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Six reasons why international health insurance could give you peace of mind – now and in the future

In times of crisis, certain truths become ever more apparent. The rapid spread of the coronavirus across the world is a stark example of how quickly things can change and the value of being prepared for the unexpected.

Published: 30 March 2020 14:50 CEST
Six reasons why international health insurance could give you peace of mind – now and in the future
Photo by Timur Romanov on Unsplash

Nobody can separate themselves from the ups and downs of life. But individuals and families face important decisions about how best to secure some peace of mind. Such choices may loom even larger for expats, as international insurance broker ASN understands.

Here are six reasons why international health insurance could give you greater peace of mind today and in the years to come:

1.     Feeling prepared

All insurance is about protecting against risks. Perceptions of risk change over time and sometimes the unexpected hits you without warning. ASN works with a wide range of insurance partners, many of whom offer coverage for pandemics, including the current coronavirus outbreak.

Find out more about ASN and its international network of insurance providers

Anyone diagnosed with coronavirus who has such a policy will be covered under the normal terms and conditions of their plan. Depending on your level of cover, this could include a full refund for in-patient hospital charges while being treated for COVID-19 or a significant hospital cash benefit.

2.    Personalised plans

Nobody looks forward to a hospital stay. But a bespoke insurance policy could make it easier by enabling you to choose which hospital you are treated in – and whether you will have a private room.

Most people infected with coronavirus simply need to self-isolate at home. But even the fit and healthy face a small risk of complications that require hospital treatment. Many of ASN’s partners work directly with hospitals on a case-by-case basis, building relationships and helping to curb medical inflation.

Photo: Adobe Stock

3.    Coverage beyond borders

The current crisis has led to unprecedented closures of international borders. Huge numbers of people have either been left stranded or facing difficult choices about whether to cancel travel plans.

Want quality health insurance coverage wherever you are? Find out more

Specialist international health insurance offers you more when you are abroad, whether as an emigrant or a frequent traveller. ASN can select insurance offering global coverage and access to a worldwide network of leading doctors and hospitals to choose from. You can also opt for a policy that offers medical evacuation and repatriation where necessary.

4.    Clear round-the-clock communication

Amid uncertainty and anxiety, clear communication from a trusted source that remains readily available can seem invaluable. Some insurance providers now offer member services 24/7 through contact options such as WhatsApp, phone hotlines and live chat. ASN support officers also remain available by email and phone during the pandemic. The company reminds everyone to follow safe practices outlined by the World Health Organization and to continue social distancing.

5.    Putting family first

Illness can be hugely disruptive to family life. If you suspect you have coronavirus, your first concern might be about the potential implications and impact for your family members. ASN has strong partnerships with providers that offer a wide choice of individual or family-based policies.

Photo by CDC on Unsplash

One has already extended the claim submission period from six to nine months for members with COVID-19, so they can focus on recovering fully with support from their family. It has also pledged faster turnaround times for pre-authorisations of treatment and claims relating to COVID-19.

6.    Facing the future

Healthcare in the 21st century is changing. From ageing populations to the potential of highly personalised ‘precision medicine’, the sector is being reshaped by a range of powerful factors.

Choosing the right insurance policy for you requires careful consideration of both the present and the future. When you establish health insurance with ASN, you are guaranteed lifetime renewability regardless of age or health conditions. True peace of mind depends on taking care of tomorrow as well as today.

Visit ASN’s website now for more information on global health insurance solutions.

Conditions may apply.

This article was produced by The Local Creative Studio and sponsored by Advisory Services Network.

For members

BRITS IN SPAIN

Six factors British people need to consider before retiring to Spain

If you're a UK national and thinking of retiring to Spain, there are some important factors you need to think about before making the move, and before you make any decisions about your UK pension.

Published: 3 May 2024 09:59 CEST
Six factors British people need to consider before retiring to Spain

Retiring to Spain is a dream for many, but in order to make that dream a reality, you need to know that you can financially support yourself.

For most retirees, their main or only income will be a UK pension, so it’s important to understand how your pension will work once you make the move to Spain. 

There are some specific rules and restrictions you should know when your pension is paid outside of the UK. You also need to understand how your pension will be taxed in Spain.

Financial adviser, Maeve Hoffman, from Spectrum IFA Group, emphasised that people should not take these decisions lightly, telling The Local: “Figuring out what to do with your pension should be part of your wider financial plans for your life”.

“This may be your most important asset, besides your home, and the best answer for what to do with your pension is highly individual. There are no sweeping generalisations when it comes to advice on private pensions. Everyone’s situation is different,” she said.

This article is intended as an overview of how the system works for UK pensioners and is not intended as a substitute for individual financial advice. It’s aimed at people who have worked most or all of their career in the UK and then plan on retiring to Spain – the situation is slightly different for people who have worked in Spain and then retire here.

READ ALSO: Which UK benefits can Brits keep if they move to Spain?

Long-term or short-term

The first thing you need to decide is if you’re moving Spain for the long-term or short-term. 

If you’re looking to stay here permanently, there are certain advantages you can benefit from, but they could make things extra complicated if you end up returning to the UK in the future.

Make sure you ask yourself the tough questions so you can think about every eventuality. Is there a chance that you will have grandchildren in the future that you’ll want to be close to them? Have you ever spent a significant time in Spain, before, apart from just for short holidays? Do you have connections to Spain, such as friends, family or a home? If your health deteriorates, will you want to be cared for in Spain or the UK?

If are unsure about the answers to these questions, then take some time to really think about them. There are alternatives to permanently moving to Spain if you are unsure – for example, you can stay here for three months without the need for a visa.

Understand the different tax rules

British retirees should be aware that the UK and Spain have very different tax systems.

Once you become a tax resident in Spain you have to file a yearly declaration on your global income. Your UK pension will be taxed in Spain and you will no longer be liable to UK taxation, unless you have a government service pension.

You can check if your pension is classified as ‘government’ here.

The UK state pension, as well as any other private pensions, will be taxable in Spain.

Because of this, will want to think about whether your previous plans for your private pension were only advantageous to you as a UK resident. Once you become a Spanish tax resident, they could have unforeseen implications.

For example, there is no tax-free lump sum in Spain. If you want to take out a lump sum, taking it while you are still a UK resident will save you a lot in tax.

Taxes also depend on the region in which you decide to retire to. Some are a lot more advantageous than others, so it’s important you know the rules of where you plan on moving to. 

READ ALSO: Why you should move to this region in Spain if you want to pay less tax

Get reliable, expert financial advice before doing anything

If you have decided you want to be in Spain permanently, then you will need some expert tax and pension advice – but you need to be careful who you take advice from, this is a highly specialist area and it’s unlikely that high street financial advisers will have the knowledge that you need. 

Brexit has also made getting financial advice more complicated, with fewer experts available.

Hoffman told The Local: “Because of Brexit, you cannot use a UK-based financial adviser anymore – you have to use an EU-registered one. This has made things more complicated. When picking an adviser, seek out someone who has expertise on the local taxation rules. They should also be regulated with the financial regulator where you live and where they work”. 

It can be especially complicated to work out who you should and shouldn’t take advice from – for example, some UK-based advisers have continued to give advice to EU-based clients, even though are not following EU regulations anymore. 

Hoffman adds: “There are free, government-based services in the UK that can help you understand your private pension – Pension Wise and Money Helper. Before doing anything, you should consult the free services. Any financial adviser worth their salt would recommend this too. 

“These services have begun to have longer wait times, so be sure to book well in advance of when you plan to draw from your pension.”

Decide whether to transfer your pension

Another question that is important for Brits to think about is whether or not to transfer their pension into either a UK-based SIPP for non-residents, or a QROPS (Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes).

The SIPP will keep your pension in the UK, while the QROPS moves it out of the UK. 

These options can be helpful for residents in Spain, but you need to familiarise yourself with their benefits and drawbacks.

“The QROPS is not for someone who is unsure of their future, as if you return to the UK within five years of the pension transfer, HMRC will seek their tax back as if it was a full encashment,” Hoffman said.

You should also beware of scams on this subject, as the post-Brexit period saw many scammers seeking to persuade Brits that it was now mandatory to transfer their UK pension – always be wary of any cold-calling or unsolicited financial advice.

Determine how you will draw from your pension

The next factor to consider is how you want to receive your pension – either as regular income or as a lump sum. The option that you chose will have tax implications in Spain.

Generally, the tax rate will depend on the amount of your pension, but can range from 19 to 47 percent in Spain.

Remember that there is no ‘tax-free lump sum’ in Spain, so it’s best that you don’t draw from your pension that way.

Healthcare and Social Security

You won’t automatically be covered for healthcare in Spain if you retire here, because you won’t be working and therefore won’t be paying social security.

Thankfully, there are various options. UK nationals who retire to Spain (and have never worked in Spain) and have already reached the state pension age can apply for the S1. This means that the UK continues to pay for their healthcare costs and they would not be charged social security. Non-working spouses of an S1 holder can also benefit from this.

READ ALSO – Healthcare in Spain: the steps to apply for the S1 form for UK state pensioners

You can also choose to pay for the convenio especial (which translates to ‘special agreement’). This allows foreigners in Spain to pay a monthly sum into the country’s public health system to have access to it, even if they don’t work. To access it, you will pay a monthly fee of €60 if you are under 65 and €157 if you are over 65. 

Of course, you also have the option of getting private health insurance too.

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