The document that can save expat retirees thousands
There were 480,906 recipients of the British state pension living in the European Union as of August 2024, according to the latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Many of them may be spending on expensive private health insurance while they live abroad – but one document could mean they can access NHS levels of free healthcare.
Here, Telegraph Money explains everything you need to know about the S1 form and what it entitles you to.
This guide will cover:
What is the S1 form and who should use it?
How and when to make an application
How to use an S1
Healthcare when you're visiting the UK
Do you still need health insurance while living abroad?
Does the S1 cover spouses?
What is the S1 form and who should use it?
An S1 form, also known as a certificate of entitlement, provides access to state-provided healthcare in an EU country, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland – with the healthcare costs covered by the UK.
You can use it if you're retiring to one of these countries, as long as you're eligible to receive a UK state pension. This is because the state pension is classified as an 'exportable benefit'.
There are others, too – meaning you may also be eligible for an S1 if you're eligible for UK benefits while on maternity, paternity or adoption leave and living in a qualifying country. It can cover healthcare for your dependants, too. In this instance, you'll need to fill out form CA8454.
However, as of 2021, you're no longer able to get a new S1 form on the basis of receiving the following:
Disability living allowance
Personal independence payment
Carer's allowance
Attendance allowance.
If you had an S1 form issued before Jan 1 2021, you'll continue to be covered while you're still receiving these benefits, and you may still be able to renew an existing S1 form too.
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