• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Moving Abroad in Feb 09

D

dizzy64

Newbie
Messages
4
Hi there,

I am moving to Zante, Greece at the end of Feb 09 - I am diabetic type 1 and also have Mild MS - basically I have been given a bit of advise on obtaining Diabetic medication over there and wondered it this is correct.

I have been told to go to the nearest IKA office with my passport and they will issue me with a booklet that I have to take each time I see a doctor for a prescription, I have been advised that I will have to pay 25% of the cost of the prescription - does this mean the cost of prescribing this for me or the cost of the drugs?

Would you advise me to get further medical insurance ?

Regards
 
Dizzy,
You should check out what to do with the Greek Embassy.

If you will be working then there are no problems (so just ignore the rest of the post)

EU laws have changed recently. A quick look at the IKA website suggests... though I'm not certain that Greece may have similar requirements to most of the rest of Europe

If not working and going to live in most other EU countries you normally need an E form for access to health care
E106 (for someone who has paid NI,this lasts for up to 2 years) or E 121 ( if you are a pensionner or receive incapacity benefit)
Otherwise you have to be legally resident for 5 years to be entitled to the same health care rights as a citizen of that country.
 
Oh dizzy, how lovely for you to be able to move to Zante, I know that there are quite a few expats out there so you will be able to get lots of info from them when you get there.
I suggest you contact the Greek Embassy, probably email is best for further information also
http://www.expats.org.uk/ see if they can answer your questions?

You could also email your questions to:

Hellenic Diabetes Association
9, Meandrou Street
11528 Athens
Greece
Tel +30-210-7210935
Fax +30-210-7210935
E-mail [email protected]
Website http://www.ede.gr

Hellenic Diabetes Federation
3rd Septembriou street 90
Athens
104 34 Athens
Greece
Tel +30-210-8233954
Fax +30-210-8217444
E-mail [email protected]
Website http://www.elodi.gr

Obviously try to get as much info before you leave the UK so that you are not totally lost when you arrive there.

All the best

Karen
 
Hi I am new to this forum

I have a similar question:

My girlfriend is a type 1 d. and we might have to move to Germany due to my job. Here in the UK the medication is free of cost. How will this change if we move abroad, and who could we contact regarding the matter.

Thanks

John
 
Again you need to contact the appropriate Embassy you should also contact the Department for Work and Pensions (address on the website linked below)
In general if you are working then you will be covered by the healthcare system (paid through your contributions). The regulations are a bit different if you will be away for less than a year.http://www.dwp.gov.uk/international/sa29/insurance_02.asp
Many countries in Europe allow partners to count as dependants. If this is the case in Germany (you'd have to check) then she would be probably be covered by your contributions.

Otherwise, or in addition, If your girlfriend has been working and paying NI, but will not be working in Germany, then she can obtain an E106 http://www.dwp.gov.uk/international/sa29/medical_06.asp
application form here http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/cnr/osc.htm
This will give her coverage in the same way as someone included in the German scheme but will only last for 'up to 2 years' (it seems to depend on the time of year you apply ).
After that, until shes been there for 5 years, (and becomes entititled to the same benfits as a citizen of the country in the same position) the country may allow entry to their system but they don't have to under EU law,and countries are becoming less generous. Private insurance can fill the gap but this is almost impossible to get if you have type 1.

A general guide Your rights when moving within the European Union is available if you search for social security here http://bookshop.eu.int/eubookshop/index.action?request_locale=EN
I also found thishttp://www.howtogermany.com/pages/healthinsurance.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Back
Top