Over three quarters of employees would consider moving abroad to help improve their health and wellbeing, according to new research from Aviva UK Health.

The research found that 40% of UK workers would move abroad to improve their health and wellbeing, and 36% believe other countries offer a healthier environment and more varied lifestyle.

However, a quarter are not aware of what state healthcare they are entitled to if they move overseas, and 17% believe they would automatically qualify for free healthcare.

Almost half of respondents (41%) wrongly believe that as a UK citizen they automatically qualify for state-funded healthcare in the EU and Commonwealth.

Over a third of young workers (34%) would not take out additional health insurance if they were moving abroad.

Teresa Rogers, international sales and marketing manager at Aviva UK Health, said: “In the UK we’re in the enviable position of being able to choose to complement the ‘free at the point of delivery’ health services available from the NHS with a private health insurance policy.

“However, in many countries private health insurance is a necessity you can’t afford to be without.

“Healthcare provision varies greatly around the world and even routine medical care can prove costly in countries that don’t offer a similar service to the NHS.