Ehic

[malagabob]

What's the position for British travelers to Europe in the coming future. Will we all have to pay for basic medical treatment if we become ill have an accident on holiday.

[jim360]

For the next two years (and possibly another three months), no change. After that, no idea.

[Prudie]

That's what travel insurance is for plus it depends what is negotiated with individual countries when we finally leave in 2 years. The EHIC still covers you until then.

[fiction-factory]

May take longer- does the 2 year notice period start now or after Cameron's replacement sets things off?

[jim360]

Really it *should* start now, but we'll probably have to wait a few more weeks or months.

There was a satirical article published prior to the referendum about cats voting to leave and then hanging around staring at the open door for ages. Incredibly, this is what's actually happening currently.

[malagabob]

Yes Prudie. Travel insurance is going to rocket.

[Jennykenny]

Do you think there will be a clause/exception in travel insurance for those who hold an EU passport? (I have dual Irish/British nationality.)

[Hymie]

In around 2 years time, besides personal travel insurance covering Europe, airlines will no longer be bound by the compensation scheme for delays, and mobile phone companies will be rubbing their hands with glee as they can charge whatever roaming fees they like to UK based customers.

I’m old enough to remember when UK vehicle insurance did not cover you anywhere outside the UK – car insurance companies will be rubbing their hands with glee.

As time goes by, more and more companies will realise there is a reason the UK is called ‘Treasure Island’, unfettered by regulation from Brussels which prevent them from ripping off Joe Public.

[237SJ]

"Airlines will no longer be bound by the compensation scheme" There is absolutely no evidence to substantiate that at the moment. I can`t see that situation changing TBH

[Hymie]

Why would an airline pay compensation demanded by the EU, to persons in a country not in the EU?

[Buenchico]

The EHIC applies across the whole of the European Economic Area, not just to the EU.

Nobody knows, for certain, whether the outcome of the 'leave' negotiations will result in the UK remaining in the EEA or outside it.

If the UK remains in the EEA then the EHIC will still be available to UK citizens. (However we'll then be in position similar to Norway, which is in the EEA but outside the EU, where we still have to abide by nearly all EU rules but don't get to vote on any of them!).

If the UK ends up outside the EEA then the EHIC will no longer be available to UK citizens (and we'll lose the ability to trade freely with the rest of Europe, meaning that many big manufacturing companies - such as Japanese car plants - will close their UK operations and relocate them within the EEA/EU).

[237SJ]

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/countryguide/NonEEAcountries/Pages/Non-EEAcountries.aspx

[Buenchico]

>>> airlines will no longer be bound by the compensation scheme for delays

Some will, some won't.

The compensation rules apply to all airlines based in the EU and to any airlines flying to or from an airport within the EU. So flights operated by Ryanair (based in Ireland) will always be covered, as will flights to and from the UK to any other EU country.

However long-haul flights originating or terminating within the UK will no longer be covered by the rules (unless, unusually, they're operated by an airline based within the EU) or flights to and from Israel, Turkey, Morocco, etc (again, unless they're operated by EU-based carriers).