Registering the S1 with the INSS for medical treatment in Spain
To register the S1 form you need to take it to the nearest INSS - Instituto Nacional de Seguridad Social (National Institute of Social Security) who will keep a copy and return a copy to the DWP (Department of Work and Pension).
The INSS in Spain look after welfare and other social services including social security and employee / employer's rights and regulations. They are also responsible for benefits and other state subsidies including health care, maternity, paternity, family benefits and school insurance.
Getting refunds for medical treatment paid for in Spain
The INSS is a pretty effective organisation at collecting social security payments and protecting their already over stretched funds. If you have not registered the S1 (E121) form before receiving medical treatment you will be charged for any medical treatment in Spain.
If you find yourself in the position where you do have to pay for medical treatment, you may still be able to get your money back but only by telling the local Spanish sickness office before treatment, that you wish to be treated under EEA rules and you have already applied for your S1 which entitles you to the EHIC card or 'Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea' (TSE) as it is known in Spain. In order to receive a refund, when you receive your S1 you must send your claim straight to the INSS
Important S1 considerations:
- You are not covered for health care until your S1 form has been registered at the local sickness insurance office
- Authorities may refuse to register your S1 until you have received the Residents Certificate (Certificado de Residencia) and even then they may refuse to backdate your registration
- A separate S1 is required for all family members
- Consider private health cover during this period
Web site for the Seguridad Social (English): http://www.seg-social.es/Internet_6/index.htm
