Government commits to funding healthcare for over 180,000 UK nationals living in the EU for 6 months following Brexit if we leave without a deal.

EU residents whose healthcare is currently funded by the UK, including pensioners and students, will have their healthcare costs covered for six months if the UK leaves the EU without a deal. The government has proposed to each EU member state that, in the event of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit, existing healthcare arrangements continue until 31 December 2020 in the same way that they do now.

Discussions are ongoing but if arrangements with all member states have not been finalised by 31 October, Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed the government will provide support to around 180,000 UK nationals living in the EU who currently have their healthcare costs paid for by the UK for a 6-month period following exit day. This includes pensioners, students, those on disability benefits and UK workers temporarily posted in the EU.