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Other circumstances affecting eligibility

  • Last modified date:
    8 February 2007

Information about eligibility for other groups including people who are planning to live, work or study in an European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland.

UK employed or UK self-employed people working in another EEA country or Switzerland

If you go to work in another EEA country or Switzerland for up to a year, and HM Revenue and Customs confirms that you must continue paying compulsory UK national insurance (NI) contributions, you are entitled to a UK-issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This includes any dependants that go with you. If you are already abroad, you'll need to apply for an EHIC by post and send a photocopy of your E-form (i.e. E101, E102 or E106) as well as your completed EHIC application form. You can get an application form from the EHIC Applications service.

If your employment/self-employment lasts longer than 12 months, you may continue to pay compulsory UK NI contributions for another 12 months, subject to the agreement of the insurance authorities in the country where you are working. For more information, contact HM Revenue and Customs.

If you work in the UK but pay compulsory social security contributions to another EEA country or Switzerland, you should apply for your EHIC in the country where you pay your contributions.

Working for a foreign employer

If you become self-employed or go to work in another EEA country or Switzerland for a foreign employer, you may be required to pay insurance contributions to that country's social security scheme. If so, you will need to get an EHIC from the country you're working in to cover you for any visits you make to other countries. If you currently hold a UK-issued EHIC, you should return it to the EHIC Enquiries service.

Studying in another EEA country or Switzerland

If you are ordinarily resident in the UK but are studying, or planning to study, in another EEA country or Switzerland as part of a UK course, you'll need an EHIC for yourself and any dependants who go with you. You can only apply by post, and must enclose the following information with your completed application form:

  • name and address of UK educational institution
  • address where studying overseas
  • period of study
  • details of qualification that you are studying for.

If your studies are not a compulsory part of a UK course, you will be eligible for a UK-issued EHIC for the first 12 months only. After that you will need to obtain healthcare cover from the country that you are studying in or buy private insurance. Again, you can only apply for your EHIC by post, and must enclose the following information with your completed application form:

  • address where studying overseas
  • period of study
  • details of qualification that you are studying for.

Maternity care

There are special rules if you want to go to another EEA country (or Switzerland) specifically to give birth. You need to write to the Department of Health (or the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland) explaining why you want care outside the UK and enclose evidence from your GP or midwife of your due date. Include your full address, NI number, date of birth and dates of travel. You can also apply if you are not returning to the UK.

Au pairs and nannies

If you normally live in the UK and are going to work in another EEA country or Switzerland as an au pair or nanny, you are entitled to a UK-issued EHIC for the first 12 months only. After that you must obtain healthcare cover in the country where you're working. You can only apply for an EHIC by post, and must enclose a letter from your employer stating the start date of your period abroad.

The Armed Forces

If you are a member of the Armed Forces stationed in an EEA country or Switzerland, you and your dependants are entitled to an EHIC. If you are already abroad, you can get an EHIC application form from your British Forces Post Office (BFPO). If you are stationed in Germany, you will not be able to use your EHIC in Germany.

Living in another EEA country or Switzerland

If you are under UK state pension age and you move to another EEA country or Switzerland to live permanently (but not to work), contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). They will tell you whether or not the UK will pay for your medical treatment in the country you're moving to and for how long. You may no longer be entitled to an EHIC, in which case you will need to send it back to the EHIC Enquiries service. However, you may be able to get health cover from the UK for a limited period on form E106 - contact DWP for further information. Special rules apply if you have an industrial injury or occupational disease. Contact DWP or, in Northern Ireland, the Social Security Agency.

Further help

If your circumstances are not covered here, call the Department of Health Customer Service Centre on 020 7210 4850.

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