Where will they all go and live ???

Exactly, ellianne. The OP seems to have been forgotten. This was supposed to be about the tens of thousands of people who will have little choice but to return to the UK.

Well I don't think we have to worry. After the Judgement went against good old Boris I am more than sure that Brexit won't happen. Good news for those living abroad, for all us with people who struggle for medication and care. We will gain nothing by leaving.

growstuff it’s surprising just how many manage the journey despite how ill they are.

They could apply for citizenship in whichever country they are living in, although that may not help them all that much, as they will not be entitled to a full pension there.

In Denmark, your OAP is calculated upon how many years you have resided in this country after your 18th birthday - this applies equally to Danish citizens and others. However, if you become a Danish citizen all doctors and hospital bills, plus a third of dentist's bills will be paid by the state health care.

It must be very worrying for anyone in the situation, but they have had all the time since the referendum to think about what they can or should do. I feel heartily sorry for anyone who retired to another country, especially those with health issues that the British climate aggravates.

I think the people who voted to leave ignorantly believed it would stop all immigration. It would appear that some still hold this view! Beggars belief!

I’m not sure why people who choose to live abroad, expect the UK to still look after them and their health. They’ve moved away to have a better life, and that’s fair enough. But it’s like having your cake and eating it. ?

It is possible to apply for citizenship in whichever country they are living, grandetante but something tells me they will be made to jump through all sorts of hoops to get it. Similarly if these countries introduce a type of carte de séjour I can see those who will be a burden to society being rejected outright.

Not all Leavers are that daft Grannyrebel

Used to be involved in elderly care. For years ex pats even though saying they would never live in UK again have, at the first sign of needing health care managed to find the UK a great place. Even coming back for free eye, dental checks. They just use a relatives, friends address, some do this whilst living in a travel lodge kind of accommodation. If there is a very big expensive health issue needing treatment they rent accommodation short term. Yes, the sun, cheap lifestyle is great until money is needed for health care then all of a sudden that residency in Spain etc isn't quite so good.

If they left the UK of their own accord, it’s up to them to sort their future. If the UK was not good enough to live in, why should we be responsible for them now,

It's this kind of issue which a withdrawal deal would have negotiated, which is why one is needed. Until there is a deal, nobody can say with any certainty whether there will be a reciprocal arrangement. Until then, people are in limbo.

I haven't a clue why individuals leave the UK, but maybe it's not a question of the UK "not being good enough". Why wouldn't somebody go and live somewhere with cheaper property and better weather? Maybe they have friends and relatives abroad.

They're British - that's why we are responsible.

The lady neighbour in Malaga that I mentioned upthread visited her son in Yorkshire in July this year. She was concerned about a warty growth on her cheek. Could it be cancerous?

Her son took her to his local walk in centre. He gave his home address. She was seen by a nurse and reassured.

She returned to Spain. On arrival there was a letter waiting for her. Please photocopy your EHIC card (both sides) and send it to this department in the enclosed envelope. Or email said photograph to us at this address.

As she doesn’t ‘do’ emails I did it for her, stating this was on behalf of Mrs. ....

An email came back, thanking her for the prompt response and reassuring her that as she held an S1 certificate no charge was applicable.

I think the days of sleeping on someone’s sofa and just putting down an address at A&E or the GP surgery are dwindling. Technology is able to track individuals better and claim payments (where necessary).

That's good to hear.

The position is actually more complicated than the simple "six months" headline. There is no doubt that a "no deal" Brexit will make our lives as migrant pensioners in the EU more complicated and poor treatment of EU migrants in the UK would not help. We have already lost 20% of our income because of the decline of the pound since the Brexit vote and this is a major worry for many.
However it isn't as simple as "six months cover health cover and then you have to go back".
If a no deal Brexit happens we will become "third country nationals" of the member state in which we are resident, subject to the same rules as other non EU countries.
For those of us in France, who are living here in a "regular fashion" and paying taxes as full time residents, continued health cover will be relatively straightforward. We will enter the part of the health service known as PUMA. This may involve a small tax on any investment income, but otherwise will only involve the payment of the top-up insurance that we already pay. The health cover that we have here is excellent and I have never met anyone who chose to return to the UK for treatment.
I cannot speak for migrant pensioners in other countries, but I understand that Spain has said that that UK pensioners will have continued access to health cover.
We are all worried by what is happening, but as ever, the headlines are over-simplified, hysterical and frequently wrong.

Thank you growstuff for excellent post , and for calling them ‘returning emigrants’..... which indeed is what they are . NOT ex-pats! Why oh why do we call people coming into this country immigrants but people leaving it ‘ex-pats’ there’s discrimination for you. Nothing patriotic about these folk is there. Notice where they all head when the s••• hits the fan!

Semantics Saggi it’s just shorthand. We all know what is meant by ‘ex pats’ immediately. No offence is meant.

PC world again ....

The foreigners which will repatriate back to there home country ,which will leave a large housing stock for expats returning . We have to remember that these people turned there back on the UK to live there life in the sun . It a shame that there lifes in paradise has to come to an end , but England needs to rule its own country . Why should us in England put up with s##t , so they can continuing living there lavish lives abroad .

jennyluck You say that people who leave the UK to live abroad should not expect the UK to cover their health care. I am not entirely clued up on all the ins and outs of the EU rules but I believe that, as members of the EU, there was a reciprocal arrangement for people leaving the UK for other EU countries and for people coming to the UK from other countries to receive health care.

I think it's a bit unfair to say that those who left the UK should have been prepared to sort out their own health arrangements. Surely, the point is they were under the impression that they were covered under EU rules. How could they have predicted that everything would change?

My oh my! I've come across xenophobia directed at foreigners, but is there a word for attitudes towards British people accused of abandoning the beloved isles to live somewhere else?

Mamie I read somewhere that it does indeed depend in which country people are living and their residency status. A few people are, of course, stinking rich and will be able to afford private healthcare and others are insured by employers. Off the top of my head, I read that it's estimated about 75,000 people will be affected. They're mainly elderly and rely on reciprocal healthcare. I'm afraid I didn't really take in all the details, but I'll see if I can find the link I was reading.

growstuff I think maybe some of the attitudes are grown from jealousy!!

Ellianne: 'What did occur to me ,however, was your comment that they bought up what they thought was a "bargain" when none of the French wanted such properties. In that respect they didn't really do their homework so maybe they will just have to sell at rock bottom prices in order to get back to the UK. '

no, they did their homework very very carefully- they bought in wonderful areas where prices were low- because too far from business centres.When they very carefully did their homework- being a member of the EU, with all the reciprocal rights and agreements included- they came to 100% logical and sensible conclusions- and could not possibly envisage the UK would ever choose to Leave the EU, and without a Deal at that. How could they have ever planned for this???

Merlot - 30 Euros to pay for supplies per week, that is fine. But your friend will NOT be able to get resident permit on that basis. He will have to prove, that he has 100% health insurance coverage for all eventualities, medical conditions, pre-existing or not, and accident. Without it- he want have the right to continue to live there.

I think growstuff that if migrant pensioners in France and Spain are still entitled to cover as third country nationals that would be the majority of those affected. I think I have read that Portugal and Italy? would be ok too. I suspect that the people who will be in trouble are those who have chosen to live under the radar and nor register for taxation etc. I don't have a lot of sympathy for them tbh.
I think journalists have looked at the government statement on S1 and not considered what the stated position of the host nation is. I don't doubt that there will be difficulties for some people in some countries of the EU27, but it is complex and nuanced.
I am fascinated by the people who think that anyone who choses to work or live in another country is some kind of traitor. They presumably would have disapproved of the founders of Empire?
We live in France because we love it and the life here suits us. Our children are spread out across Europe. We still like the UK as well. ? (And I am still obliged to pay tax there as well as here, which I do willingly).

jennyluck 'I’m not sure why people who choose to live abroad, expect the UK to still look after them and their health. They’ve moved away to have a better life, and that’s fair enough. But it’s like having your cake and eating it. ?'

the S1 form allows British retirees in the EU- who have paid into the system ALL THEIR LIFE, on UK pensions in Sterling alone (no other income) to have health treatment in the EU where they currently live. That was one of the many reciprocal agreements bewtween all EU countries, for Brits retired in the EU, and EU retired in UK. Totally fair- and people had planned very carefully with that in mind.

They could not ever have planned for this to be dropped at any time. No-one could imagine the UK to choose to leave the EU WITHOUT a deal.