Even Wealthiest Expats Need Health Insurance in France

PR Web

London, UK (PRWEB UK) 31 May 2013

Pryce Warner International Group – According to the Telegraph, Legislation has been passed stating that EU nationals under the state retirement age of 60 will no longer be eligible for free healthcare in France.

There remain a few circumstances under which expats under the age of 60 can claim but they come with highly specific provisions.

For example someone that has only recently retired and that had been paying UK national insurance would be able to get free healthcare, but only for two years.

Polly Parsons, of Exclusive Healthcare, insurance providers based on the French Riviera, commented: "As long as he has paid his NI, he'll be OK for two years within the French system. Had he retired at 49 and not paid NI, purchase of private health cover would be mandatory. The French health system is very good but only covers around 70 per cent of costs, so he'd probably take out top-up insurance to cover the remainder. [after two years] At that point, he would absolutely be required to buy insurance.”

This means that all expats in France under the age of 60 must ensure they have comprehensive expat medical insurance if they do not already.

France has been a long-standing destination of choice for expats but since 2007 healthcare options have become a sore point.

Former President Nicolas Sarkozy stated that there were too many people taking advantage of France's free health service while not making any contributions to the contribution. This then led to the recent change in legislation.

David Retikin, Director of Operations at Pryce Warner International Group, commented: “We always advise all our clients when moving overseas to very carefully review the state healthcare options available to them. Many countries have fantastic healthcare systems but do not offer as easy access to expats as to nationals. This means that expats often need medical insurance to “top up” what is offered by the local system. In France this “top up” will now need to be fully comprehensive cover for expats to have complete peace of mind.”

Pryce Warner International Group have produced a free living and working abroad guide that includes further details on expat health insurance.

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/expat/healthcare/prweb10785149.htm