In today’s era of increasing mobility within the European Union, more and more people from Poland are choosing to relocate to another EU country for professional, family, or personal reasons. This raises an important question: can you still access free healthcare abroad if you are insured with the Polish National Health Fund?
The answer is: yes – thanks to Form S1.
What is Form S1?
Form S1 is an official document issued by the national health insurer confirming that a person insured in Poland is entitled to access public healthcare services in another EU country.
This document forms part of the EU regulations on the coordination of social security systems, aimed at ensuring the free movement of individuals without losing the right to healthcare.
Who can benefit from Form S1?
Form S1 may be issued to the following persons:
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Individuals insured in Poland who permanently move to another EU, EEA country, or Switzerland,
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Entrepreneurs conducting business activity in Poland who relocate abroad but continue to pay health contributions to ZUS,
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Pensioners residing in another EU country and receiving a pension from Poland,
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Family members of a person insured in Poland, if they reside in another Member State.
Important: You cannot be simultaneously health insured in two EU countries. This means that if you pay health contributions in Poland, you cannot (and do not need to) pay them additionally abroad.
How does Form S1 work?
After obtaining Form S1 from your insurer, you must register it with the appropriate health institution in the country you are moving to – for example, with a German health insurance fund (Krankenkasse), the Irish HSE, the French CPAM, the UK (NHS) etc.
Once registered, you gain full access to the local public healthcare system – just like any citizen of that country, but without having to pay double contributions. Medical treatment, doctor visits, hospital care – all of this is available free of charge, as your insurance coverage is provided by NFZ.
Real-life example:
Mrs. Anna runs a sole proprietorship in Poland, pays ZUS contributions, but decided to move with her family to Germany. By obtaining Form S1, she was able to legally register with a German health insurance fund and access the German healthcare system without any additional costs. She continues her business in Poland, does not pay double contributions, and her children receive free medical care and vaccinations in Germany.
What does treatment abroad under Form S1 cover?
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Access to general practitioners and specialists,
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Hospital and outpatient treatment,
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Maternity and paediatric care,
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Reimbursed prescriptions,
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Rehabilitation and long-term care.
All of these are available under the same conditions as for citizens of the given country – because your Polish NFZ insurance is recognised throughout the EU.
How to obtain Form S1? Leave it to the specialists!
Obtaining Form S1 can be time-consuming and may require contact with several institutions – the NFZ, ZUS, tax offices, and the foreign health authority for registration.
At MedicalAdvisor.pl, we handle the entire process comprehensively:
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We verify your eligibility for Form S1,
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We prepare a complete application to the NFZ,
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We liaise with the relevant authorities,
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We prepare the necessary documents for registration abroad (Germany, Ireland, France, Spain, Austria and others),
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We support you at every stage – until successful registration in the foreign healthcare system.
We operate fully online – no need to wait in queues or visit offices in person. With us, the process is efficient, professional, and fully compliant with EU regulations.
Why is it worth having Form S1?
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Cost-saving – no need to pay health contributions in two countries,
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Legality – you act in full compliance with EU law,
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Security – you are entitled to full healthcare in the country you live in,
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Convenience – you don’t have to give up your business in Poland,
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Access to treatment – for both you and your family.
If you run a business in Poland and plan to live in another EU country, Form S1 is your key to seamless and legal access to healthcare abroad.
Avoid insurance issues, don’t overpay – let MedicalAdvisor.pl handle the entire process for You.
Contact us today for a free consultation regarding Form S1!
📞 +48 607 871 284
📧 kontakt@medicaladvisor.pl
