British plans to charge expats for treatment under the free National Health Service have been slammed by New Zealand Prime Minister John Key.
The proposal is to charge anyone visiting the UK from outside the European Union with visas lasting longer than six months will have to pay a fee of between £150 and £200 a year to access medical care.
Expats already in the UK for six months or more will be expected to pay.
The fee will be applied when expats apply for visas that extend their stays in the UK to more than six months.
The new rules will apply from April 2016.
Medical tourists
Key argued that the move was part of a wider move by the British government to erode the rights of expats, including New Zealanders, in the UK.
“The price is not that expensive for expats staying in the UK for more than just a short trip, but it’s really not in keeping with the relationship between our two countries as members of The Commonwealth,” he said.
“British expats should not worry about facing similar charges if they come to New Zealand as the government has no plans to bring in any treatment charges for them.”
New Zealand offers free health care to British visitors and expats, even if they have an illness prior to entering the country.
“I understand the British government is worried about so-called medical tourists who only go to the country to take advantage of the free healthcare service,” said Key.
Special relationship
The health care surcharge has raised around £100 million in the past six months.
Tourists who have permission to enter the UK for less than six months have to pay the full cost of any medical treatment they receive.
“It’s only fair New Zealanders pay a contribution towards the cost of any healthcare they receive while staying in Britain, just like everyone else,” said a British government health spokesman.
Meanwhile, Key also commented that many New Zealanders and Australians had voiced disquiet at cut price visas offered to travellers to the UK from some countries.
“We understand that the cost of a visa in China is £85 compared to £324 in Australia and New Zealand,” he said. “Many people wanting to visit the UK have voiced their concerns that countries with special relationships with Britain are paying more than some others for the same services.”
