Your Healthcare – State Healthcare in Spain for UK pensioners, S1 form
What is the S1 form?
The S1 form allows UK State pensioners who are residents in Spain to receive UK-funded State Healthcare in Spain. You will also receive primary care, emergency treatment, and hospital care when visiting the UK (find further clarification after the instructions on how to apply and register the S1 form in this guide).
How do I request the S1 form?
The application form for the S1 form is provided by the Overseas Healthcare Services from the NHS. The form, as well as more information, can be requested by phone at:
NHS Overseas Healthcare Services
Telephone: +44 (0)191 218 1999
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Saturday, 9am to 3pm
You can also request your S1 form online. You will need to write your request to the following email s1applications@nhsbsa.nhs.uk
We have checked with the relevant authorities and you will be asked for the following;
Your National Insurance number
The date that you moved to Spain
The date you will reach State retuirement Age.
How do I register my S1 form with the Spanish authorities?
You can register your S1 form electronically at the INSS website without needing a digital certificate or a digital signature.
Before starting, make sure you have the following documents saved in your computer:
Scanned S1 Form.
Completed application form. You can download it here.
Certificate of residence/TIE, or favourable resolution from Extranjería.
Passport.
Census Certificate/ Padrón (Certificate proving register at the local Town Hall).
If applying for a dependant, proof of relationship.
Even if you send your documents online, the INSS might require you to book an appointment if they need further information, which you can do here.
Registration process
You can access the INSS registration website through this link. If you already have the application form completed and saved on your computer, press “Enviar solicitud”. If you haven’t completed the application form yet, you can download it by pressing “Descargar Formulario”.
After pressing “Enviar Solicitud”, you will need to confirm your personal details with the system. First, you will need to provide an email address (1). If you are applying as a representative of someone else, tick the dedicated box confirming it so (2). After writing down your email address, you will need to click on“Confirmar Correo” (3).
Your S1 form.
Your residency favourable resolution issued by Extranjería (in case the police haven’t issued your TIE yet)
Proof of relationship to the dependant, if applicable.
Empadronamiento.
Resolution
After sending in your application, you can consult its progress or upload additional documents by clicking “Ya he presentado una solicitud y quiero conocer su estado y/o aportar más documentación” on the main site of the S1 registration.
The INSS will contact you when the application is resolved, and might request you to book an appointment with an INSS office in case they need further information.
The Provisional Replacement Certificate
This certificate can be used if you need health care in the following circumstances:
If you are an S1 form holder, who has applied for residency (or are currently waiting for an appointment) but have not registered your S1 at the INSS because you are waiting for your residency paperwork to be completed. For this reason you have not registered at a health centre either.
If you are in this situation, and you need to access necessary medical care, you can call the Overseas Healthcare Service – OHS (+44 191 218 1999) and ask for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) to cover any immediate treatment you need. The OHS may require some additional information in order to issue you with a PRC, such as the name of the hospital or health centre. The Provisional Replacement Certificate should be presented at your local health centre or A&E department at the hospital at the point at which you access treatment.
If I get an S1 form, can I still access NHS healthcare when visiting the UK?
If you have a UK issued S1 which you’ve registered in the Member State you’re now living in and are visiting the UK, from 1 January 2024 you can get free NHS treatment in England.
Any S1 holder wanting to access NHS treatment in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland must check with the relevant NHS authority.
If you’re asked to show evidence when accessing treatment in the UK, you can show either:
your UK issued and registered S1 certificate
verification you were issued an S1 from NHS Overseas
NHS charges must be paid where they apply to ordinary UK residents, such as prescription charges in England.
UK issued S1 holders seeking pre-planned treatment in England, must make arrangements for that treatment with relevant providers in England. This may include any waiting period, assessments, or referral processes which may apply, and sharing of any medical information to help ensure continuity of care
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