NHS Reclaims £29 Million From Europe on Treatment Costs But Pays Out £1 Billion Anyway

The government is not managing to recover an amount that could reach several million pounds annually from European nations for treating their residents here. NHS The Mail on Sunday has uncovered.

Last year, the Department of Health and Social Care billed European countries only £29.5 million to cover the costs of treating their residents in British hospitals.

Nevertheless, during the same period, the cost to the UK for treating British pensioners and vacationers receiving medical care in European hospitals amounted to almost £1 billion.

Some critics argue that this situation raises worries about the government permitting the NHS to be 'exploited' by Europe regarding healthcare expenses.

As European countries charge the government for services rendered to British nationals using hospital bills, sources from the Ministry of Defence have revealed that UK officials generate charges for these nations based on 'estimated' expenses incurred by the National Health Service (NHS) in treating their citizens.

Activists claim that the actual number is probably much greater.

Even as the NHS struggles to secure the most advantageous terms for taxpayers, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to announce a £30 billion increase in funding for the healthcare sector, potentially at the cost of reducing support for the police and local authorities.

These disclosures follow an announcement made in April by the Ministry of Health stating that English hospitals had waived £256.4 million in debts owed by international tourists for National Health Service treatments.

Alp Mehmet, the chairperson of Migration Watch UK, stated: "The issue stems from our complete incapability to track how non-British citizens utilize the National Health Service, a disgraceful neglect in securing payments owed, and an overly trusting approach towards dealings with the European Union which has frequently exploited us."

Conservative Party lawmaker Joe Robertson, who serves on the Health and Social Care Select Committee, remarked: "It defies comprehension that the National Health Service does not keep track of the expenses related to healthcare provided to individuals from abroad."

Our NHS is meant to be more than just a subsidized healthcare system for the rest of Europe, yet clearly, that’s where we're headed.

The 'reciprocal agreement' for healthcare in Europe ensures that all residents within the European Economic Area (EEA) can have certain health care costs covered by their home country when they are traveling outside their own nation.

Although European healthcare systems, typically requiring payment up front, excel at recording these specifics, the NHS falls short—hence the reliance on approximate figures.

The statistics obtained through a Freedom of Information request by the MoS indicate that during 2023/24, the NHS charged Spain £6.7 million while paying approximately £441 million in return.

A sum of €240 million was directed to Ireland and €203 million to France, whereas the NHS only charged back €19 million and €12 million respectively.

Germany was granted £10.9 million and has since repaid £3.5 million to the UK.

Additionally, each year sees a higher number of British tourists visiting Europe (63 million) compared to the number of Europeans traveling to the UK (26 million).

However, the difference between what the UK contributes and what it receives as reimbursements has increased over the past ten years.

In 2014/15, the UK reclaimed £49.7 million from Europe, whereas in 2023/24, this amount decreased to £20.2 million less, representing a 40 percent decline.

Moreover, the charges for British citizens receiving treatment overseas surged by 40 percent, increasing from £674.4 million in 2014/15 to £948.9 million in the previous year.

Mr. Robertson mentioned that he had addressed a letter to the Public Accounts Committee to examine this matter and 'push the government into action.'

A spokesperson for the Department of Health stated that the UK levies fees on European Union countries whenever their residents utilize the National Health Service (NHS) under an agreement that guarantees British citizens can receive medical care when they visit Europe.

Read more

Share :