
As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies, WeCovr is dedicated to demystifying the world of private medical insurance. This guide explores the impact of Brexit on the UK PMI market, helping you navigate the changes with confidence and find the right cover for your needs.
The UK's departure from the European Union has reshaped many sectors, and the insurance industry is no exception. While the core benefits of a domestic private medical insurance (PMI) policy for UK residents remain robust, Brexit has introduced significant changes, particularly concerning cross-border healthcare, regulations, and the options available to British expats and international citizens.
This comprehensive article will explore:
Understanding these shifts is crucial for ensuring you have continuous and appropriate health cover, wherever you are.
Before diving into the specifics of Brexit, let's clarify what private medical insurance is and, just as importantly, what it isn't.
Private Medical Insurance (PMI), often called private health cover, is an insurance policy that pays for the costs of private healthcare treatment for acute conditions that arise after your policy begins.
An acute condition is a disease, illness, or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment and lead to a full recovery. Think of conditions like cataracts needing surgery, joint pain requiring a hip replacement, or hernias.
This is the most important concept to understand about standard UK PMI:
Essentially, PMI provides peace of mind that should you develop a new, treatable medical condition, you can bypass NHS waiting lists and receive prompt diagnosis and treatment in a private setting. According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), their members paid out £2.76 billion in health and protection claims in 2022, demonstrating the vital role the sector plays.
For decades, UK insurers operated within a harmonised EU regulatory framework. Brexit marked the end of this era, establishing a new, independent path for the UK.
Before Brexit, UK financial services firms, including insurers, benefited from "passporting" rights. This meant a company authorised by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) could sell its products and services across the entire European Economic Area (EEA) without needing separate authorisations in each country.
This system ceased on 31st December 2020. Now:
For a UK resident buying a domestic policy from a UK-based insurer, not much has changed in terms of protection. Your policy is still regulated by the FCA, and you are still protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). The fundamental quality and security of your cover remain intact. The biggest impacts are felt at the borders.
For years, British travellers to Europe relied on the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Post-Brexit, this has been replaced by the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). Understanding the difference is vital for anyone travelling to the continent.
The EHIC allowed UK residents to access state-provided, medically necessary healthcare during a temporary stay in an EU country under the same conditions and at the same cost as people insured in that country.
The GHIC offers similar cover but with some key differences.
| Feature | European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) | Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing Country | UK (pre-Brexit) | UK (post-Brexit) |
| Geographic Cover | EU countries, plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. | Primarily EU countries only. |
| Type of Cover | Medically necessary state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay. | Medically necessary state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay. |
| Cost | Free for the patient (or at a reduced cost, same as a local resident). | Free for the patient (or at a reduced cost, same as a local resident). |
| Private Care | Not covered. | Not covered. |
| Repatriation | Not covered. | Not covered. |
Key Takeaway: Neither the EHIC nor the GHIC is a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance or a PMI policy with travel cover. They do not cover costs for private clinics, mountain rescue in ski resorts, being flown back to the UK (repatriation), or cancelled flights and lost luggage.
While your core UK health cover is stable, Brexit's impact is most visible in policies that include cover for treatment abroad.
If your policy is purely for treatment within the UK, you will have noticed very little direct change. The network of private hospitals, access to specialists, and range of treatments remain world-class.
The changes appear when you look at European travel cover options, which are often sold as an add-on to a core PMI policy.
Real-Life Example:
Sarah, a 45-year-old marketing manager from Manchester, has a UK PMI policy with a European travel option. While on holiday in Portugal, she develops a severe abdominal pain.
Pre-Brexit: She would have gone to a local state hospital, shown her EHIC, and received initial treatment. Her PMI would then coordinate any necessary private follow-up care or transfer.
Post-Brexit: She should still go to a state hospital and present her GHIC for emergency care. She must also contact her PMI provider's 24/7 helpline immediately. They will guide her on whether to stay in the state system or if it's appropriate and covered to move to a specific private facility they have an agreement with. The process requires more active communication with the insurer from the outset.
For the estimated 1.3 million UK-born people living in the EU, Brexit has had the most profound impact on their healthcare options.
The end of "passporting" means a UK insurer regulated only by the FCA can no longer legally sell a new policy to a resident in, for example, Spain, France, or Germany.
| Consideration | Before Brexit (Pre-2021) | After Brexit (Post-2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Buying a Policy | A UK expat in France could easily buy a policy from a UK-based insurer. | A UK expat in France must buy a policy from an insurer licensed to operate in France. This may be a local French insurer or a global insurer with the correct EU permissions. |
| Existing Policies | Existing policies could be renewed and serviced without issue. | Many UK insurers were forced to place expat policies into "run-off" (not renewing them) or transfer them to an EU-based subsidiary. Many expats had to find brand new cover. |
| Finding Cover | Relatively straightforward through UK channels. | More complex. Requires navigating local regulations and finding a provider with the right licence. |
This has created significant challenges. Many expats found their long-standing UK PMI policies were not renewed, forcing them to seek new cover at an older age, potentially with new exclusions for conditions that had developed over the years.
This is where a specialist broker is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. An expert broker like WeCovr can navigate this fragmented market. We work with a wide range of global health insurance providers who are fully licensed and equipped to provide comprehensive cover to expats across the EU, ensuring you get a policy that is both compliant and tailored to your needs.
The situation for EU, EEA, or Swiss nationals who are legally resident in the UK is much simpler.
Your ability to purchase a UK private medical insurance policy is based on your residency status, not your nationality. If you live in the UK, you can apply for a domestic PMI policy in the same way a British citizen can.
Brexit has not changed this fundamental principle. Insurers will want to confirm your UK address and your right to reside in the UK, but your application will be assessed on standard factors like age, medical history, and the level of cover you want.
The UK, particularly London's Harley Street medical district, has long been a global hub for high-quality private healthcare. Brexit has not diminished this reputation.
International clients from the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and the Americas continue to travel to the UK for specialist treatment. These individuals are not eligible for standard domestic UK PMI. Instead, they require international health insurance policies specifically designed for this purpose.
These plans are highly specialised and can be structured to:
Sourcing these plans requires specialist knowledge of the global insurance market. As an experienced PMI broker, WeCovr assists international clients in finding plans that provide access to the UK's best hospitals and specialists, handling the complexities of international cover.
In the post-Brexit landscape, the 'do-it-yourself' approach to finding health insurance is riskier than ever, especially if your circumstances involve more than one country.
A broker provides clarity in a complex market.
Your insurance policy is a safety net, but the first line of defence is always your health. Here are some tips for staying well, particularly when travelling in a post-Brexit world.
Taking these simple steps can significantly reduce your chances of needing to make a claim, leaving you to enjoy your trip with greater peace of mind.
The health insurance landscape has become more complex, but the value of having the right cover has never been greater. Whether you're a UK resident, an expat, or an international citizen seeking care in the UK, navigating your options with an expert is the smartest choice.
Contact WeCovr today for a free, no-obligation quote. Our friendly team will help you compare the best PMI providers and find a policy that gives you and your family security and peace of mind in this new era.






