Cyprus-Forum.com

[Robin Hood]

[quote="Robin Hood"

BTW: I have it from a high authority in the Cyprus civil service that the Brexit vote will have no effect on our entitlement to getting healthcare here, either way. The 'arrangement' they have is with the UK NHS and awards ALL those pensioners living in Cyprus entitlement to be treated EXACTLY the same as a Cypriot National, The EU bit is what that means in Cyprus for ALL those entitled to healthcare in Cyprus, irrespective of where they come from.

OK, and what about those of 'us' who are not retired and are working or are self-employed here in Cyprus?

It should make no difference! You are covered because, if you are working here and making contributions, you are contributing to the Cyprus social system. The UK will be paying nothing to Cyprus to provide your health cover. I have never contributed to the Cyprus social security system so normally I would not expect to benefit but, the fact that the UK have a deal with Cyprus means they pay an amount (I have no idea how much) and Cyprus accepts me as if I HAVE paid into the system. It also works the other way round. If all you get is a private pension from the UK and have not paid anything into the UK's social security fund then you miss out ..... the UK will not cover your medical care.

[Tim Drayton]

[quote="Robin Hood"

BTW: I have it from a high authority in the Cyprus civil service that the Brexit vote will have no effect on our entitlement to getting healthcare here, either way. The 'arrangement' they have is with the UK NHS and awards ALL those pensioners living in Cyprus entitlement to be treated EXACTLY the same as a Cypriot National, The EU bit is what that means in Cyprus for ALL those entitled to healthcare in Cyprus, irrespective of where they come from.

OK, and what about those of 'us' who are not retired and are working or are self-employed here in Cyprus?

It should make no difference! You are covered because, if you are working here and making contributions, you are contributing to the Cyprus social system. The UK will be paying nothing to Cyprus to provide your health cover. I have never contributed to the Cyprus social security system so normally I would not expect to benefit but, the fact that the UK have a deal with Cyprus means they pay an amount (I have no idea how much) and Cyprus accepts me as if I HAVE paid into the system. It also works the other way round. If all you get is a private pension from the UK and have not paid anything into the UK's social security fund then you miss out ..... the UK will not cover your medical care.

Brilliant! Only, if I am no longer an EU citizen, I will lose the right to be self-employed in Cyprus, anyhow.

[CBBB]

It should make no difference! You are covered because, if you are working here and making contributions, you are contributing to the Cyprus social system.

At the present time, unless Tim earns less than €15K, he is not entitled to state health care in Cyprus.

[Tim Drayton]

It should make no difference! You are covered because, if you are working here and making contributions, you are contributing to the Cyprus social system.

At the present time, unless Tim earns less than €15K, he is not entitled to state health care in Cyprus.

Another good point. Thanks for reminding me.

[Robin Hood]

[quote="Robin Hood"

BTW: I have it from a high authority in the Cyprus civil service that the Brexit vote will have no effect on our entitlement to getting healthcare here, either way. The 'arrangement' they have is with the UK NHS and awards ALL those pensioners living in Cyprus entitlement to be treated EXACTLY the same as a Cypriot National, The EU bit is what that means in Cyprus for ALL those entitled to healthcare in Cyprus, irrespective of where they come from.

OK, and what about those of 'us' who are not retired and are working or are self-employed here in Cyprus?

It should make no difference! You are covered because, if you are working here and making contributions, you are contributing to the Cyprus social system. The UK will be paying nothing to Cyprus to provide your health cover. I have never contributed to the Cyprus social security system so normally I would not expect to benefit but, the fact that the UK have a deal with Cyprus means they pay an amount (I have no idea how much) and Cyprus accepts me as if I HAVE paid into the system. It also works the other way round. If all you get is a private pension from the UK and have not paid anything into the UK's social security fund then you miss out ..... the UK will not cover your medical care.

Brilliant! Only, if I am no longer an EU citizen, I will lose the right to be self-employed in Cyprus, anyhow.

I can't comment on that aspect as I don't know anything about employment requirements, but to think you will be out-of-work just because you are no longer an EU citizen I would somehow doubt. There may well be some changes though?

The Cyprus medical system has nothing to do with you being an EU citizen, it is to do with entitlement! That is the point I was bogged down on but a very nice and intelligent lady at the Ministry took the trouble to explain it to me. The agreement is between CYPRUS and the UK, it has nothing to do with the EU and existed before Cyprus was even in the EU but the UK was. Whist you are here and working you come under the Cypriot social security medical entitlement. What applies to a Cypriot National applies to you as a contributor and to THEIR rules, which are laid down by EU Directives for medical treatment.

I don't and never have contributed and the only reason I get it, is because of this inter-governmental arrangement. You working and me being retired but we both benefit according to the rules of the Cypriot system ..... not the EU. The EU simply tells governments how they should operate their systems to comply with EU directives.

At the present time, unless Tim earns less than €15K, he is not entitled to state health care in Cyprus

Again, I can't comment, I don't know what determines that restriction. I know Cypriots who earn a lot more than that but still use the State Hospitals and the village doctor. I also know ex-pats whose pension is way above that level that also benefit from using the Govt. Medical Services.

CBBB: I would be interested to know where that restriction comes from.

[Tim Drayton]

My right as a British citizen to be self-employed in Cyprus is an instance of the right of free movement of EU citizens within the EU, and is thus dependent on the UK being an EU member state. There is a simple litmus test for this. Were British citizens entitled to set up small businesses in Cyprus before Cyprus acceded to the EU? Run that one past your 'high authority in the Cyprus civil service' if you like.

[Tim Drayton]

.... The agreement is between CYPRUS and the UK, it has nothing to do with the EU and existed before Cyprus was even in the EU but the UK was. ...

No, I'm sorry, but that's plain wrong. My parents retired to Cyprus in 1990 and were not covered by the local health service until Cyprus acceded to the EU. In fact, I think in those days there was a requirement to have private medical insurance (which is not particularly cheap) in order to get a residence permit.

[Robin Hood]

.... The agreement is between CYPRUS and the UK, it has nothing to do with the EU and existed before Cyprus was even in the EU but the UK was. ...

No, I'm sorry, but that's plain wrong. My parents retired to Cyprus in 1990 and were not covered by the local health service until Cyprus acceded to the EU. In fact, I think in those days there was a requirement to have private medical insurance (which is not particularly cheap) in order to get a residence permit.

If that is so, then I am wrong and I apologise. Were your parents on a UK State pension or just retired, as I was from 2001 until my UK pension came through in late 2006? I didn't have access to the Cypriot medical system until then either. When we came here to reside permanently in Cyprus we did have private Medical Insurance as I was not receiving a pension,

It was possible to work but certain occupations were restricted. But you could start a business ..... one problem was that you needed a Cypriot partner. Lots of disaster stories associated with that ruling.

[Robin Hood]

TD:

Run that one past your 'high authority in the Cyprus civil service' if you like.

A rather snide remark coming from you? I think someone who can pick up the phone and speak directly to the Permanent Secretary on first name terms .......... is someone I would regard in ‘high authority’, wouldn’t you?

[kurupetos]

[quote="Robin Hood"

BTW: I have it from a high authority in the Cyprus civil service that the Brexit vote will have no effect on our entitlement to getting healthcare here, either way. The 'arrangement' they have is with the UK NHS and awards ALL those pensioners living in Cyprus entitlement to be treated EXACTLY the same as a Cypriot National, The EU bit is what that means in Cyprus for ALL those entitled to healthcare in Cyprus, irrespective of where they come from.

OK, and what about those of 'us' who are not retired and are working or are self-employed here in Cyprus?

It should make no difference! You are covered because, if you are working here and making contributions, you are contributing to the Cyprus social system. The UK will be paying nothing to Cyprus to provide your health cover. I have never contributed to the Cyprus social security system so normally I would not expect to benefit but, the fact that the UK have a deal with Cyprus means they pay an amount (I have no idea how much) and Cyprus accepts me as if I HAVE paid into the system. It also works the other way round. If all you get is a private pension from the UK and have not paid anything into the UK's social security fund then you miss out ..... the UK will not cover your medical care.

Brilliant! Only, if I am no longer an EU citizen, I will lose the right to be self-employed in Cyprus, anyhow.

Are you interested for a job in the department of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda?