Brit Annual State Pension Increases Agreed For Expats In Europe

Brit expats living in Europe are to get annual increases in the state pension.

Finally, the good news for British expats living in European Union member states is that the annual British state pension uprate will apply to all those in residence by the end of this year. Previous warnings of no guarantees of uprates post-2023 unless reciprocal deals were made are no longer valid. The guaranteed uprate will also apply to Britons living in EEA countries or Switzerland, and those who move to Europe during this year will also be covered, but uprates for those moving post-2020 will be subject to negotiation.

The news in likely to spur action from a good number of Brits eager to leave the UK prior to the end of this year but who’ve been reluctant to commit until future state pension rises were agreed. At present, over half a million British state pensioners will receive the annual uprates, with the information far more reassuring than that given last autumn. However, it’s not over yet for those who’re still planning to move to Europe after the end of December this year, as they may well end up in receipt of frozen pensions for the remainder of their lives.

In addition, for British expats in Spain, the healthcare issue is now far clearer and more positive, as their entitlement will be lifetime as long as they remain in the popular retirement destination. The rule will also apply to Brits who are now Spanish residents and who will claim their state pension at a later date. According to one retired British expat living in Spain, it’s really good news as many of his friends felt they would be forced back to the UK in the event of having free healthcare removed. None wanted to leave, but couldn’t afford the high cost of private heath insurance.