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19-12-2022

This document offers Lithuanian insurance-covered treatment in Europe

Iliustracija

Lithuanian citizens working, paying taxes, being covered by health insurance or receiving a pension in Lithuania, but actually living abroad are already common. Or they might have an insurance coverage somewhere else, but live in Lithuania. Anyone in this living arrangement should procure a document, which confirms their right to treatment in the country of their residence with no additional costs and troubles, and under the same conditions as the rest of the insurance-covered patients in that country. That is the S1 form, issued by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) free of charge.

Insured in Lithuania, but living abroad

Two groups of insurance-covered (CHI) residents of Lithuania and their family members can get not only the necessary medical aid, but also all needed reimbursable healthcare services in any other country of the European Union, European Economic Area, also Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The first group includes people that work (pay taxes) in Lithuania, but live in another European country. The second group refers to Lithuanian residents that live somewhere else in Europe and receive retirement, disability or other types of pensions. These people with the S1 form can receive medical treatment in their country of residence, covered by the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund (CHIF) just as locals.

‘In order to use the guarantee of treatment in the European country they actually live in, the insurance-covered people must do only a few things: declare that they have left the country, pick up the S1 form from their Territorial Health Insurance Fund (THIF) and submit it to register with the health insurance fund, health or social insurance, or another appropriate institution of the target country. Then the NHIF will cover the invoices, received for the treatment of the person living in another country with the S1 form. The person receiving medical services does not need to worry about it.’ says Viktorija Klinavičienė, Adviser of the Population Service Division of Vilnius THIF.

For example, someone working in Lithuania (CHI-covered person) is posted to work in Germany for a year. Before leaving, this person should declare their departure from Lithuania and apply to their THIF for the S1 form. The form then should be submitted to Germany’s health insurance institution. Throughout the year, while the S1 is valid, this person can receive all needed medical services and reimbursable medicine in Germany, while Germany will submit the treatment invoices to the NHIF to have these costs covered from the CHIF funds. Treatment in Germany also applies to family members that have left together, obtained the S1 form and registered, regardless of their age.

Insured abroad and living in Lithuania

The S1 form can be used in a reverse situation as well. Someone working (paying taxes) or receiving a pension in another European country yet actually living in Lithuania (for example, working remotely), can receive medical treatment here just like other CHI-covered persons. The only difference is that the S1 form or its equivalent must be issued by the state, where the person works or receives a pension, while the document itself can be submitted for registration at any THIF in Lithuania. In these cases, the costs for services provided (if they are provided at a medical facility that has an agreement with the NHIF) will be reimbursed by the European country that has issued the S1 form, based on the invoices, submitted by the NHIF. These S1 holders do not need to make CHI payments in Lithuania.

When applying for the S1 at the THIF, you only need to submit an application for S1 and a personal identification document. Applications can be submitted in person, via an authorised person, by mail or electronically (with a safe e-signature). The THIF issues the S1 form and a memo on using it in 5 business days at the latest.

Until 15 December this year, the THIF has issued nearly 1,000 S1 forms to insurance-covered Lithuanian residents, while the NHIF has paid 8.7 million euro from the CHIF funds for the treatment of the Lithuanian insurance-covered citizens in their European countries of residence. Moreover, until the middle of December, our country’s THIF received nearly 8,000 S1 forms (or their equivalents), issued by insurance institutions in other European countries. This year, the NHIF issued invoices for 3.7 million euro to the competent institutions of other European countries for the treatment of their insurance-covered persons that lived in Lithuania with the S1 form last year.

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The NHIF invites you:

Your questions are welcome by email[email protected]or phone: local (8 5) 232 2222, international +370 5 232 2222

Last updated: 16-01-2023

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