

Once resident on Malta, one's UK issued EHIC is no longer valid and should not be used.
According to the NHS site........'Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will enable you to access state-provided healthcare in Malta if you go there on holiday or on a business trip.'
That then excludes anyone not either a tourist or business visitor.

Also see this: http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcare … ction.aspx

If resident on Malta and from the UK then persons issued with the RHA Entitlement Card will be entitled for free healthcare services in local public healthcare institutions on an in-patient and out-patient basis as well as other specialist services provided for Maltese nationals.
RHA Entitlement Card holders will not be entitled for:

1. treatment abroad including the UK
2. the European Health Insurance Card
3. long-term care and other things and services provided for under the Social Security Act and other legislation.

RHA Entitlement Card holders will not be entitled for the entitlement to Schedule V card otherwise known as the 'yellow card' which permits the holder access to free medication for some chronic conditions.

Alternatively and only if a UK citizen receiving UK State Pension you can present an S1 Certificate obtainable from DWP, Overseas Healthcare Team, Durham House, Washington, Tyne & Wear NE38 7SF UK.
Telephone 0191 2181999.
This will entitle the person full access to all medical treatment and Schedule V 'yellow card' for free medication for some chronic conditions.

So, NB: if holding entitlement under RHA then one is not entitled to a 'yellow card'.

If resident and travelling from Malta then Travel insurance should be taken out and used because, as far as I am aware and if not working, Malta will not issue an EHIC to a non Maltese National and the UK issued EHIC is not valid if one is a resident of Malta.

* If required entitlement forms are not presented, or in the case of non-EU citizens, you would be required to pay the bills in full before leaving the hospital or clinic. You would be able to pay cash or with a credit card.

So, my advice is play by the rules. If not a tourist or business visitor and here for longer than 90 days ensure you have an entitlement card, issued as part of the requirement of the eResidence process  If you don't then you will be liable to pay or be committing fraud.

What I find interesting is that some complain about others misusing systems, yet seem willing to do the same themselves, elsewhere.

So, NB: if holding entitlement under RHA then one is not entitled to a 'yellow card'.

NOT ENTITLED TO AN EHIC EITHER

As I have said before health treatment accessed with the EHIC  in a foreign EU country is not free ! The costs for the treatment are passed back to the issuer of the EHIC card . There are arrangements in place so that the service providers get their EHIC bills paid - even in those cases where the card presenter was not actually entitled to use the card.

EHIC 's are always backed by a payer - either a state financed health care system like the UK or through private health insurance ( for example in Germany). So ,although the cards are issued for several years ,they are actually only backed and valid as long as the 'original' health insurance premium is being paid or , in the case of the UK, the entitlement through residency in the UK actually still exists.

Whether or not the issuer of the card who is billed will try and get the money back for illegal use of an invalid card is a different question. So in the end all those covering the costs of the health systems ,whether state -run or private, will shoulder the bill for those using the cards that without entitlement.

Cheers
Ricky

Happy New Year to all. This is a big topic for us, We are planning to move to Gozo this April and apply for OR. My wife is claiming a UK state pension I am not, i will be 61, I have paid 43 years  NAT.INS.contributions to UK.GOV, I have no intention to find employment.( Both hold British passports,) Are we correct in assuming we will have health cover under RHA. Yours Hopefully Eddiepie.

your wife will get it under the pension side of things (others will guide you with the right forms and actions to complete) - you will have to apply for the RHA

Cheers Toon.  I might be covered under dependent rule, will be checking all with over seas healthcare team nearer moving time.Thank You. Eddiepie.

good luck

Toon wrote:

So, NB: if holding entitlement under RHA then one is not entitled to a 'yellow card'.

NOT ENTITLED TO AN EHIC EITHER

Yes, I included that Toon 

RHA Entitlement Card holders will not be entitled for:
1. treatment abroad including the UK
2. the European Health Insurance Card
3. long-term care and other things and services provided for under the Social Security Act and other legislation.

eddipie, have you read this? Should tell you all you need to know.

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=370643

redmik wrote:

Alternatively and only if a UK citizen receiving UK State Pension you can present an S1 Certificate obtainable from DWP, Overseas Healthcare Team, Durham House, Washington, Tyne & Wear NE38 7SF UK.
Telephone 0191 2181999.
This will entitle the person full access to all medical treatment and Schedule V 'yellow card' for free medication for some chronic conditions.

So, NB: if holding entitlement under RHA then one is not entitled to a 'yellow card'.

If resident and travelling from Malta then Travel insurance should be taken out and used because, as far as I am aware and if not working, Malta will not issue an EHIC to a non Maltese National and the UK issued EHIC is not valid if one is a resident of Malta..

If you are a UK pensioner who has an 'Entitlement certificate' for health cover in Malta by using the S1 form from the UK, then the UK will issue an EHIC card to you which covers you  for Europe, excluding Malta, but including the UK, once they have received the S1 paperwork back from the the Maltese authorities. This is stated in the information that comes with your S1 form and my wife and I both have them.

Ray

F0xgl0ve wrote:

If you are a UK pensioner who has an 'Entitlement certificate' for health cover in Malta by using the S1 form from the UK, then the UK will issue an EHIC card to you which covers you  for Europe, excluding Malta, but including the UK, once they have received the S1 paperwork back from the the Maltese authorities. This is stated in the information that comes with your S1 form and my wife and I both have them.

Ray

Thanks for that, very useful.

Thank You for very helpful information, Eddiepie.

Tx for a rapid answer(s)! And by the way: Happy New Year to all!!!

Ok, the blue EU card (EHIC) is valued for 3 month. If you are a tourist.

Next: How many times can you go abroad, as a tourist, for a period of max 3 month, within a period of 12 month???

Next: Can you stay away from your home country for say 5 month and go to 2 or more countrys. Not staying in one country for more than max 3 mount.

I do understand if this is complicated!!!

Hi Nostres,

the important question is where is your country of residence!

As long as you are visiting countries that are not your home country and not exceeding the maximum stay of 3 months in any one country you can use your EHIC  as long as it is valid.

Registering for residency or starting to work obviously makes your EHIC invalid. In Germany , for example, you have to sign a form when using the card declaring your length of stay and that you did not enter the country with the aim of being treated.

Knowing the reality of the Maltese system you can probably get along with the EHIC as long as you do not apply for residency. Other European countries are stricter!

It is up to you to know and declare that you are using the card inline with the regulations.

Cheers
Ricky

Is it best to go to Valletta first to apply for the e-residency or to the hospital/entitlement office for the health ins card? I plan to apply under form A / employment but don't have a potential employer yet. As I understand from reading through this thread, I will need proof of private ins/coverage from home country until I get a job and start paying social security? Thanks!

Hi Fiona,

after looking back through your posting history the only thing clear to me is that you are from Canada and that you have relatives in Malta.

As you do not have a job and you will need a work permit unless you have an EU passport things might not be that easy.

If you have private health insurance coverage that covers you in Malta you can use that to register or apply for residency. Under which status do you intend to apply without a job ?

A few more details would make it easier. If you hold an EU passport things will be easier.

Cheers
Ricky

Yeah, I have a British passport and entered Malta with that. I'm still covered by BC (provincial) health care but don't have the paperwork with me- at least not official forms. Thanks for your help!

Hi Fiona,

if you really are still covered by your Canadian health insurance you do not qualify for the reciprocal health care agreement for British passport holders. You will have to lie access the entitlement as it only covers British passport holders without health insurance coverage.

So you either lie and go get the entitlement certificate or get yourself a private health insurance.

With a British passport you just register yourself resident and have 6 months to find a job.

Cheers
Ricky

just to let you all know...I got an appointment letter today for an ultrasound. the attached form "information for Non-Maltese citizens" says

"if you are a British citizen" documents required "Passport or any ID that shows you are British"

I access health care regularly and not once have I been asked to produce the RHC card I have

Maybe because you have an eResidence card? You had to prove entitlement to get that so they know.
Perhaps also because your hospital file number will be the same.