Are there any advantages in adopting EU citizenship for a full timer?

[TonyC123]

I'm retired, planning to live and travel full time in a campervan or MH next Spring, and I think I would really enjoy some European touring.
I had a Dutch grandparent, and my brother recently used that connection to claim Dutch citizenship for himself.
He did this because has a disabled son with a medical condition that fares much better in a warmer drier climates, and getting Dutch citizenship means he can spend much longer periods in southern Europe, without the 3 month restrictions put in place by brexit.

I'm starting to wonder if there might be some practical benefits for me personally in following his example and gaining EU citizenship, and so I wanted to ask if there are any members here who have been through a similar process?
And what benefits you gained from it?

For example, I'm not operating on a big budget, and unfortunately I have a couple of developing health issues - and I've been worried that the increased costs of long term travel/health insurance in Europe would limit the time I can spend there.
Would travel and health insurance be cheaper if I was a Dutch citizen travelling around Europe? Or would I potentially lose some healthcare entitlements in the UK by becoming an EU citizen?

Or, would healthcare throughout Europe become entirely free if I were an EU citizen?
As an NHS worker of 40 years, I've been very aware of the massive decline in the NHS over the last 15 years.
So I imagined that a big advantage of of EU citizenship was that if I had a serious health issue, I could scoot over to the the Netherlands and be given much more prompt treatment than I would get in the UK.
But after some initial reading, it seems that the Dutch healthcare system, like the NHS, relies on contributions made over one's lifetime.
And so I doubt that Dutch citizenship alone would give me an eligibility for prompt and free healthcare in the Netherlands.

So in summary, I dont think I'll be able to take advantage of the more prompt healthcare in France, Germany, Spain or the Netherlands- or at least not without cost.
And I dont think the health insurance costs for travelling around Europe would be any cheaper.
So at the moment, the only benefit I can see from EU citizenship is that I dont have to do the 3 months in-and-out shuffle.
But the question is - am I missing something?
Have I misunderstood or overlooked an important entitlement of EU citizenship that would be beneficial to a person in their early 60s who is looking to tour around Europe in a motorhome?

 

[Bandos]

I wish I had some connections from Europe. All my lot came from Somerset

 

[Figaro]

Having a Dutch passport would be a big benefit by avoiding the 90/180 days Schengen shuffle but I don't think it would entitle you to free healthcare in the EU

 

[Vikdikdok]

Ask Nigel farage

 

[The Wino]

Can you hold EU and UK citizenship if not you would not be able to return to the UK it would be a very drastic step to take. I think as people age and their health deteriorates they find living in a different country very difficult.
I think if you leave the UK your UK state pension no longer increases with inflation also.

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[Bolti]

My OH has a Hungarian parent and applied to the Hungarian embassy for this to be recognised. He received, a passport, citizenship, full access to healthcare, a Hungarian marriage certificate ( using the details from our UK marriage) and an Hungarian birth certificate. As we have been married for 10 years I can also apply for citizenship unfortunately I need to have conversational Hungarian which after studying the language is never going to happen.

 

[Carpmart]

I'm retired, planning to live and travel full time in a campervan or MH next Spring, and I think I would really enjoy some European touring.
I had a Dutch grandparent, and my brother recently used that connection to claim Dutch citizenship for himself.
He did this because has a disabled son with a medical condition that fares much better in a warmer drier climates, and getting Dutch citizenship means he can spend much longer periods in southern Europe, without the 3 month restrictions put in place by brexit.

I'm starting to wonder if there might be some practical benefits for me personally in following his example and gaining EU citizenship, and so I wanted to ask if there are any members here who have been through a similar process?
And what benefits you gained from it?

For example, I'm not operating on a big budget, and unfortunately I have a couple of developing health issues - and I've been worried that the increased costs of long term travel/health insurance in Europe would limit the time I can spend there.
Would travel and health insurance be cheaper if I was a Dutch citizen travelling around Europe? Or would I potentially lose some healthcare entitlements in the UK by becoming an EU citizen?

Or, would healthcare throughout Europe become entirely free if I were an EU citizen?
As an NHS worker of 40 years, I've been very aware of the massive decline in the NHS over the last 15 years.
So I imagined that a big advantage of of EU citizenship was that if I had a serious health issue, I could scoot over to the the Netherlands and be given much more prompt treatment than I would get in the UK.
But after some initial reading, it seems that the Dutch healthcare system, like the NHS, relies on contributions made over one's lifetime.
And so I doubt that Dutch citizenship alone would give me an eligibility for prompt and free healthcare in the Netherlands.

So in summary, I dont think I'll be able to take advantage of the more prompt healthcare in France, Germany, Spain or the Netherlands- or at least not without cost.
And I dont think the health insurance costs for travelling around Europe would be any cheaper.
So at the moment, the only benefit I can see from EU citizenship is that I dont have to do the 3 months in-and-out shuffle.
But the question is - am I missing something?
Have I misunderstood or overlooked an important entitlement of EU citizenship that would be beneficial to a person in their early 60s who is looking to tour around Europe in a motorhome?

Being an EU citizen has many advantages…

My wife was born in Ireland and has always had an Irish passport. The ability for us to roam freely in the EU enables long term touring without (largely) restriction, which is fantastic!

I say go for it, but don’t be under the illusion that the Netherlands will provide you with lots of free healthcare as you hold one of their passports, the Dutch passport just gives you travel impunity. GHIC card helps with health care.

Obviously retain your British passport too…

 

[Widge]

I have duel nationality french/british, but I live in france and have no real intention of returning to live in the UK, but it gives me no extended rites regarding healthcare, it really only gives me the advantages and protection of being a eu citizen and the ability to vote in french and European elections, although that is probably greatly oversimplifying it.

Also, although I understand the Netherlands do accept dual citizenship, I thought it was only under certain circumstances and not in all cases, you should check it out thoroughly, it is not just a case of gaining eu citizenship, each country have there own rules and regulations regarding its citizens.

 

[fishplug]

I would also suggest trying to see if dual citizenship could be an option as it would be the best of both worlds.

If not, and you do decide to go Dutch, then you could presumably still apply for settled status in the UK (working on the assumption that you've spent most of your adult life in the UK and perhaps own a house etc).

This should grant you 'indefinite leave to remain' (which I always thought was a confusing way of saying it!) and would allow you to return to the UK without fuss.

It's funny how the accidental geography of our birth (and that of our ancestors), something we have no choice in, can have such profound impacts on our lives.

 

[gus-lopez]

And so I doubt that Dutch citizenship alone would give me an eligibility for prompt and free healthcare in the Netherlands.

No but if you are of state pension age you can apply for an Sº deposit that with the Dutch medical system & you will then be entitled. In any other EU state with a EHIc ,which you will be entitled to either under the dutch system or if a uk state pensioner then they supply it , you receive exactly the same health care as a citizen of that country In spain similar to the UK .In France they have a co pay system so you pay for some things but can reclaim it if you have insurance

Can you hold EU and UK citizenship if not you would not be able to return to the UK

Yes ,The Uk recognises dual nationality.Here spain does not so if you go for nationality you have to surrender your passport which they send back to the Uk,who then send it back to you

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[jumar]

Good luck, it's a good life in Eurozone.

 

[Roby2008]

Good luck, it's a good life in Eurozone.

It certainly is .......

 

[BrochMike]

UK allows dual citizenship but check out this 'option procedure' on NL site.

Becoming a Dutch national through option | IND

You have a strong bond with the Netherlands. You therefore want to apply for Dutch nationality more quickly through option. Read what the requirements are and how you apply for option.

ind.nl

Apparently, you can't normally retain dual NL/UK citizenship but if you meet certain criteria you can (although I don't think having a Dutch grand-parent is one of the criteria, so check carefully - or contact the NL govt directly).

Edit: what happened when your brother applied? That's probably your best guide!

 

[Widge]

Also if you go to a third country, choose wisely which passport to use. I understand that if you enter a country, for instance china, under a dutch passport, if you have any problems, you can only request assistance from the dutch embassy, the british embassy has no, or very little influence or authority, to intervene on your behalf.

 

[Brains]

Be aware that 'officially' you can not hold Dutch dual citizenship.

That said, my sister in law was born in Holland (in the 1950's) and at that time it was possible for her to have Dutch/British citizenship (with also the right of residence in Israel, USA and Morocco)

When her children were born in the UK in the 1990's they all got UK passports, but their births were also registered in Holland.

Therefore at the time of the Brexit disaster, all three (now 30 year olds) were able to apply for Dutch passports and retain their UK passports, but that was only because of the original registration done back in the 1990's

So I'd look very carefully into the rules, as you may find to get a Dutch passport you need to give up the UK passport.

However if you can get both, go for it, I'd pay serious money for a second EU passport if I qualified.

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[nicholsong]

Be aware that 'officially' you can not hold Dutch dual citizenship.

That said, my sister in law was born in Holland (in the 1950's) and at that time it was possible for her to have Dutch/British citizenship (with also the right of residence in Israel, USA and Morocco)

When her children were born in the UK in the 1990's they all got UK passports, but their births were also registered in Holland.

Therefore at the time of the Brexit disaster, all three (now 30 year olds) were able to apply for Dutch passports and retain their UK passports, but that was only because of the original registration done back in the 1990's

So I'd look very carefully into the rules, as you may find to get a Dutch passport you need to give up the UK passport.

However if you can get both, go for it, I'd pay serious money for a second EU passport if I qualified.

Any country that makes that rule seems to forget that, even if one surrenders one's passport, and if one was born in the UK, one can walk into the British Consulate the next week and apply for a British passport.

 

[jumar]

There are many advantages of being a Eurozone Resident who.loves to travel and have advanced in years therefore qualifying for S1 Reciprocal Health rights,
The health benefits of warm climates, good diets and a lower stress levels are very beneficial.
The cost of living in some EU countries is also beneficial, being a motorhome related thread, I must say that Eurozone is well provided for in available camperstops, Aires and campsites.
Direct flights back to the UK to see loved ones can be made as often as one desires, together with extended stays without causing any residential status issues..
Fears of high taxation would need to be investigated, but in some countries, this may be less too...
Integration is paramount to being accepted in your new country of residence, not just the convenience of holding a document which gives more freedom of movement..

 

[Jim]

If you have assets to pass on when you pop your clogs, I wouldn't choose Spain France or Belgium as the death duties are ridiculous

 

[varaizian]

Can you hold EU and UK citizenship if not you would not be able to return to the UK it would be a very drastic step to take. I think as people age and their health deteriorates they find living in a different country very difficult.
I think if you leave the UK your UK state pension no longer increases with inflation also.

That is true for Australia and Canada but not the EU.

 

[Brains]

If you have assets to pass on when you pop your clogs, I wouldn't choose Spain France or Belgium as the death duties are ridiculous

40% in the UK (over a certain minimum amount)
But (almost) no IHT in Guernsey, Jersey or Dubai!

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[Peregrinator]

You have answered almost all of your own questions, I have duel citizenship, now I don't have to worry about the 90 day rule, Go any time, anywhere, any length of time I choose.

 

[TonyC123]

Thanks very much everyone for this really helpful information. There's lots to read and understand here already (the S1 reciprocal rights thing sounds very positive), and I'll be back later to reply to as many of the posts as I can.

 

[Bill-H]

An alternative could be to travel outside of Schengen, Albania, Montenegro or Morocco for instance, 3 months in each. No complication with getting another passport although you'd still need medical cover

 

[varaizian]

There are many advantages of being a Eurozone Resident who.loves to travel and have advanced in years therefore qualifying for S1 Reciprocal Health rights,
The health benefits of warm climates, good diets and a lower stress levels are very beneficial.
The cost of living in some EU countries is also beneficial, being a motorhome related thread, I must say that Eurozone is well provided for in available camperstops, Aires and campsites.
Direct flights back to the UK to see loved ones can be made as often as one desires, together with extended stays without causing any residential status issues..
Fears of high taxation would need to be investigated, but in some countries, this may be less too...
Integration is paramount to being accepted in your new country of residence, not just the convenience of holding a document which gives more freedom of movement..

I wouldn't argue with any of this but to be a resident in France in order to get an S1 registered for healthcare you have to obtain a social security number and that involves becoming tax resident and making annual declarations of your global income. French tax rates, especially for retired people, are not onerous despite their reputation. Agree 100% with the integration sentiment.

 

[gus-lopez]

you can't normally retain dual NL/UK citizenship

No but as i posted before the dutch take it off you & the Uk give it back

Be aware that 'officially' you can not hold Dutch dual citizenship.

nor spanish but they are not interested once they have sent the UK passport back that then gets returned to you by the UK

If you have assets to pass on when you pop your clogs, I wouldn't choose Spain France or Belgium as the death duties are ridiculous

If there is anything to pay then for close family it starts at 35%

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[TonyC123]

Just another thought - the idea of 50% or more travel time in Europe does also raise the question of left hand drive.
Its been years since I've driven on the left, so with that lack of experience it might be better to go for left hand drive, with the idea that at least European trips will be a bit easier.
I really don't fancy driving a LH drive motorhome down narrow lanes in the UK, but maybe I can just avoid the worst of them, and stick to wider routes.

Or maybe I can get a MH with dual controls like a driving school car, and just change seats on the ferry?

PS - That last bit was a joke. Well mostly.

 

[nicholsong]

There are many advantages of being a Eurozone Resident who.loves to travel and have advanced in years therefore qualifying for S1 Reciprocal Health rights,
The health benefits of warm climates, good diets and a lower stress levels are very beneficial.
The cost of living in some EU countries is also beneficial, being a motorhome related thread, I must say that Eurozone is well provided for in available camperstops, Aires and campsites.
Direct flights back to the UK to see loved ones can be made as often as one desires, together with extended stays without causing any residential status issues..
Fears of high taxation would need to be investigated, but in some countries, this may be less too...
Integration is paramount to being accepted in your new country of residence, not just the convenience of holding a document which gives more freedom of movement..

I am not sure if Brits still qualify for S1 health rights. I got mine during the Withdrawal Agreement from Brexit period, but I think they ceased after that. Needs checking.

 

[Widge]

Thanks very much everyone for this really helpful information. There's lots to read and understand here already (the S1 reciprocal rights thing sounds very positive), and I'll be back later to reply to as many of the posts as I can.

Remember, the S1 only gives you reciprocal rites, not the same rites as you have in the UK, depending on the country, you may need to pay for a proportion of your health care, either out of your pocket directly, or via an insurance.

Secondly to qualify for an S1, you do have to be a resident, which opens up all sorts of other issues like paying tax in your host country, and since brexit, being a resident has become more difficult to qualify, depending on your financial and scocial situation, and I believe, certainly in france, also showing that you have a good command of the language, and for somebody without a family connection, being a resident for 5 years, before being able to apply for citizenship.

The plus point in france, it is not expensive to become a citizen. If you ignore all the costs of putting all the paperwork with translations together, getting your language skills to the correct level etc, which you would need for any country, i think it cost me 55€

 

[carolyn]

Can you hold EU and UK citizenship if not you would not be able to return to the UK it would be a very drastic step to take. I think as people age and their health deteriorates they find living in a different country very difficult.
I think if you leave the UK your UK state pension no longer increases with inflation also.

Your pension will increase in the EU no problem and many other countries including the USA, not Australia or Canada though and I don’t think NZ. I’ve always thought that strange.

 

[The Wino]

40% in the UK (over a certain minimum amount)
But (almost) no IHT in Guernsey, Jersey or Dubai!

You are okay in the UK up to a million if married. If you have over 2 million it gets more expensive as you start to lose your residential property allowance. You can of course gift as much as you like if you live another 7 years and there's reduced IHT if you almost last the 7. Describing it as a minimum amount makes it sound like a pittance!

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