Originally Posted by
satchuk
Thanks a lot for the quick response.
I do understand she, as an individual, is not eligible for free care. I'm assuming that she and the baby will have free care because the baby is mine.
So from what you're saying, can it be understood that once we get back and I register/pay the NHS surcharge, then she+the baby will be eligible for free NHS?
No. Nothing you are saying is what will happen.
You are not eligible for free NHS care as an expat. You will need to return to the UK, declaring you will now be a permanent UK resident, pay the returning British National NHS surcharge ( this has been repealed for returning nationals), and then YOU will be eligible for free NHS care. But the OP will still need to declare he is moving home on a permanent basis. So if he still has a job in Thailand that would disqualify him from any free care on the NHS.
Your girlfriend will not be eligible for ANY free NHS care. Unless she has a visa that allows residence and has paid the NHS surcharge that is levied prior to granting such visa ( £500 I think for the surcharge) she will not receive ANY free NHS care. They probably won't deny her care, but she will have a bill for herself and the baby.
Once the baby is born I doubt it will be eligible for free NHS care. I suppose if yiu are granted sole custody and rwside in the UK as an ordinary ( permanape) resident then the baby May ququali for free NHS care.
If you are not coming back to the UK permanently and return to Thailand then you are not entitled to free NHS care. British citizenship no longer entitles you to walk in and out of the UK as an expat and get free Care.