Studying, working and living in another EEA country or Switzerland

Specific advice and guidance for people studying, working temporarily or permanently or going to live permanently in another EEA country or Switzerland.

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Studying in another EEA country or Switzerland

If you are normally resident in the UK but are studying in another EEA country, as an integral part of a recognised UK course, an E111 is needed for you and for each of the dependants who accompany you. If you are in the UK, the form can be obtained from the Post Office or, if you are abroad, please apply to:

If the studies are not a compulsory part of a UK course, students are covered by an E111 for up to 12 months if it is a one-year course. However, if you know in advance that a voluntary course will last longer than a year, you are not entitled to an E111 at all, but must get cover in the country you are studying in. Please give course details when applying for Form E111.

You will only be entitled to use an E111 in Switzerland if you are an EU national. If you are a Swiss national resident in the UK, you will only be covered in EU countries and Switzerland, not in Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway. Non-EEA nationals resident in the UK can only be covered in EU countries (except Denmark).

If the studies are part of a course leading to a qualification awarded by another EEA country, you must become insured in the country of study.

Students on work experience

A student, as described above, who is studying in another EEA country as an integral part of a recognised UK course, and who is undertaking some work that specifically relates to his or her studies, is entitled to Form E111 if the country they go to provides no compulsory cover. If you are in the UK, the form can be obtained from the Post Office or, if you are abroad, please apply to the above Inland Revenue address.

Working temporarily in another EEA country or Switzerland for a UK employer or as a self-employed person

If you are an EEA national and go to work in another EEA country for up to a year, and it has been confirmed by the Inland Revenue Centre for Non-Residents that you (and your employer if you are an employee) continue to pay UK National Insurance contributions, you are entitled to Form E111.

You will only be entitled to use an E111 in Switzerland if you are an EU national, and if you are a Swiss national you will only be covered in EU countries.

Non-EEA nationals resident in the UK can only be covered in EU countries (except Denmark), not in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

Those employed on a temporary posting, and any dependants who accompany them, are entitled to treatment required for any condition during the posting, using an E111. If you are in the UK, the form can be obtained from the Post Office or, if you are abroad, apply to the Inland Revenue address above.

If your employment/self-employment unexpectedly lasts longer than 12 months, and the appropriate insurance authorities of the EEA country in which you are working agree, you may remain under the UK scheme for a further period of not more than 12 months. For more information, please write to the Inland Revenue address above.

Other circumstances:

Au pairs and nannies

If you are normally resident in the UK and are going to work in another EEA country or Switzerland as an au pair or nanny for up to 12 months, you may be entitled to Form E111. Apply to the Post Office or, if you are already abroad, apply to the Inland Revenue address above.

Service personnel

If you are a member of the Armed Services, you and your dependants are each entitled to an E111. However, you cannot use your E111 in Germany if you are stationed there. If you are stationed abroad, you can obtain an application form from your British Forces Post Office (BFPO). If you are in the UK, the form can be obtained from the Post Office.

Working permanently in another EEA country or Switzerland

If you go to work in another EEA country or Switzerland for a foreign employer, Form E111 is not appropriate, as you will normally become insured in the country in which you work.

Write to the Inland Revenue address above and give your full name; your address in the UK and abroad; your National Insurance number; and your proposed date of departure. Further information is available in Department for Work and Pensions leaflet SA29, available from local Jobcentre Plus/social security offices.

Living in another EEA country or Switzerland

If you decide to live permanently in another EEA country or Switzerland, or to take up work there, you are not entitled to a UK-issued Form E111. Send any Form E111 you hold to the Department for Work and Pensions, The Pension Service, International Pension Centre, Medical Benefits Section (the address is in the section on claiming refunds on the page at the link below) with full details of your circumstances. They will advise you as to whether you are entitled to health care cover in your new country of residence at UK expense and, if appropriate, issue you with a different form.

If you have an industrial injury or occupational disease, and intend taking up residence in another EEA country or Switzerland, special rules apply. Write for details to the following:

Or, for Northern Ireland: