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

The government is not managing to recover what could potentially total several million pounds annually from European nations for treating their residents. 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 treatment costs for their residents in British hospitals.

Nevertheless, during the same period, the healthcare expenses incurred by British retirees and vacationers receiving treatment in European hospitals amounted to almost £1 billion for the United Kingdom.

Critics argue this situation raises worries that the government might be letting the NHS get exploited by Europe regarding healthcare expenses.

Although European countries charge the government for services rendered to British nationals using hospital bills, the Ministry of Health has discovered that UK officials generate charges for these nations based on 'estimated' expenses incurred by the National Health Service in treating their citizens.

Activists argue that the actual number is probably much greater.

Even though the NHS isn’t securing the most advantageous terms for taxpayers – Chancellor Rachel Reeves is planning a £30 billion increase for the healthcare sector, which will come at the cost of funding for the police and local authorities.

The disclosures follow the announcement in April by the Ministry of Saúde that English hospitals had waived £256.4 million owed by international visitors for NHS treatments.

Alp Mehmet, chairman of Migration Watch UK, stated: "The issue stems from our complete incapability to track the utilization of the NHS by individuals who are not UK citizens, a disgraceful neglect in securing payments owed, and an overly trusting approach towards the EU which has frequently exploited us."

Conservative Party parliamentarian 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.

There is a 'reciprocal agreement' for healthcare in Europe, allowing citizens within the European Economic Area (EEA) to have at least part, or even all, of their medical expenses covered by their home country when they are traveling outside their own borders.

Although European healthcare systems, which typically require payment in advance, excel at recording these specifics, the NHS falls short—hence the approximate figures.

The statistics, obtained through a Freedom of Information request by the MoS, indicate that the NHS charged Spain £6.7 million in 2023/24, whereas approximately £441 million was reimbursed to them.

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

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

Moreover, each year sees a higher number of British tourists visiting Europe (63 million) compared to European travelers heading 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%, increasing from £674.4 million in 2014/15 to £948.9 million last year.

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

A spokesperson from the Department of Health mentioned that the UK applies fees for European Union countries whenever their residents utilize the National Health Service (NHS). This arrangement guarantees that British citizens can likewise receive medical care during visits to Europe.

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