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<p>The Government has made clear in a ‘no deal’ scenario, the rights of European Union
citizens, including Spanish and Portuguese citizens, in the United Kingdom on exit
day will be protected. This includes being able to access National Health Service
care without charge on the basis that they are ordinarily resident in the UK, and
the NHS will apply the same eligibility tests as it does now. It should be noted that
EU citizens already living in the UK on exit day have up until 31 December 2020 to
apply for Settled Status, but their access to healthcare will remain the same regardless
of whether they apply for Settled Status before then.</p><p>The Government has proposed
to all EU Member States that when we leave, we should maintain the existing healthcare
arrangements including the European Healthcare Insurance Card (EHIC) Scheme until
31 December 2020, with the aim of minimising disruption to healthcare provision for
UK nationals and EU citizens. This is subject to agreement by individual EU Member
States.</p><p>For those Spanish and Portuguese citizens visiting the UK after exit
day, if agreed under bilateral agreements with Spain and Portugal, visitors will be
able to use their EHIC as they do now. Should individual countries not agree to continue
reciprocal healthcare, then access to healthcare cover for visitors from those countries
may change.</p><p>Visitors from Spain or Portugal to the UK whose visit begins before
and continues over exit day will still be able to use their EHIC during that visit,
should they fall ill or have a medical emergency.</p><p>We welcome action from EU
Member States such as Spain and Portugal who have prepared their own legislation for
a ‘no deal’ scenario.</p>
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