What to do in case of cross-border work? - Regulations
Where are you insured as a cross-border worker? What if you need medical care in a country other than your country of work or residence? And what about your dependents?
You are a cross-border worker if:
- you live in a member state of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland;
- and works in another of those countries;
- you go home at least once a week.
Are you moving abroad? Then other regulations apply.
Where are you insured?
As a cross-border worker, you are insured in the country where you work (your country of employment). There you pay social security contributions.
You must also be insured in your country of residence0
- You will receive the S1 form from the insurance institution in your country of employment.
- You can use this S1 form to join in your country of residence. If you live in Belgium, submit this form to CM.
- This means that you have the same rights to reimbursement in your country of residence as any other insured person.
Where are your dependent family members insured?
Do you have dependent family members? They are obliged to join in the country where you live and in the country where you work .
They have all rights to reimbursement of healthcare in the country of residence .
In your country of employment they are entitled to health care according to the social security system that applies there, if that country grants the right of return. Thanks to European rules, many countries grant this right of return to your dependent family members. Only Denmark, Ireland, Iceland, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom do not.
What if you need medical care abroad?
During temporary stay
If you go abroad temporarily as a cross-border worker, for example when traveling, you must take the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you. This also applies to your dependent family members.
You apply for the EHIC from the insurance institution of your country of employment, also for your dependents. You do not need the card in your country of work or residence.
Planned treatment
As a cross-border worker, you require prior permission for planned treatment in an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. This also applies to your dependent family members.
- Send your application to your insurance institution in your country of residence.
- This person will process the application and submit it to your insurance institution in your country of employment.
- If your insurance institution in your country of employment agrees, it will provide you with an S2 form that proves that you have prior permission.
The insurance institution of your country of employment must give you permission if these three conditions are met:
- the treatment is a benefit in accordance with the legislation of your country of residence;
- you cannot be treated in your country of residence within a medically justified period;
- you cannot be treated in your country of employment within a medically justified period.
If you receive permission, you are entitled to medical care according to the laws of the country where you are being treated.
Dependent family members who do not live with you, but in Finland, Ireland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom or Sweden, will receive prior permission from the insurance institution of their country of residence .