Brexit – Clarification Information for BRA Members from Information & Support Co-ordinator on Recent Issues

Brexit – clarification information for BRA members from Information and Support Coordinator on recent issues. 

 Healthcare for holders of an S1 (formerly known as an E121) –  as a resident of Malta, are you receiving State healthcare in the Maltese Islands on the basis of holding a Certificate of Entitlement issued by the Entitlement Unit in Malta?    This S1 will have been issued to you  from the UK Pension Service if you were a UK State Pensioner resident in Malta when Malta went into the EU in 2004 or any time thereafter based on your residency in Malta or, in some limited cases, where you were eligible to be covered as you received certain benefits from the UK to enable you to obtain the Certificate of Entitlement.       This means that the UK is responsible for covering your healthcare costs whilst living in Malta, when visiting the UK during which time you have the need for healthcare assistance and also, by issuing you with an EHIC from the UK, covering the expenses you may incur whilst visiting another EU country (excluding Malta).

As an S1(E121) beneficiary you may have already received or will soon receive  a letter from the NHS Business Authority (dated 23 September 2019) covering your healthcare after Brexit.    The letter specifically states that the expected level of care at that time is detailed on www.gov.uk/uk-nationals-living-eu and then by clicking on the country specific details = Living in Malta,  as this could vary within the EU countries.   If you cannot access this information, perhaps a neighbour or friend could help you to view the specific parts that deal with healthcare arrangements beyond Brexit.

Action you need to take as soon as you can –

1. Contact the Overseas Pension Service on 44 00 191 218 1999 to obtain a copy of your S1(E121) so that you can present this if you need medical treatment at a National Health facility in the UK.
2. When you reach this number, there are a variety of messages and number options to press.    Go through all these and, despite the message on option 5, press this and explain that you need the copy.  There can be a wait for this option to be answered.
3. The adviser will then ask you for your National Insurance Number and to confirm your address. You may also be asked when your pension started but they should be able to work that out (if you are a UK State Pensioner)  if you give them your date of birth!
4. They may also say you do not have an S1 but an E121. Push through this since that is a technicality and we understand that both documents are accepted by the NHS in UK.
5. If you are the dependant of someone who has died you should mention this since the original record of type of document issued to you will be based on the details of the deceased.
6. If you do not succeed to satisfy them and they do not provide you with an alternative contact, your option is to call the BHC in Malta on 2323000, press 2 for English and 5 for Consular Assistance. If they cannot help you, they will refer your difficulty to their back-office (offshore) Contact Centre where there are advisers dealing with Brexit issues continually.   The Consular Assistance service is available between 9-3pm.

Travelling  –   it is advisable now to get into the habit of  carrying  your eResidence card with you when travelling. If you are having your card changed for any reasons, carry the receipt you are given.   UK citizens will cease to be EU citizens when Brexit happens and there could be occasions when they are asked to prove they hold residency documents for Malta.       Please remember that the eResidence card cannot be used in lieu of a passport for travel.

Mavis Barrett – 25 September 2019

This information is based on data published on Government of UK websites as of 23 September 2019.  The Association cannot be held responsible for any errors, omissions  and changes that may occur as the Brexit negotiations continue but the Council feels it might be helpful to give clarity to some recent events bearing in mind that we are aware that some of our members are not able to access on-line information.