NHS S1 Form Download: Your Passport to State Healthcare in the EU
NHS S1 Form: What It Is, How to Get It, and Why You Need It
If you are a UK citizen who lives or works in another European country, you may have heard of the NHS S1 form. But what is it exactly, how can you get it, and why do you need it? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, so you can make informed decisions about your healthcare abroad.
Introduction
The NHS S1 form is a certificate of entitlement that shows that your state healthcare is paid for by the UK government. It is for UK citizens who live or work in the European Union (EU), Norway, Iceland, Switzerland or Liechtenstein. With an NHS S1 form, you can access healthcare on the same basis as a resident of that country.
nhs s1 form download
Having an NHS S1 form can bring you many benefits, such as saving money on healthcare costs, continuing to pay National Insurance contributions in the UK, and claiming UK benefits while abroad. To apply for an NHS S1 form, you need to check your eligibility, complete an online or postal form, and register it with the relevant healthcare authority in your country of residence.
In this article, we will explain what the NHS S1 form is and who can apply for it, what are the benefits of having an NHS S1 form, and how to apply for an NHS S1 form online or by post.
What is the NHS S1 form and who can apply for it
Definition and purpose of the NHS S1 form
The NHS S1 form is a certificate of entitlement that shows that your state healthcare is paid for by the UK government. It is part of a series of forms that are used to coordinate social security systems within Europe. The other forms include E106, E109, E121 and E123.
The purpose of the NHS S1 form is to allow UK citizens who live or work in another European country to access healthcare on the same basis as a resident of that country. This means that they can use public health services without paying extra fees or joining a local health insurance scheme. The NHS S1 form also covers their dependants who live with them.[^2 Eligibility criteria for the NHS S1 form
Not everyone can apply for an NHS S1 form. There are different categories of applicants depending on their circumstances, such as whether they are state pensioners, posted workers, mariners, or frontier workers. Each category has its own eligibility criteria and application process.
Some examples of eligible applicants are:
UK state pensioners who have paid enough UK National Insurance contributions and live in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland or Liechtenstein
UK workers who are sent by their employer to work in another European country for a limited period of time (usually less than two years)
UK mariners who work on a vessel that is registered in the UK and operates mainly in European waters
UK civil servants who work for the UK government in another European country
UK war pensioners or armed forces pensioners who live in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland or Liechtenstein
In addition to these categories, there are some nationality criteria for applicants in Switzerland. They must be either:
British citizens who were living in Switzerland before 1 January 2021
Swiss citizens who have lived or worked in the UK before 1 January 2021
Citizens of the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein who have lived or worked in the UK and Switzerland before 1 January 2021
If you are not sure if you are eligible for an NHS S1 form, you can contact the NHS Overseas Healthcare Services to check your entitlement.
What are the benefits of having an NHS S1 form
Benefits for healthcare access and costs
One of the main benefits of having an NHS S1 form is that you can access healthcare on the same basis as a resident of the country where you live or work. This means that you can use public health services without paying extra fees or joining a local health insurance scheme. You will only have to pay the same patient contributions as a resident of that country, which may be lower or none at all.
How to apply for an S1 form from the UK
S1 form eligibility for UK pensioners living in the EU
S1 form and healthcare cover in Switzerland
S1 form online application service
S1 form and European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
S1 form and UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
S1 form and posted workers in the EU
S1 form and National Insurance contributions
S1 form and healthcare cover in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
S1 form and Brexit implications
S1 form and residency requirements in the EU
S1 form and family members or dependants
S1 form and state-run healthcare systems in the EU
S1 form and health insurance schemes in the EU
S1 form and patient contributions for healthcare in the EU
S1 form and healthcare cover for students in the EU
S1 form and healthcare cover for mariners in the EU
S1 form and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) guidance
S1 form and NHS Business Services Authority contact details
S1 form and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) information
How to renew an S1 form from the UK
How to cancel an S1 form from the UK
How to change your details on an S1 form from the UK
How to register an S1 form in your country of residence
How to get an EHIC card from your country of residence with an S1 form
How to access emergency healthcare with an S1 form in the EU
How to access planned healthcare with an S1 form in the EU
How to access dental care with an S1 form in the EU
How to access maternity care with an S1 form in the EU
How to access prescription medicines with an S1 form in the EU
How to access mental health care with an S1 form in the EU
How to access physiotherapy with an S1 form in the EU
How to access optical care with an S1 form in the EU
How to access specialist care with an S1 form in the EU
How to access chronic disease management with an S1 form in the EU
How to access palliative care with an S1 form in the EU
How to access disability support with an S1 form in the EU
How to access long-term care with an S1 form in the EU
How to access preventive care with an S1 form in the EU
How to access rehabilitation care with an S1 form in the EU
How to claim reimbursement for healthcare costs with an S1 form in the EU
How to appeal a decision about your healthcare entitlement with an S1 form in the EU
How to complain about your healthcare provider with an S1 form in the EU
How to protect your personal data when using an S1 form in the EU
How to update your EHIC or GHIC card when using an S1 form in the EU
How to travel within the EU with an S1 form and EHIC or GHIC card
How to travel outside the EU with an S1 form and EHIC or GHIC card
What are the benefits of having an S1 form and EHIC or GHIC card
What are the risks of not having an S1 form and EHIC or GHIC card
Another benefit of having an NHS S1 form is that you may be able to get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) from the country where you live or work. These cards allow you to get medically necessary healthcare when you travel to other European countries. You can use them instead of your UK-issued EHIC or GHIC, which may not be valid after Brexit.
Benefits for social security and tax purposes
Besides healthcare benefits, having an NHS S1 form can also bring you some benefits for social security and tax purposes. For example:
You may be able to continue paying National Insurance contributions in the UK, which can help you qualify for UK benefits and pensions in the future.
You may be able to claim some UK benefits while you live abroad, such as state pension, winter fuel payment, disability living allowance, personal independence payment, etc.
You may be able to avoid double taxation on your income and pensions, as the UK has agreements with most European countries to prevent this.
To find out more about these benefits and how to claim them, you can contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), or your local tax authority.
How to apply for an NHS S1 form online or by post
Application process and requirements
If you think you are eligible for an NHS S1 form, you can apply for it online or by post. The application process and requirements are as follows:
Check if you are entitled to a certificate or document that shows that you can continue paying National Insurance contributions in the UK. This can be a Portable Document A1 (PD A1), a Portable Document S1 (PD S1), or a letter from HMRC. You can apply for these documents online or by post.
Complete form CA8454 online or by post. This is the application form for an NHS S1 form. You will need to provide some personal details, such as your name, address, date of birth, National Insurance number, etc.
Provide any supporting documents that are needed for your category of applicant. For example, if you are a state pensioner, you will need to provide proof of your state pension. If you are a posted worker, you will need to provide proof of your employment contract and posting agreement. You can find the full list of supporting documents on the NHS website.
Send your completed form and supporting documents to HMRC. You can do this online or by post. The online option is faster and more secure. You can find the online and postal addresses on the NHS website.
Wait for a response from HMRC. They will