first time abroad

[korky]

I would go over first for a few weeks to Normandy and Britanny. Get a feel for it. Driving on right, getting fuel/gas as you will need extra bits, 230v adapeters if on ehu, gas adapters for lpg or for bottles. Do not think portugal is wall to wall sunshine in winter and you will be sunning it every day. Going over long terms - you need to consider think like UK tea and some things that cost the earth abroad, whilst some thing are dirt cheap....but normally liquid excluding fuel. Nasty prices now.

I love Brittany and Normandy. In fact I've just come back. But in winter for a first trip abroad ?

Portugal isn't wall to wall sunshine all winter granted but much more chance of getting the chairs out in the sun there,or S.Spain or Sicily.

Korky.

 

[Wooie1958]

Until ****** buggers things up, there are no issues at all. Just get your free E111 and passport, and go.
Everything is mostly the same. National borders are not much different from going over the Scottish border.
Still free healthcare, your mobile phone works the same (and costs the same).

And ............... you`ve more chance of understanding people in Europe than some of the Scottish you`ll meet :scared: :mad1: :lol-049: :lol-049:

 

[antiquesam]

And ............... you`ve more chance of understanding people in Europe than some of the Scottish you`ll meet :scared: :mad1: :lol-049: :lol-049:

If you said that on a Ryanair plane you'd be known to everyone in the world by now.
But more likely you'd have had a Glasgow kiss and a sore nose.

 

[witzend]

Portugal isn't wall to wall sunshine all winter Korky.

And has as many dark hrs as the UK most of last winter to sit out you'd need a sheltered spot and run the heating most nites + side you can expect less rainy days than UK

 

[Tbear]

If you drive down there, staying on the Aires, chatting to the other motorhomers will provide you with all the info that you could ever need. Much of it bang up to date. Health card and gas sorted as above. I did not read all posts so apologies if anyone else stressed the importance of a good return to UK breakdown insurance. We have the AA book which covers most of Europe. I'd see if your local library has a copy. A quick skim through is all you need and save your money for wine or other important things.

Richard

 

[Deleted user 48797]

You miss my point: the NHS won't pay if you choose to go to a private clinic either.

Don't think I do. Some people regard the Ehic as a joker to be used for anything anywhere in Europe, it no longer is, it's now reciprocal and different rules apply in different EU countries. There may be charges even if you go to a public hospital or clinic. It provides for the level of care that comes free in that country, which may be very little, if you have no insurance. Anything above this there could be charges in the form of a co-payment to be made at the time of treatment. Some, but not all, of these costs can be reclaimed on return to the UK through the NHS in Newcastle upon Tyne.

 

[Deleted user 48797]

Kath needed to use the EHIC card a few weeks ago in France and also last year in Portugal.
It worked well!
She went to ordinary A&E departments, in France the Dr sent her there and notified ahead.
She did pay a little, but the card paid the bulk. Medication from the Pharmacy did however cost.
They gave her forms for our insurance, but to be honest, the costs were only around £100. so won't bother.

Yes the same happened to me. Even with the EHIC I had to pay a contribution including €25 for an x-ray. On return to the UK I claimed some back from the NHS to the value of about 20% of the total costs. My insurance didn't cover the first £250 of any claim so I lost the rest but it was worth it for the treatment.

 

[Canalsman]

Anything above this there could be charges in the form of a co-payment to be made at the time of treatment. Some, but not all, of these costs can be reclaimed on return to the UK through the NHS in Newcastle upon Tyne.

The rules regarding reclaiming co-payment charges changed a few years ago.

For France for instance you cannot reclaim in the UK. You have to reclaim in France and the repayment amount is remitted to you by the French government.

This may apply for other EU countries but I haven't checked. The NHS EHIC website defines the rules applicable for each country.

 

[grahamandjayne]

thnkas to everyone

many more replies than i expected and all great to read, so my thanks to all, i have enough links and advice to give me bedtime reading for a month!!! great isn't it!
graham

 

[witzend]

And ............... you`ve more chance of understanding people in Europe than some of the Scottish you`ll meet

I remember our first trip to Eire I stopped beside a car in Fishguard and asked the man unloading it if he could recommend a restaurant he answered and pointed the way we where going. When I got back to the car the wife asked what he'd said, Laughing I replied that I couldn't understand a word he said but he pointed in this direction