Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether UK citizens resident in an EU country after the UK leaves the EU will be required to apply for a European Health Insurance Card to the UK or to their country of residence.

We have reached an agreement with the European Union on reciprocal healthcare arrangements for United Kingdom nationals covered by the scope of the Withdrawal Agreement.

This means that anyone in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement, and who is entitled to a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), will continue to benefit from that scheme for as long as their cross-border situation continues. This includes tourists for the duration of their stay, students for the duration of their course, and UK nationals resident in another Member State, such as pensioners.

Reciprocal healthcare rights for individuals not in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement will be a matter for further negotiation with the EU. As set out in the UK’s policy paper on Citizens’ Rights, published in June last year, the UK wants to secure continuation of EHIC rights for current and future UK EHIC holders, subject to a reciprocal deal.

At every step of the negotiations we will work to ensure the best possible outcome for the British people.