can you be too old to return to uk?

[hellsbells4]

my mum is english (still has a british passport and a national insurance number). She has lived in Australia for 61 years, and would ideally like to return to uk to live - where she has more family. She is financially independent. Does anyone know if this might be possible?

She's a UK citizen so should be as straight forward as just coming home iykwim. I know somebody who lived in America for 45years and came back to the UK at the age of 79! As far as I know he just packed up and came back although he is financially independent as well so not sure of the position if they need to claim pension/benefits, etc.

she should be able to arrange to have her Australian pension paid out to her and I cannot see any reason why she could not go back. Are you thinking specifically of the NHS and whether she can access it?

If she doesn't need a visa to visit the UK - you said she's a British citizen - she can live in the UK without problems. Not sure abiut access to benefits & the NHS though.

I think if she is a UK citizen she is entitled to access some health and social care. It will be on the Department of Health website somewhere but can't find it at the mo.

This one might help though www.heathrowtravelcare.co.uk/index.php/general-advice-for-british-nationals-returning-to-the-uk-from-abroad/

thanks for these replies. She is actually 95!!!!which seems somewhat old to be repatriating BUT if anyone is capable of making this momentous move then it is my mum. We need to do loads of research on NHS and pensions etc. My sister in aus will make enquiries at the British consulate in Canberra.
Has anyone heard of someone repatriating at that age?????

Blimey! In which case I'd say the NHS is definitely your sticking point. You do have to be deemed ordinarily resident in teh UK, but I'm not sure whether moving over intending to be there permanently is enough, or whether you have to have been in the UK for a period of time beforehand...?

yeh - blimey!! She worked in Uk from 1930 to 1950, then went on hol to Aus in 1951 and stayed there (married, worked, children, then retired). Dad died last year, and she wants to come back to uk. She still has 2 sisters (out of 11 originally) in UK (one turned 100 last month!), and I've lived and worked here for 30 years - so we could 'sponsor' her, but she probably has sufficient funds to be independant. It IS an unusual scenario isn't it??

I don't think there's a minimum amount of time you have to have been in the UK to access NHS services - I think it's just if you can honestly say that you are intending to permanently stay. I'm not sure how you can prove it - I guess utility bills etc.

This document Moving to and Returningfrom overseas seems to give some useful; advice, especially on page 34.

good lord!
fair play to her though.
hope it all works out well for her x

there is a 'moving back to the uk' forum on here where there is a thread currently running on 'over 50s' returning to the uk. i haven't read it, but they usually offer some sound advice. the mbttuk board is generally a bit down in the mouth as there are a fair amount of people who have failed to settle wherever they have ended up, but the forum itself is great.

I wish to return because my wife(seperated) and have not seen her for years.Sheer luck.She has a problem with her brain,something like Bi-Polar.She turned all but one of the children against me and is making life living hell. After much thought, I decided to look at returning back home. I only came out here to give them a decent life.They now have whanted for them.England always was,and is my home.I'm hoping all goes well.There is nothing here for me.

I understand one must not go home without any money. Is there a specific minimum required.

Many old people do, move back to the UK when they require NHS/Adult social care support.

I think its a bit cheeky, to take your money somewhere else then come back to access our free care. But, its legal.

Zombie thread