Access to the Slovenian healthcare system

Conditions for Obtaining an S1 Certificate

For British pensioners who wish to obtain an S1 certificate for health insurance in Slovenia, the following applies:

• Eligibility: British citizens who receive a state pension from the United Kingdom and wish to permanently settle in Slovenia

• Procedure: Applications for the S1 form are submitted to the UK National Health Service Business Services Authority (NHS BSA)

• Success rate: Approximately 95% - most British pensioners who meet the conditions obtain an S1 certificate without difficulties

• Required documentation: Proof of receiving a British state pension and documents proving permanent residence in Slovenia.

1. S1 Certificate and Access to Healthcare

The S1 certificate (formerly E121) does indeed enable access to the Slovenian healthcare system under the same conditions as domestic insured persons, but only for EU/EEA/Switzerland countries under European regulations. For the United Kingdom after Brexit, special agreements apply, so the S1 is still usable if issued by the British insurance authority within the framework of an agreement with Slovenia.

2. Residence Status

For registration of the S1 certificate with ZZZS (Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia), permanent residence is absolutely necessary.

3. Registration Process

The process is correctly described:

• Registration of (permanent) residence

• Submission of S1 to ZZZS - key step that activates rights

• Issuance of health card - after successful registration

4. Brexit Context

After Brexit, British citizens must:

• Confirm the validity of S1 with ZZZS, as it is no longer automatically valid under EU law

• Check bilateral agreements - currently a transitional period still applies, but direct verification with ZZZS is recommended

Limitation: S1 does not cover all services, but only those included in the basic insurance of the host country. Special services (e.g., non-urgent procedures) may require additional insurance.

Impact on Pension

The good news is that British pensioners do not lose part of their pension due to living in Slovenia:

• British state pension is paid in full to pensioners abroad as well

• Pension is usually transferred directly to a bank account in Slovenia

• Under the Brexit agreement, pension rights for British citizens who have already moved or will move to EU countries are protected

• Annual pension adjustment (annual increase) is maintained for pensioners in EU countries

Health Insurance with S1 Certificate

With an S1 certificate, a British pensioner in Slovenia obtains:

• Access to full basic health insurance in Slovenia under the same conditions as Slovenian citizens

• NHS or the British system covers the costs of health services

• Must register with ZZZS with the S1 certificate

• However, insured persons must have a Slovenian tax number to conclude insurance and, in the case of health insurance, also a health insurance number

• Health insurance can be concluded up to age 68

• All existing medical conditions are excluded upon conclusion

Limitations and Particularities

• S1 must be renewed annually

• S1 form covers only basic health insurance, not supplementary insurance

• In Slovenia, you must complete the residence registration process to be able to use S1

Obtaining an S1 is an extremely important step for British pensioners with a state pension, enabling them uninterrupted healthcare in Slovenia without affecting their pension benefits.