You might be entitled to healthcare paid for by the UK if you're moving to:
- a European Union (EU) country
- Switzerland
- Norway
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
You can apply up to 90 days before you move overseas.
Your entitlement depends on if you want to live abroad permanently or work outside the UK for a set period only.
You might get help within the EU if you receive a UK State Pension or some other UK benefits.
You'll not be entitled to state-provided medical care paid for by the UK if you move outside the EU.
Living in a non-EU country
Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein
You may be entitled to state-provided medical care paid for by the UK if you moved:
- before 1 January 2021
- on or after 1 January 2024
If you moved between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2023, your entitlement will start from 1 January 2024 at the earliest unless you were within the scope of the Withdrawal Agreement.
Switzerland
If you moved between 1 January 2021 and 31 October 2021, your entitlement will start from 1 November 2021 at the earliest unless you were within the scope of the Withdrawal Agreement.
If you moved before 1 January 2021, you may be entitled to state-provided medical care paid for by the UK regardless of your nationality.
If you get a UK State Pension
You may be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK if you receive a UK State Pension and move to:
- an EU country
- Switzerland
- Norway
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
You can apply up to 90 days before your pension start date. If you chose to defer claiming your state pension to a later date, you can apply up to 90 days before your chosen start date.
To get help, you must apply for a certificate of entitlement known as an 'S1 form'.
If you receive a UK State Pension and a pension from the country you've moved to, you may not get an S1 form. This is because the country you live in is responsible for your healthcare.
If you receive your UK State Pension as well as a pension from an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein but are now living in a different country, the country you paid contributions in for longest time may be responsible for your healthcare.
Apply by contacting our helpdesk or emailing us at S1applications@nhsbsa.nhs.uk.
If you're a Posted Worker
If you're a worker temporarily posted by a UK company to an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, you may be entitled to UK funded health care in the country you're posted to.
Find out more on the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) website.
Flight crew and those working on a vessel at sea can also check their entitlement by contacting HMRC.
If you're a frontier worker
If you regularly commute to work in the UK or a crown dependency, you may be eligible for an S1.
This will be for you and your dependants, if applicable.
Entitlement to an S1 is determined by HMRC.
If you receive benefits
If you live in an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein and receive an exportable benefit, you may also be entitled to an S1 form.
Read more information on GOV.UK about claiming benefits if you live, move or travel abroad.
Using your S1 form
Your S1 will be issued when you:
- are receiving payment of your UK state pension
- have an address in an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
You can use a temporary address. If you need to update your address, contact us to do this.
Your S1 will be issued by email if you’ve given one. The email will contain a link to our online portal for you to download your S1.
If you do not have an email address, your S1 will be issued by post. You can ask us to send it to your UK address if you need it for a visa application.
Once issued, register the S1 form with the relevant authority in your country of residence.
Find out how to register your S1 on GOV.UK.
If you already have a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or UK issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) you should not use it and return it to the UK. You should apply for a new UK GHIC or UK EHIC once your S1 has been registered.
You'll be able to use your new UK GHIC or UK EHIC to access state-funded necessary medical treatment when you visit an eligible country.