Britons planning to spend their retirement abroad have been urged to make sure they take out health insurance.

This advice, which comes from Shelter Offshore, follows the plan by some European countries to prevent expats who have retired early from accessing free healthcare.

It called on people which such plan in the pipeline to consider access to medical care very essential.

The European Commission, a couple a weeks ago, made a proposal that would allow people from the European Union have access to free medical care in all member countries.

It means their medical bill will be paid for either by their medical insurer back home or respective countries as a matter of right.

Britain has already rejected the proposal, although it argued it was still at the level of negotiation.

“Experts expect the plans to become law and actionable by 2010,” said Shelter Offshore, adding that it bodes well for those would-be expats thinking of retiring abroad.

In the meantime it advised people to familiarise with their chosen destination’s specific healthcare requirements.