Retirees told to look at healthcare-100708

People who are planning to spend to their retirement overseas have been urged to take their access to medical care into account.

According to Shelter Offshore, a number of European countries are looking at preventing expats who have retired early from accessing free healthcare.

Therefore, the website has recommended that anyone who is thinking of retiring abroad take out health insurance.

However, it added that the European Union is currently considering proposals to allow EU residents access to free medical care in all member states.

This would be paid for by either their home medical insurer or their government.
Shelter Offshore commented: "Experts expect the plans to become law and actionable by 2010.

"For those would-be expats thinking about retiring [abroad], it bodes well."

The website added that in the meantime, people should still make sure they aware of their chosen destination's specific healthcare requirements.

According to the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), more than three million pensioners will be living abroad by 2050.

IPPR researcher Jill Rutter recently told the Guardian that growing prosperity has fuelled migration from the UK in recent years.