Leaving Germany

[TheGabster]

Yes, the time has finally come - we are repatriating v. soon. Any tips greatly received - particular what to do about betting back into the NHS system, and what problems we may have ahead (with tips of how to avoid them of course).

TheGabster, I think all you have to do is registre with a GP and you get back into the NHS system....I am sure that was all I did when I originally came to england.

What a coincidence! I've just been trying to find out the same info for myself but couldn't. I found a newspaper article (The Telegraph from Jan 2004) which said that the UK government was cracking down on giving non-emergency treatment to ex-pats but there was an assurance from the Health Minister of the time (John Reid) that British citizens would be eligible for free NHS treatment once they have returned home for good (and are paying tax again). The question is how do you prove it if someone decides to not to take your word for it??
Also how does it work for children? Mine won't be paying taxes for at least 13 years...!

I found the Kingston hospital website which says that they check to make sure you are eligible.

As you are coming back from the EU, you might have an easier time of it than me (non-EU Europe). I lost my entitlement after just 3 months away from the UK. whereas you only need to be home for six months in any twelve to be considered a UK resident again.

Please write back on here and let me know how you get on.

Do you have school age children too? What are you going to do about integrating them into the UK system??

Once UK resident it isn't a problem signing on with a gp and accessing NHS services ime . You might struggle to find an NHS dentist though as many have closed their lists and funding has changed in past few years. The local Primary Care Trust holds a list of those available. There has been a clamp down on expats coming back temporarily to access free services though, like other travel tourism.

We moved back in May 08 after 5.5 years in Austria. Had no problem registering with GP, just had to show proof of residence i.e. a council tax or utility bill. My main problem has been the culture shock , just about adjusting after 10 months!
Are you bringing a car back? You can drive on foreign plates for 6 months before you need to re register with DVLA. The process is a bit of a pain (tedious more than difficult).
My other problem has been trying to find ways to maintain DS's German.
Just fire away with other questions

oh and as long as you registered any births abroad with the relevant British Embassy you will find they are already "in the system" and probably have ni and nhs numbers allocated.

Quinne - feel free to lurk! No school age children but Ernest has, and will be returning next year. Sure she will be along soon.

LIZS - thank for the info - think dentists were just the same before I left!!

verylapsedrunner - we are selling our DE car and have just bought a UK one, which DH is driving back this weekend, so that bit at least is OK. We will be bringing back a DE caravan though - could be fun then. DS is just coming up for 1yr so don't think he will really have any German to maintain, but was thinking of trying to find some kind of club as would like to keep mine up (and maybe keep bombarding him too).

Still bit unclear though - how do I officially become "UK resident" again - as was not planning to work/pay tax straight away (SAHM) although obviously, DH will.

Just officially being (ie with address, bank account, bills etc) here is deemed resident. I was a sahm for a couple of years when we returned from CH and encountered no issues. You need to notify tax office for Child Benefit etc

As LIZS said just being here (bank, council tax, tax return etc) means you are "resident". Child Benefit seals it as well.