Published: 11.04.2024.

If you actively work in Latvia and you yourself or your employer pay social contributions to the Latvian budget from your work income, but your place of residence is in another Member State, you have the right to request Form S1 from the National Health Service of the Republic of Latvia (hereinafter - the NHS) in order to receive healthcare services in your country of residence, for which the costs will be covered from the Latvian state budget.

Main criteria to issue Form S1:

  • the person is socially insured (employed) in Latvia;
  • the permanent place of residence of the person is in another Member State, and he or she has notified the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (hereinafter - the OCMA) about this.

Example. A Lithuanian citizen N. works in Latvia and pays mandatory social security contributions in Latvia, but resides in Lithuania. He or she is entitled to receive Form S1, with which Latvia certifies that he or she has the right to receive all types of healthcare guaranteed by the Lithuanian State, which will be paid for from the funds of the Latvian State budget. Form S1 issued in Latvia will have to be registered with the competent authority in Lithuania.

Dependent family members of the employed/self-employed person who do not work and do not receive a pension in any Member State are entitled to receive the Form S1 when notifying the OCMA of their place of residence abroad.

 

How to obtain Form S1

In order to receive Form S1, the following documents must be submitted to the NHS:

If the person is a minor, it is necessary to complete:

 

Submitting the application to receive Form S1:

  • in person, by filling out an application at the NHS Client Service Centre;
  • by post;
  • by email, signing the application with a secure e-signature;
  • using e-address.

 

Important information:

  • The issued Forms S1 are in Latvian and do not need to be translated as they are a single document in all Member States;
  • In order for Form S1 to be valid, it must be registered with the competent national health insurance institution in the country of residence;
  • Form S1 confirms a person’s right to receive state-guaranteed healthcare services to the extent determined by the country of residence.
  • The person is obliged to inform the Service immediately in writing if there are any changes in the information provided in the submission requesting Form S1.

 

Legal basis for issuing Form S1:

  • Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the coordination of social security systems;
  • Regulation (EC) No 987/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 September 2009 laying down the procedure for implementing Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems;
  • Regulation (EU) No 1231/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 extending Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 and Regulation (EC) No 987/2009 to nationals of third countries who are not already covered by those Regulations solely on the ground of their nationality;