Form E111 Cover
Important: The E111 form has been superceded by the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). This page has been retained for historical purposes only.
The Form E111 gives UK residents free or reduced-cost emergency treatment when travelling in the European Economic Area. Please note: Not all UK residents are covered in Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.
Changes to the E111 form
As a result of recent changes to European law a new E111 form has been introduced to replace the old one. If you are planning to travel to one of these countries during 2005 you should apply for the new E111, as the old ones are only valid until 31st December 2004.
The main difference between the old and the new form is that the new form is now issued on an individual, as opposed to family, basis. However, you will only need to complete one application form in order to receive E111s for you, your spouse/partner and children. The new E111 form will be valid until 31st December 2005.
The second major change is that during the course of 2005 the UK will be adopting the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This will be automatically issued to those who apply for the new E111 form and tick the box to receive the new card.
Do I need an E111?
Many travel insurance policies are only valid if you have an E111 form when travelling to an EU country.
Getting treatment in EEA countries and Switzerland
Information taken from the Dept of Health Website - www.dh.gov.uk.
There are arrangements throughout the European Economic Area (EEA) for co-ordinating the health care systems of the member states. Form E111 gives rights to treatment during a temporary visit. You are eligible for a Form E111 if you are ordinarily resident in the UK.
The EEA consists of the 25 member states of the European Union plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
If you or any of your dependants are suddenly taken ill or have an accident during a visit to any of these countries, free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available - in most cases on production of a valid Form E111. Only state-provided treatment is covered, and you will receive treatment on the same terms as ‘insured' residents of the country you are visiting. Private treatment is generally not covered, and stateprovided treatment may not cover all of the things that you would expect to receive free of charge from the NHS.
As a result of an agreement with the EU which came into force on 1 June 2002, the E111 arrangements also cover Switzerland. However, they do not apply to you if you are a Swiss national resident in the UK and going to Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, or if you are a national of one of these countries resident in the UK going to Switzerland. Nationals of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia resident in the UK and going to Switzerland are not covered at present. Form E111 is not valid outside the EEA or Switzerland.
The E111 arrangements apply to stateless persons and refugees resident in the UK. They now also generally apply to Non-EEA nationals lawfully resident in the UK. They do NOT apply to Non-EEA nationals for visits to Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland and private insurance should be obtained. However, Non-EEA nationals visiting Iceland are covered for emergency treatment only under a reciprocal health care agreement between the UK and Iceland. You will need to produce your NHS medical card to get treatment.
Address any enquiries about British citizenship to: Home Office General Enquiries Section, Immigration and Nationality Directorate, 3rd Floor, India Buildings, Water Street, Liverpool L2 0QN, Tel: 0151 237 5200.
If you are working in the UK, but paying social security contributions to another EEA country or Switzerland, you should obtain your E111 from the institution to which you pay your contributions.
How do I obtain a Form E111
To obtain a valid E111, go to any main post office or travel agent and ask for a leaflet "Health Advice for Travellers". Fill in an application form at the back of the leaflet, and the form E111 as well, in accordance with the instructions in the leaflet. The Form E111 will be provided separately by the Post Office. Hand over the completed forms at the post office where the form E111 will be stamped and signed and returned to you. The E111 is free; you will not have to pay for its issue. Keep it safe, preferably with your passport, and carry it with you when travelling within the EEA. REMEMBER, YOU MUST GET THE E111 STAMPED AND SIGNED BY THE POST OFFICE OR YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE IT.
Click Here to go to the Dept of Health website to download a form.
Downloaded forms will need to be completed in black ink and THEN taken to the Post Office for approval.
Non-EEA nationals resident in the UK should NOT submit their E111 application form to the Post Office. They should instead send the completed application together with photocopied evidence of their right to reside in the UK to The Pension Service, International Pension Centre, Medical Benefits Section, Tyneview Park, Whitley Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE98 1BA. Tel: 0191 218 7547, Monday to Friday 08:00-20:00.
| 
