10286 residency requirements

I know this topic has been debated at length on this forum but I', still confused as to how to resolve our problem.
My partner and myself will be applying for italian residency within the next few weeks. I am retired, my partner will be retiring in 3 years. As I understand things, to obtain residency one must show proof of health cover. I do not want to lose my entitlement to NHS cover in the UK but the DWP tell me that that I will lose that entitlement should I apply for health insurance in Italy using the E121. It seems that an EHIC card is no longer valid for residency application. This would appear to mean that we will have to take out private health insurance to obtain residency even though we would return to the UK for any chronic, as opposed to emergency, health problems and surely the EHIC card will continue to cover us for emergency treatment?? The whole thing seems labyrinthine and mad and I would welcome any advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation. OR the name of an insurance company that would provide basic and cheap health cover sufficient to satisfy residency requirements. I need to solve the problem pretty quick to get residency in time to retain prima casa status so would really appreciate some feedback. thanks in advance.

Category
Legal

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 12:08

Its hard to advise as everyones circumstances are different, but just a thought, if you are residing in an area of Italy which has a good record of health care why would you wish to return to the UK for treatment for chronic conditions?. I understand that it is not easy when you have been used to the English NHS system and language can be a problem, but care out here can be excellent, as other members have testified.
A

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 18:41

If you are saying that you will return to the UK to live if you develop any chronic health problems, then you do not have a problem as you will get your NHS rights back again immediately you relocate back to the UK.

If you are saying that if you develop any chronic health problems you will get them treated in the UK while continuing to live in Italy, then you do have a problem. Officially, whether you activate your E121 or not, you lose your NHS rights anyway if you are out of the UK for more than six months a year (that's over pensionable age - it's three months for under).

Of course, people may not find out - but that may not be an acceptable risk.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/05/2008 - 10:51

If you are retired - ie a state pensioner over 65 -you dont need private health insurance, as you a right to healthcare in member states. If you are under state pensionable age you must have private health cover to gain residency. Allianz do health cover and if you take out 6 months basic cover it should be enough to get your residence.