Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Government will extend the commitment to reimburse EU Member States for the cost of providing healthcare to UK nationals in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal and until the UK has secured a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the respective member state which provides for the reimbursement of costs.

The United Kingdom Government has proposed to European Union Member States that, in a no-deal scenario, we should maintain the existing healthcare arrangements until 31 December 2020, with the aim of minimising disruption to UK nationals’ and EU citizens’ healthcare provision. This is subject to negotiations, which are ongoing. For UK nationals that live in EU Member States, the UK cannot unilaterally guarantee the continuation of current arrangements, as this depends on decisions by Member States.

Individuals are always responsible for ensuring they have sufficient healthcare insurance. Anyone who is living, working or studying in EU Member States should check the country specific guidance on GOV.UK and NHS.UK for updates.

The UK Government has committed to fund healthcare for UK nationals (and others for whom the UK is responsible) who have applied for, or are undergoing, treatments in the EU prior to and on exit day, for up to one year, to protect the most vulnerable.