Personal Finance Tips

S1 form: What it is, who needs it and how to obtain one

Emma-Jane Stogdon

30.01.26 (last updated)

Read time 2 minutes

If you’re planning to move abroad, one of the most important things to look into is whether you can access healthcare services in your new country. This is even more critical if you’re at or approaching retirement age.

This is where the S1 form comes in. This is a certificate of entitlement for state healthcare which could help you cover at least some medical costs if you’re a UK citizen moving to an EU country.

But what actually is the S1 form, who is eligible for it and how do you get one? We’ll cover the answers to these questions and more right here in this guide.

We’ll even throw in a handy tip if you need to cover medical costs in other currencies. Use an international Wise debit card and you can spend in 150+ countries for low fees* and at the mid-market exchange rate.

But first, let’s focus on the S1 form.

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What is the S1 form?

The S1 form is a certificate of entitlement to state healthcare, paid for by the UK government. It’s intended for UK citizens who become residents of an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, as well as their dependents.¹

To be eligible for an S1, you must also meet one of the following conditions:

You receive an eligible exportable benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), such as the UK State Pension
You’re employed as a posted or frontier worker recognised by HMRC
You receive the unemployability supplement as part of a UK War Pension¹

Keep in mind that you can’t get an S1 form if you receive a pension from your new country (i.e. because you’ve worked there in the past and are eligible for the UK State Pension).¹

How do I get my S1 from the NHS?

If you’re eligible for the S1 form because you receive a UK State Pension or another eligible exportable benefit, you can apply through NHS Overseas Healthcare Services. You can email them at s1applications@nhsbsa.nhs.uk or call +44 (0)191 218 1999.¹

If you receive a qualifying element of a UK War Pension, you can contact the Veterans UK Overseas Account Team at dbsvets-treatment-oat@mod.gov.uk and ask about obtaining an form S1 for pensioners.¹

Finally, if you’re a posted worker, frontier worker or civil servant, you should apply for an S1 through HMRC. Their helpline for National Insurance enquiries can advise you on your posted worker status and the documents required in order to get an S1.¹

Once you’ve completed the form, you’ll need to register it with the relevant healthcare authority in the country you now live in. It’s recommended to do this as soon as possible after you arrive, as you may need to register an S1 form before you can get a medical card or access healthcare services.¹

Can you download an S1 form?

After you’ve applied and provided the necessary information, you’ll receive an email with a link to a portal where you can download your S1. In case you don’t have an email address, your S1 form will be sent to you by post.¹

Is S1 only for pensioners?

The S1 scheme is not only available to pensioners, but also to posted workers, frontier workers, civil servants and recipients of other eligible exportable benefits from the DWP. These benefits include Contribution-based Employment Support Allowance, Maternity Allowance and Widow's Benefit or Widowed Parent's Allowance.¹

Dependants of individuals in these categories may also be eligible for an S1. However, the definition of a dependant varies by country, so it’s important to check how this is defined in the country you’re moving to.¹

Need to cover other overseas healthcare costs? Save money with Wise

If you need to pay for other medical services or prescriptions abroad, a cost-effective solution could be to use Wise.

When you open a Wise account, you can also get a Wise card covering 150+ countries. Whenever you spend, your money automatically converts to the local currency at the mid-market exchange rate. You’ll just pay a small conversion fee*, or no fee if you already have the currency in your Wise account.

This could be particularly handy in your first few weeks and months abroad. With Wise, you’ll have a low-cost, convenient way to pay for medical expenses in other currencies while you wait for your overseas bank account to be opened.

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Sources used:

1. NHS - planning your healthcare when living abroad

Sources last checked on date: 26-Jan-2026

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