Healthcare cover when a relative retires abroad: S1, GHIC and insurance

Moving abroad · 3 min read · Last updated 30 October 2026

Healthcare is one of the first things to settle before a relative moves abroad, because it affects which care homes they can use and what they will pay. Rules depend on nationality, pension and destination. This guide explains the UK S1 arrangement as one example, and sets out questions that apply to anyone.

The UK S1 form

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) says people who receive a UK State Pension and live in, or are moving to, an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein may be entitled to an S1. An S1 gives the same healthcare cover as a resident of the country you live in, with the UK paying the costs. It does not cover private healthcare.

  • You can apply online up to 90 days before you move to an EU country. For Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, contact NHSBSA instead.
  • You need an address in the new country before an S1 is issued. A temporary address is accepted, and you must give your permanent address later.
  • Cover is not automatic. You must register the S1 with the health authority in the country where you live, often before you can register for healthcare or get a medical card.
  • Once the S1 is registered, a UK-issued EHIC or UK GHIC can be used for necessary state-funded treatment on visits to other EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.

If your relative is not a UK pensioner

Other nationalities have their own arrangements, which may depend on pension, residence or bilateral agreements. Ask your own government's health or social security body what, if anything, it will pay for abroad and for how long, and ask the destination country's health authority whether and when your relative can join the public system. In some countries there is a waiting period for newly arrived residents. See care in Spain for an example of a residence requirement.

Private health insurance

If your relative is not covered by the public system, or if you want private treatment, check carefully what a policy offers:

  • Pre-existing conditions: are they excluded, and for how long?
  • Age limits and renewal: can the policy continue as your relative gets older?
  • Long-term and nursing care: most health insurance does not pay care home fees.
  • Emergency transport, especially from rural areas and islands.
  • Language and whether claims are paid directly or reimbursed.

Care home fees are generally separate from healthcare cover. See understanding care costs and care home contracts and fees.

Practical steps before the move

  1. Confirm your relative's eligibility with the relevant health or pension authority, in writing.
  2. Find out how and where to register in the destination country, and what documents are needed.
  3. Ask the care homes you are considering how they handle doctors, prescriptions and hospital care for residents.
  4. Carry medical records and a medication list, with translations where possible.
  5. Review powers of attorney and legal documents. See moving a parent abroad.

Frequently asked questions

Does an S1 pay for a care home?

No. NHSBSA describes the S1 as giving access to healthcare on the same basis as residents of the country you live in. Care home fees are a separate matter, and in many countries residents pay for them themselves.

Can I use a GHIC if I live abroad?

NHSBSA says that once an S1 is registered in an EU country, a UK-issued EHIC or UK GHIC can be used for necessary state-funded treatment when visiting other EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.

What if my relative moves to Turkey?

Turkey is not among the countries NHSBSA lists for the S1. Ask the relevant authorities and the care home how healthcare will be paid for, and consider private insurance.

Sources and further reading

This guide is general information only, compiled from the public sources listed above as of the date shown. It is not legal, medical, tax, financial or care advice, and we cannot guarantee that it is complete, accurate or up to date. Rules, thresholds and prices change and differ by country and region, and some sources describe other countries' rules as examples. Check details with the authorities and care homes named, and take professional advice for your own situation before you act. If you spot an error, please email [email protected] and we will correct it.