A quarter (25%) of UK workers are worried that they might have worse benefits if they moved abroad, according to a study from Aviva.
Polling 1,000 employees aged 18 to 45, the study found that over half (54%) of respondents would contemplate moving abroad.
Almost half (46%) are considering a permanent move compared to 39% last year. One in five (21%) remain more cautious and would only be prepared to go for between one and three years.
Health appears to be the key concern for people considering a move abroad. Just over a third say the National Health Service (NHS) is one of the things they would miss the most. This is compared to a quarter (25%) saying the same last year.
Almost half (46%) of respondents think the UK has better health benefits than other countries worldwide. Six in 10 (59%) said that they would factor heath insurance into their planning. By contrast, 38% of people would not arrange any sort of health insurance before they moved.
Aviva’s research revealed that the same five countries identified in its 2010 study still remain the re-location destinations of choice: Australia, the US, Canada, Spain and New Zealand. Other popular destinations included: France, Italy, Dubai, Switzerland and Germany.
Teresa Rogers, business lead for international private medical insurance at Aviva, said: “When times are tough, it might seem natural to set one’s sights on moving abroad. But our survey shows that there are certainly pros and cons to moving.
“Health is clearly a primary concern for people and, whether they are thinking of moving abroad for a short time or on a more permanent basis, they need to take care to ensure they and their family are always properly protected.
“Healthcare provision varies greatly around the world and even routine medical care can prove costly in countries that do not offer a similar service to the NHS.
"Although it is very encouraging that over half of the people we spoke to would consider taking out international health insurance, over a third (39%) would sort their health insurance out only once they have arrived. This could leave them in a difficult position should the worst happen.”
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