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What is the S1 form and why do you need it?
If you are living or working in Austria, but you are insured in another EU country, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland or Liechtenstein, you may need the S1 form to access health care services in both countries. The S1 form is a portable document that certifies your entitlement to health care benefits in your country of residence, as if you were insured there. The S1 form replaces the former E106, E109 and E121 forms.
The S1 form is especially useful for cross-border workers, posted workers, self-employed workers, pensioners or civil servants and their family members who regularly travel between Austria and their home country. With the S1 form, you can benefit from full health care in your home country, even while you are working in Austria. You can also use the S1 form to get planned medical treatment in another EU country, if you have prior authorization from your health insurance provider.
The S1 form is not automatic, you have to apply for it from your health insurance provider in the country where you are insured. You also have to register it with a health insurance provider in the country where you live. The costs of the health care services that you receive in your country of residence will be reimbursed by your health insurance provider in the country where you are insured.
Who is eligible for the S1 form?
The eligibility criteria for the S1 form may vary depending on your situation and the country where you are insured. However, some general rules apply:
- You must be legally resident in an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland or Liechtenstein.
- You must be insured in an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland or Liechtenstein, but not in the country where you live.
- You must have a valid reason to travel regularly between Austria and your home country, such as work, family or retirement.
Some examples of people who may be eligible for the S1 form are:
- Cross-border workers: people who live in one EU country, but work in another EU country (for example, someone who lives in Germany, but works in Austria).
- Posted workers: people who are temporarily sent by their employer to work in another EU country for a limited period of time (for example, someone who works for a French company, but is posted to Austria for six months).
- Self-employed workers: people who work for themselves in one EU country, but live in another EU country (for example, someone who runs an online business from Slovenia, but lives in Austria).
- Pensioners: people who receive a pension from one EU country, but live in another EU country (for example, someone who worked and paid social security contributions in Italy, but retired and moved to Austria).
- Civil servants: people who work for a public administration or an international organization in one EU country, but live in another EU country (for example, someone who works for the European Commission in Brussels, but lives in Austria).
How to apply for the S1 form in Austria?
The application process for the S1 form may differ depending on the country where you are insured. However, there are two main ways to apply for the S1 form:
Online application
If you are insured in an EU country that has an online service for social security coordination (such as Germany, France or Spain), you can apply for the S1 form online through your health insurance provider’s website. You will need to fill in some personal and professional details, such as your name, address, date of birth, social security number, employer, etc. You will also need to indicate the reason why you need the S1 form, such as cross-border work, posted work, self-employment, pension or civil service. You will then receive a confirmation email with a link to download your S1 form. You can print it out or save it on your device.
Postal application
If you are insured in an EU country that does not have an online service for social security coordination (such as Austria, Belgium or Greece), you can apply for the S1 form by post through your health insurance provider. You will need to contact them and request the S1 form. You may have to fill in a paper application form with some personal and professional details, such as your name, address, date of birth, social security number, employer, etc. You will also need to indicate the reason why you need the S1 form, such as cross-border work, posted work, self-employment, pension or civil service. You will then receive your S1 form by mail. You can keep it in a safe place or make copies of it.
Once you have obtained your S1 form, you will need to register it with a health insurance provider in Austria. You can choose any public health insurance provider that covers your area of residence. You will need to present your S1 form and your passport or identity card. You will then receive a health insurance card (e-card) that you can use to access health care services in Austria.
What are the benefits of the S1 form?
The S1 form offers several advantages for people who live or work in Austria, but are insured in another EU country. Some of the main benefits are:
Access to health care in your home country
With the S1 form, you can access health care services in your home country as if you were insured there. This means that you can visit your family doctor, get prescriptions, undergo tests or treatments, or use hospital services without paying any extra fees or charges. You can also benefit from any preventive or screening programs that are available in your home country. You will only have to pay the same co-payments or deductibles that apply to residents of your home country.
Coverage of planned medical treatment in another EU country
With the S1 form, you can also get planned medical treatment in another EU country, if you have prior authorization from your health insurance provider in the country where you are insured. This means that you can travel to another EU country for a specific medical procedure or intervention that is not available or not suitable for you in Austria or in your home country. For example, you may want to get a hip replacement in Spain or a dental implant in Hungary. You will have to pay the same co-payments or deductibles that apply to residents of the country where you get the treatment. Your health insurance provider will reimburse the costs of the treatment according to the tariffs and rules of the country where you are insured.
Continuation of social security rights in your former employment country
With the S1 form, you can also continue to enjoy some social security rights in the country where you used to work and pay social security contributions before moving to Austria. This means that you can still claim some benefits or pensions from that country, such as unemployment benefits, maternity benefits, family benefits or old-age pensions. You will have to comply with the eligibility criteria and procedures of that country. Your health insurance provider will coordinate with the social security authorities of that country to ensure that you receive your entitlements.
What are the limitations of the S1 form?
The S1 form is not a magic solution for all your health care needs. There are some limitations and conditions that you should be aware of before applying for and using the S1 form:
Validity period and renewal
The S1 form is valid for a limited period of time, depending on your situation and the country where you are insured. For example, if you are a posted worker, your S1 form may be valid for up to two years. If you are a pensioner, your S1 form may be valid indefinitely. You should check the expiry date of your S1 form and renew it before it expires. You will have to contact your health insurance provider and request a new S1 form. You will also have to register it again with a health insurance provider in Austria.
Possible changes in your situation
The S1 form is based on your current situation and the reason why you need it. If there are any changes in your situation that affect your eligibility for the S1 form, another EU country?
No, the S1 form is only valid for public health care services in Austria or in another EU country. If you want to use private health care services, you will have to pay for them yourself or use a private health insurance policy. The S1 form does not cover any costs or fees related to private health care services.
Yes, the S1 form covers dental care in Austria or in another EU country, as long as it is part of the public health care system and it is medically necessary. However, you may have to pay some co-payments or deductibles, depending on the rules and tariffs of the country where you get the dental care. You should also check the quality and safety standards of the dental care provider before using your S1 form.
Yes, the S1 form covers long-term care in Austria or in another EU country, as long as it is part of the public health care system and it is medically necessary. Long-term care refers to services that help people with chronic or severe health conditions or disabilities to cope with their daily activities and improve their quality of life. Long-term care may include home care, residential care, nursing care, rehabilitation, palliative care, etc. However, you may have to pay some co-payments or deductibles, depending on the rules and tariffs of the country where you get the long-term care. You should also check the quality and availability of the long-term care provider before using your S1 form.
No, the S1 form does not cover cosmetic surgery in Austria or in another EU country, unless it is medically necessary and authorized by your health insurance provider. Cosmetic surgery refers to procedures that aim to enhance or modify the appearance of a person, without any medical reason. Cosmetic surgery may include breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, facelift, etc. If you want to get cosmetic surgery, you will have to pay for it yourself or use a private health insurance policy. The S1 form does not cover any costs or fees related to cosmetic surgery.
I hope this article has helped you understand what the S1 form is and how to use it. If you have any further questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for reading!
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