Can returning ex pats use the NHS?

[Putthatbookdown]

My friends are returning to the Uk after 30 years abroad They will not get a State pension of course but someone said they cannot use the NHS they hold gb passports

i think they can - they have to have an address though.

I'm not certain about that but I fairly sure

Anyone can use the nhs

Well, that's not strictly true -it depends on length of residency but expats can be treated if they've returned to live in the UK permanently. You can't just pop back for free treatment.

If they have a NI number , and address then I believe they can use the NHS. I use it when I am in the UK and I am a resident abroad. I had to pay for a vaccination ( holiday) but when I was pg not a penny. ( and before anybody whinges I paid NHS contributions in the past....)

Information here

I have used it. I was out of England for 12 years.

Of course they can use the NHS! We came back from living abroad, and it was extremely easy to get registered with a Dr again. Only DD1 already had an NHS number, but it was no problem to get one for the other 3, just fill out a simple card at the Dr's surgery and some days later updated NHS cards came in the post. They probably already have NHS numbers, so that makes it super simple, even if they don't, they won't have any problems.

What Grockle says about being a permanent resident in the UK is correct. Please tell them not to worry.

You can use the NHS as long as you are a UK resident, so basically the UK is the country where you live.

So, your friends can use it, but say I decide to come home to visit my parents for 6 weeks, then I cant, as although I'm a GB passport holder I'm not a UK resident

I should add I am resident in an EU country that has an agreement with the UK so I can use it as a temporary resident.......however if you retun to reside then you will not have any problems.