Is S1 redundant ?

[darrow]

Don't forget it is not just the 1.7%. There are still presciption charges,, specialist fees, tests to be paid for. However you can choose your own Dr from the list and your hospital of choice.

[Jim B]

And Cypriots will get free care in the UK, that’s why it is called reciprocal...so has the UK declined to continue to subsidise UK expat pensioners? Somehow I don’t think so or have the Cypriot Authorities just not made it clear to expats? Or perhaps hoping to cash in from both Sides? Claiming from expat residents and the Uk government. And no need to wind my neck in...just debating...if the Cypriot Government are now charging fees to UK expats then I would expect the UK government to charge Cypriot expats in the UK, that’s how it works.

I would hazard a guess that not that many Cypriots retire to the UK and those Cypriot who do live there have in general worked and contributed to the UK National Insurance scheme so are entitled to claim for medical treatment.

Jim

[jeba]

Don't forget it is not just the 1.7%. There are still presciption charges,, specialist fees, tests to be paid for. However you can choose your own Dr from the list and your hospital of choice.

Will it have an EHIC function so you can use it in other EU countries as well?

[WHL]

And Cypriots will get free care in the UK, that’s why it is called reciprocal...so has the UK declined to continue to subsidise UK expat pensioners? Somehow I don’t think so or have the Cypriot Authorities just not made it clear to expats? Or perhaps hoping to cash in from both Sides? Claiming from expat residents and the Uk government. And no need to wind my neck in...just debating...if the Cypriot Government are now charging fees to UK expats then I would expect the UK government to charge Cypriot expats in the UK, that’s how it works.

I would hazard a guess that not that many Cypriots retire to the UK and those Cypriot who do live there have in general worked and contributed to the UK National Insurance scheme so are entitled to claim for medical treatment.

Jim

You are probably right Jim but reciprocal agreements existed long before Cyprus joined the EU and exist between our two countries now, it is the principle that is pertinent here. I am just finding it difficult to believe that with the introduction of GESY the UK will stop providing funding in support of health to state retired UK Expats, and that actually the issue hasn’t been addressed properly. For some €500 (along with additional charges for treatment) is a significant amount of money out of their budgets, and could, along with other rising charges cause significant inconvenience ir indeed hardship. A lot of state pensioners are below the Tax Threshold, tax being the means the “levy” is collected, and probably are not registered on the system, they now need to be, and I haven’t seen much evidence of the Cypriot authorities encouraging those that need to toe register. Is there a potential here for health cover to be “removed” from those that haven’t registered?

The Cypriot Authorities tell everyone coming to live in Cyprus, what they need to do, Register/healthcare etc etc, Cyprus doesn't need to encourage as you like to spin it,Some have been here for years, without registering, not paying taxes etc etc, I personally hope they get hammered, why should the rest of us pay taxes etc, while they boast to their mates down the pub, about cheating the system? no sympathy at all, do the crime pay the price, simple

[WHL]

Again you just jump in with both feet don’t you? Many State aged retired UK Expats have been here for years, not registered on the tax system because they have been told they don’t need to be because their income is below, well below the tax threshold, and they were told this by the Tax Offices...I believe that has now changed and everyone should now register in order to pay the GESY levy, although I have seen little encouragement by the authorities to do so. The question is will that Levy and it’s associated charges be met by the UK NHS in regard to retired UK star pensioners...has that question even been asked by GESY? Again RTFQ before you leap in on your high horse.

You know exactly what I was referring too.

[chatsworth]

Perhaps the High Comissioner can throw some light on it. These charges are as of the 1st March so accruing daily and one can only suppose that they will be back dated so it really needs speedy clarification or pensioners could end up with hefty bills which no doubt will have to be paid before receiving on going State health care.
The UK authorities must be aware of the situation, especially since it is a UK NHS consultant who has been heavily involved in the planning and implimentation.

[WHL]

Again you just jump in with both feet don’t you? Many State aged retired UK Expats have been here for years, not registered on the tax system because they have been told they don’t need to be because their income is below, well below the tax threshold, and they were told this by the Tax Offices...I believe that has now changed and everyone should now register in order to pay the GESY levy, although I have seen little encouragement by the authorities to do so. The question is will that Levy and it’s associated charges be met by the UK NHS in regard to retired UK star pensioners...has that question even been asked by GESY? Again RTFQ before you leap in on your high horse.

You know exactly what I was referring too.

RTFQ before leaping in with both feet, instead of trying to take the Moral High ground without actually knowing in what context you are talking about. This is not about tax evaders, it is about people who have been told that they didn’t need to register...and now do. Read, Think, Type..it May save you the embarrassment of being made to look silly.

I think you wrote the book on being made to look silly, Cheers

[galexinda]

Already a topic of discussion among fellow UK state pensioners, who as Hudswell says were informed that they need not register for Cyprus tax as they are below the personal tax threshold. Healthcare is a major issue, particularly when getting older and there are some people here that are seriously considering returning to the UK if they have to contribute. There are many pensioners who moved to Cyprus 20+ years ago and several do not have modern day pension funds.

[trevnhil]

But I believe that for the first time this year, everyone has the register for tax even those pensioners under the allowance.

[Tuppence]

I posted on the 14th:

According to the GHS regulations, all Cyprus tax residents who receive a pension or any income from the Republic of Cyprus or abroad are obliged to pay a contribution of 1,70% on their pension/income for the 1st phase of the GHS (1st March 2019) and 2,65% for the 2nd phase (1st March 2020). Kindly note that as a UK resident in Cyprus, you will have to pay the contribution directly to the Tax Department through self-assessment. For more information regarding whether the UK Government will defray the costs, you will have to contact the responsible department of your Government.

Yesterday I received the following reply from the British High Commission:

Thank you for your enquiry of 14/03/2019.

Apologies for the delay in responding to you. We are engaging with the authorities in Cyprus for clarifications. As soon as we have these clarifications, we will be in touch.

Regards
Rebecca M.
Consular Contact Centre

[galexinda]

But I believe that for the first time this year, everyone has the register for tax even those pensioners under the allowance.

The current year will be the last year when it will not be mandatory for a Cypriot tax resident under the tax-free annual income limit of €19500 to file a tax return.

From 2019 everyone will be required to submit a tax declaration.

https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/new ... -of-income

[chatsworth]

That doesn't sound too promising to me. I would have thought that if the UK was picking up the tab for some 12,000 S1 holders then a consultation would have been already held and a decision made prior to the scheme coming in to effect or is it diplomatic speak for " We haven't a clue and didn't bother to ask when the Gesy details were published some time ago".

[tonee]

Nice one tuppence,keep us informed if you get a reply.Nobody seems sure whats going to happen.