Paphos People

I was talking to someone this morning who has lived here for many years…..he works (for himself) and has never paid tax or submitted a tax return and therefore does not contribute to GESY… ….he is under UK pension age.

He required a heart operation and was refused in Cyprus unless he went privately or had health insurance (he didn't), so thought he would just go back to the UK and get it done…….WRONG…because he has residency in Cyprus and couldn’t provide evidence of paying tax or national insurance / social insurance in either Cyprus or the UK, he was again refused…he had to go privately at a cost of £37,000

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Dave
Moira And Dave

“I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”

Ouch, living under the radar can sting ! Lucky he had 37,000

£37,000 is a lot of money, but it is difficult to be sympathetic if, assuming I understand correctly, he has been working here illegally and avoiding paying the dues that the rest of us pay.

The very clear moral of the story is, if you live and work here, do it properly.

If you earn below €19.500 you pay zero income tax, so surely it's a no brainer? If he was earning more than €19,500 and not paying, then he definitely doesn't deserve any sympathy.

He can consider himself fortunate that he had the money.

Is he going to register and pay his dues now?

Agreed Effsie its all well and good to take the goverment out of the money loop when it suits you, but not so much fun when they take you out when it suits them ! If you live here then why look to the uk for support ?

Good.

Alan

Maybe his employment did not entail trading in Cyprus (even 'under the radar').
If he is quite well financed, via legacies or savings, he could have retired early.
Then it's a choice ... 'Private Health Insurance' ... or 'Risk it for a biscuit'(if generally healthy).
I risked it and fortunately saved paying any premiums ... now covered by S1. I got lucky

Earlier in the week I was reading about a man who lives off his savings - has MEU1 but no private health insurance - has been diagnosed with cancer and informed that he would have to go private with the cost of treatment approximately €5000.00 every three weeks. Friends of his were trying to see if he could get treatment back in the UK, but from the original post it appears that is not an option.

If he is retired and qualifies for an S1 he could do it through GESY

This explains the rules https://www.expatnetwork.com/expats-have-to-pay-for-nhs-care/

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Dave
Moira And Dave

“I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”

Unfortunately he is nowhere near the UK state retirement age, which is why it is so important for people to have some form of health cover when they choose to live overseas.

Not sure how he got his MEU1 without showing he had health insurance!It really amazes me that people want the best of both worlds. They boast how they live in Cyprus so cheaply and pay no contribution to the country they supposedly love but then expect the UK NHS to look after them when Cyprus won't.
I would bet that there are still many who have not even bothered to get their residency sorted before January and there are going to be many who find themselves in difficult situations.
I hope many read this and start to behave responsibly!

Poppytim..As I believe a few did, he will have had Private Medical UNTIL he got his MEU1 then cancelled it

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Dave
Moira And Dave

“I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”

Oh of course!! I remember we were covered for the first 18 months when we came over which no longer applies and then we had a 6 month gap until I got my pension - I found that worrying!!
There are so many also who abuse the tax system which I was encouraged to do by a bone fide Accountant!! - I didn't!!

Without saying I told you so, in other posts I have told you about the UK now getting tough with Expats wanting the best of both worlds, well there is the proof, okay I feel for anyone that is ill and needs help but you cannot have it both ways, you either want to live in Cyprus or live in the UK.

What gets me wound up is people bleating we paid our taxes and National insurance, WELL HELLO how long ago was that, sorry folks the gravy train has dried up.

Told you so