I lived in Bali for 13 months. Then I got sick. I called my travel insurance to repatriate me to the UK. They asked, “How long have you been away?” I said, “Since last year.” They replied: “Your policy covers repatriation to your Home Country. Since you have been gone >365 days, the UK is no longer your home. You are an expat. We will not fly you there.”
Key Takeaways
- The “Home Country” Definition: Most travel insurance defines “Home” as the place you have primary residence. If you give up your apartment and travel for years, you technically have no home to be repatriated to.
- The 365-Day Limit: Many policies (even annual ones) reset the “Home” status. If you don’t return once a year, they consider you a resident of your destination.
- Expat Insurance is the Fix: Global Health plans (Cigna/GeoBlue) don’t care about “trips.” They cover you where you live (Bali). But they won’t fly you to the UK unless you need treatment available only in the UK.
- Nomad Insurance Ambiguity: SafetyWing/World Nomads are designed for this, but even they have limits on “Repatriation” if you have severed all ties with your passport country (no address, no GP).
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Repatriation to WHERE?”
Repatriation means “Return to Fatherland.” But insurance companies treat it as “Return to Primary Residence.” If you live in Bali, Bali is your residence. Why would they fly you to London?
- The Crisis: You want the NHS (Free). You don’t want to be stuck in a Bali hospital. But the insurer says you live in Bali now.
The Investigation: I Called Them
- SafetyWing: “Your home country is the country of your citizenship OR the country where you have your primary residence.” If you have no residence in UK, they might fly you to UK based on citizenship, but it’s discretionary.
- True Traveler (UK): Very strict. “You must be a resident of the UK.” If you’ve been gone 2 years, you aren’t a resident. Coverage void.
- Genki: Designed for long-term. They focus on citizenship/passport country for repatriation if medical necessity arises.
Comparison Table: Long-Term Repatriation
| Feature | Standard Travel Insurance | Long-Term Nomad Ins. (Genki/SafetyWing) | Expat Health (Cigna) |
| Must Return Once a Year? | YES (Usually) | NO | NO |
| Repatriation Destination | Primary Residence | Passport Country (Usually) | “Center of Excellence” |
| NHS Access | N/A | YES (If flown back) | N/A |
[IMAGE: Graphic of a passport with a ‘Residency Expired’ stamp]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Keep a “Home” Address: Use your parents’ address. Keep a bank account and driver’s license there. Do not become “stateless” on paper.
- Visit Home: Return for 1 week every year to reset the “trip” clock if you are on an Annual Multi-Trip policy.
- Check Policy Wording: Does it say “Return to Country of Residence” or “Country of Citizenship”? You want Citizenship.
- Buy Expat Insurance: If you really live in Bali, stop buying travel insurance. Buy Expat insurance. Then you get treated in Bali properly and don’t need to be flown home.
FAQ
If I am evacuated, do I lose my visa?
If you are flown out, you leave. You have to re-apply to enter again.
Can I be repatriated to a third country (e.g., boyfriend’s country)?
No. Home or nothing.
Does my NHS coverage expire?
Yes. If you are out of the UK for >3-6 months, you technically lose ordinary residence status and might be charged for NHS care (though emergency care is usually free). Check NHS rules.