Published: 11.04.2024.
Updated: 16.04.2024.

If you are employed in Latvia or are self-employed, but you have been posted to carry out your work for a fixed period 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) to receive healthcare services in the respective Member State for the duration of your stay, the costs of which will be covered from the funds of the Latvian State budget.

Since you will remain insured in Latvia for the duration of your posting, you must also pay social insurance contributions for the entire duration of this period, as certified by the A1 certificate ‘Certificate on social security legislation applicable to the beneficiary’ (hereinafter – Certificate A1), issued by the State Social Insurance Agency (hereinafter –the SSIA).

Form S1 is issued for a period not exceeding the end date of the posting indicated in the A1 certificate.

Main criteria to issue Form S1:

  • a person is socially insured (employed) in Latvia, but for a fixed period, he or she goes to perform his or her duties in a Member State other than Latvia;
  • a person must indicate in the application the address of the place of stay or place of work in the Member State to which the form is requested.

Example. A person M. works in a Latvian company X, but is posted to Germany for one year to carry out company-specific duties there. The person M. must obtain the certificate A1 from the SSIA certifying that the person M. will remain insured in Latvia. Then the person M. has to apply to the NHS by submitting an application for the issue of Form S1. The issued Form S1 will confirm that the person M. can receive all forms of state-guaranteed healthcare in the Member State in which the person will stay during the posting.

Dependent family members of a posted worker who do not work and do not receive a pension in any Member State are entitled to receive Form S1 when accompanying the seconded worker.

 

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;