Before you leave
Personal Medical Insurance
Personal medical insurance may be offered by your employer, but check what is covered. An extra private cover may be necessary or advisable and it is important to ensure repatriation is included in the event of serious illness or injury.
The UK has reciprocal agreements with a number of countries for the provision of urgently needed medical treatment. This may be provided either at a reduced cost or in some cases free. In order to obtain treatment, you will normally have to produce your passport or some proof of UK residence, together with a valid Form E111. However, requirements vary between countries - details can be found in Health advice for Travellers, together with Form E111. This booklet is also available free of charge from Post Offices, GP surgeries, or by phoning the Health Literature Line on 0800 555 777 at any time.
However, if you are going to live or work in one of the reciprocal agreement countries these arrangements may not apply. Write to:
Inland
Revenue
National Insurance Contributions Office
International Services
Longbenton
Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE98 1ZZ
T: 06451 54811
or
in Northern Ireland:
Inland Revenue (National Insurance Contributions),
International Services,
24 - 42 Corporation Street,
Belfast BT1 3DP
T: 028 9054 3289
