Who can apply
You will need to check if you are entitled to a certificate of coverage to continue paying National Insurance contributions in the UK.
If you are, and you reside in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, and you have not already been issued with a healthcare entitlement certificate (also known as S1), then complete form CA8454. Use this to apply for healthcare cover from the UK for you and your dependants.
HMRC will respond to your application with any action you need to take.
If you’re a student
You may be able to apply for healthcare abroad if you are studying in:
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the EU
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Iceland
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Liechtenstein
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Norway
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Switzerland
Find more information about how to apply for healthcare cover abroad (GHIC and EHIC) on the NHS website.
Other ways to apply for healthcare cover
You may be able to apply for healthcare cover if you think you are eligible and you:
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have recently left the UK
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are not working
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are retired
You should contact the NHS Business Services Authority at the following address:
Overseas Healthcare Services
NHS Business Services Authority
Bridge House
152 Pilgrim Street
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 6SN
Telephone: 0191 218 1999
Outside UK: +44 191 218 1999
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
If this does not apply to you, find information about how to access healthcare in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.
What you will need
If you or an agent complete the application you’ll need to say if you:
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have changed your name ― if so what your previous name was
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are a national of the EU, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland or Liechtenstein, and if you have an EU Settlement Scheme status
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have more than one nationality ― you’ll need to give details about how you got each one
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have a family member who is a national of the EU, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland or Liechtenstein ― you’ll need their details including their relationship with you
If you’re an agent
If you’re an agent working on behalf of your client, your client needs to fill in an authorising your agent (64-8) form.
You should submit the completed form with your CA8454 application form.
How to apply
Apply online
You’ll need to have a Government Gateway user ID and password. If you do not have a user ID, you can create one the first time you sign in.
You do not have to fill in the form in one go. You can save your answers and return later.
If you’re an individual, employer or agent:
Apply by post
Get all of your information together before you start. You will fill this form in online and you cannot save your progress.
Print and post it to HMRC, using the postal address shown on the form.
This file may not be suitable if you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader). If you need a more accessible format, email different.format@hmrc.gov.uk and tell us what format you need. It will help if you tell us what assistive technology you use. Read the accessibility statement for HMRC forms.
Email HMRC to ask for this form in Welsh.
Check when you can expect a reply
You can check when you can expect a reply from HMRC about the application that you have submitted.
Published 2 November 2020
Last updated 1 December 2023 +show all updates
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Change to the application process for applying for a certificate of coverage where you will now also receive a healthcare entitlement certificate if you qualify. Removed mariner section as an applicant does not need to provide this any longer. A new section has been included so that you can check when you can expect a reply from HMRC after you've applied.
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Information about applying for healthcare certificate (including a Portable Document S1, E106 or E109) in the EU, European Economic Area, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland has been added.
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Information about applying for healthcare cover in the EU, European Economic Area or Switzerland if you're a student or you're retired has been added.
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Changes have recently been made to this page under the section headed ‘How to Apply’. The changes relate to any additional information you may need to provide with your CA8454 application.
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More information about what you need to include has been added to the 'If you’re a mariner' section.
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This has been updated following the announcement of the UK’s deal with the EU. Use the online service or postal form to apply for a Portable Document S1, E106 or E109 in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland or Liechtenstein.
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First published.
