Paphos Life

Hudswell wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 11:22 pm 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.

darrow wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 11:57 pm 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.

Hudswell wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 9:17 am

Jim B wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 7:15 am

Hudswell wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 11:22 pm 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?

Hudswell wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 9:43 am 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.

Hudswell wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 10:48 am

WHL wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 9:54 am

Hudswell wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 9:43 am 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.

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.

trevnhil wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 5:33 pm But I believe that for the first time this year, everyone has the register for tax even those pensioners under the allowance.