British nationals who have retired to EU countries including Spain and France will no longer have their healthcare covered by the NHS in the event of no Brexit deal, the government has said.
The confirmation will come as a blow to around 190,000 British citizens retired in the EU in places such as the Spanish Costas, Provence in France and Tuscany in Italy.
It could also add to the burden on the NHS if pensioners believe they have no option but to return to the UK for treatment. The government has previously admitted it is cheaper to pay Spain and France to look after British nationals than have them fly home.
Currently pensioners can get treatment reimbursed by the NHS under an EU-wide set of reciprocal arrangements. » | Lisa O'Carroll, Brexit correspondent | Tuesday, January 29, 2019
