French citizen but UK-resident

[benguin]

Hi everyone!

 

My wife and I currently live in the UK, but I have been offered a job at Monash University (the University will sponsor us both on a 457 visa) and I have a few questions about Medicare. Apologies in advance if this has been asked before!

 

My wife is British and it is my understanding that she is therefore entitled to reciprocal healthcare in Australia. The situation is slightly different for me: I am French but have been a resident in the UK (and paid for British National Health Service) since 2001, giving me 11 years of residency here (more than a third of my life). I am wondering whether Medicare access for foreigners is therefore based on nationality or residency, and whether I will then be able to access reciprocal Medicare. *

 

I hope this makes sense. Thanks in advance for your help as this is a rather confusing issue...

 

Best,

 

benjamin

[Petals]

Best place to get the information is by visiting the Medicare site. Good luck

[lebourvellec]

I looked it to this before (my OH is French) - yes you will be eligible for Medicare as a UK resident - but you will have to take proof that you are registered to NHS - therefore NHS card/letter that states practice you are registered at. Maybe take something with recent address before you go to show you were still living in UK. Another thing you can get to take over is European Health Card http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/about-the-ehic.aspx

 

As you have been resident in UK for so long you are not entilted to French care anymore - my OH has to carry UK EHCI when go's to France.