S1 form

What it means

The S1 form is a European document that lets a person insured in one EU country use healthcare in the country where they live. On the basis of it, the person registers with a health insurer in the country of residence and receives full healthcare like local insured people.

It is based on the social security coordination rules, under which a person is insured in only one country but can receive care where they live. The insurer of the competent country then reimburses the insurer in the country of residence.

Unlike the European Health Insurance Card, which covers only necessary care during a temporary stay, the S1 is for long-term residence. It is typically needed by cross-border workers, posted employees and pensioners living abroad.

How it works in practice

The form is issued by the health insurer in the country where the person is insured. For example, an employee of a Slovak company who lives in Hungary and commutes daily to work in Slovakia is insured in Slovakia and registers with a Hungarian insurer using the S1.

When an employee is posted abroad for a longer period and remains insured in Slovakia under an A1 form, an S1 can enable them and their family members to receive care where they are staying. Employers should sort out insurance before departure.

A cross-border worker with an S1 can generally receive care in both countries, the country of residence and the country of employment. Family members are covered under the rules of the country of residence, and the form must be updated if circumstances change.

What to watch out for

Changes of job, residence or the end of insurance must be reported to both insurers. If a person no longer meets the conditions but continues to receive care under an S1, the insurer may demand reimbursement of the costs.

The S1 does not deal with cash benefits such as sickness benefit. These follow the rules of the country where the person is insured, and when living abroad the competent institution's instructions must be followed, for example on sending sick notes.