for Expats in the EU who voted remain, to be relly upset and angry at neighbours and 'friends' who have voted to leave?

"We are totally dependent on UK pensions."
As we are, and all other pensioners in the UK.
We can't be sure that our automatic annual increase will continue post Brexit. Some say they can't do that, it's against the law! But when needs, must. Look at the postponing of OAP age limit. Macron trying to do the same in France.
Or for my LG pension which depends on foreign investments which could easily dry up.
All these things beyond our control so make the best of it and stop panicking.

Jura, as you lived in the UK for many years, surely you could buy insurance from the UK? I don’t know, maybe the cost is too high.
I have dipped in and out of the thread so not read it all.
It sounds as if you have a very good life style in Switzerland. You say you moved there to take care of elderly parents, but you are British, so you have the option to base yourself here again now your parents are no longer alive. You will be entitled to receive NHS care as you lived here and paid tax here.

growstuff- we are definittely allowed to use the NHS in the UK- as we are not EU citizens, but Brits with UK pensions.
A totally different story.

So if we fly to UK- we will be covered- but if we drive over, we won't for the duration of the journey. I suppose we could put the dog down, so we can fly. But as we saved her 2 years ago from being put down by owners for very selfish reasons- I just could not.

Witzend many people have taken citizenship.
It doesn't have anything to do with what is being discussed here, which is about people who have moved to another EU country after retirement and the impact of Brexit on their pensions and their health cover.
FWIW we speak the language fluently, have very little contact with other people from the UK and are very much a part of our local community. We are not French and have enjoyed the right to live here as EU members, shortly to become third country nationals.
My French friends have no problem understanding this concept at all. They would still be French wherever they lived.

Well if we could buy holiday insurance- I can assure you we would- but it does not exist. And no, not quite - but in practice... how can we travel without cover, except REGA frôr repatriation in some cases (only if they are not happy re the treatment given where you are and it is deemed necessary for health reasons).

maddyone Eligibilit for NHS is based on residency, which means that people living abroad aren't always entitled to free NHS care, even if they pay UK tax. People from abroad aren't entitled to most NHS care either. After this week, EU citizens will have to pay a not insignificant amount of money for the NHS. My understanding is that people working in the NHS won't have to pay, but others, including teachers, will.

Witzend, I took British nationality in 73- OH took Swiss nationality 6 years ago. So both dual nationals- it makes no difference whatsoever to the situation we now have. We are totally dependent on UK pensions.

But shall we accept that we can no longer drive to UK to stay at our holiday place or see GCs. Give up our trips to Italy. Never go and visit sil and bil in Portugal, or drive through to Austria, or ...?

No, but (like other people) you have to decide what you are willing to pay for.
You are not exactly being sequestered behind an Iron Curtain or the Berlin Wall.

Seems I have dyslexia too this morning Callistemon.

I’m going for a lie-down.
??

maddyone- we have exchanged our UK licences for Swiss ones- as per the Law- so driving is not the issue. Personal insurance is - if we have a crash on the way, even if totally innocent and faultless- we would not be covered for healthcare post Dec 2020. We always drive as we have a dog that cannot be left.

For info- I have changed licence twice, In 1970, pre EU, I had to retake my driving licence in full, practical and oral (by side of the road- in English) - as this was the Rules then. I had taken my Swiss licence the year before.

Incidentally, in reply to the OP, yes it is unreasonable.

Yes in our case, it has been a combination of Swiss Franc going up concurrently with Sterling going down- so about 50% loss of income

maddyone - I would love to buy travel insurance, as we always used to from the UK. You obviously have not been following the thread- you can't buy a product which does not exist where you live- as clearly explained. Until Dec. 2020 we will be covered by EHIC, and REGA, Swiss helicopter rescue- which would repatriate us if necessary. Then - we won't be covered in EU at all apart from REGA, and so far- no insurance available here for that purpose. So can you call us foolish- if we were previously covered, but no longer will soon- with no alternative to buy into. A bit unfair, no?

Of course we we go shopping locally in France, or when we go walking, xcountry skiing, etc- a few km from the border- we will just take that chance, and ask friend to pick me up, or ambulance to take me to border ... of course. But shall we accept that we can no longer drive to UK to stay at our holiday place or see GCs. Give up our trips to Italy. Never go and visit sil and bil in Portugal, or drive through to Austria, or ...?

We are in discussion with our insurers who are being great, but the British Embassy in Bern has not got a clue. And neither has the State insurance staff. Probably, as said, we are just a handful finding ourselves in that situation. All the retiree expats I know here have been working here for years, and are not affected.

I must rush out and buy a copy to wave at the judge as proof!

Ha thank you Castillmon that’s reassured me somewhat. You can be my first witness for the Defence!

As for driving abroad then people simply have to obtain the correct paperwork. Years ago, when travelling to Europe we had to obtain a ‘Green Card.’ Remember that? I do. It wasn’t a problem. If some people decide to live abroad, then they need to satisfy the legal requirements of that country in order to drive there. It’s not rocket science!

If people actively choose to go and live in another country long-term, presumably because they prefer it, I don’t understand why they don’t take citizenship, assuming that they’re able to. It’s not as if Brits can’t have dual nationality - I know someone with 3 perfectly legal foreign passports.
Though I dare say it may often be a case of not wanting or bothering to learn the language well enough.

A Swedish friend who lived here for many years took out UK nationality when she thought it might be needed later.

Anyone from abroad who is working and paying tax in the UK is entitled to NHS care. Anyone at all, whatever nationality, is entitled to free NHS emergency care. The rest are free loaders, we buy insurance in order to travel in other countries, so should visitors to the UK.

✔️✔️✔️✔️

Seriously, are there people on here who actually go abroad to Europe and don’t buy travel insurance? How foolish!

Callistemon

The Tower awaits Urmston ?

It happened, it's happening. Move on !
As far as driving licenses - I think that if you intend to be resident in any overseas country for any length of time, that you should have to have that country's own driving license after 6 months anyway.
Different countries have different rules from driving on a different side of the road to who gets priority at roundabouts, turning off the highway etc . Recent events like the death of a young man and subsequent reports of near misses, have highlighted that the lack of knowledge of local road regulations can have horrendous results.

Good sense from Maw, and Chestnut’s post at 16.50 yesterday (Sunday.)
Very little in life lasts forever, change is a fact of life.

Surely they would want the publicity?

At this very moment Gransnetters might be saying 'oh, that was interesting, must put the FT on my shopping list!'

Oh goodness that disclaimer didn’t show when I clicked on the image! I hope I’m not in trouble.

I agree MawB. As I said upthread I am far more worried about the impact of Brexit on the economy of the UK and our grandchildren's future. We will manage and will continue to enjoy living in the country of our choice.
Nevertheless, I do have a lot of sympathy for my fellow UK migrants, especially those in difficult circumstances. It is hard to convey the cumulative effect of the uncertainty under which we have been living for the past four years.