Originally Posted by CapnBilly

I agree with Lynnxa my understanding is that it is not issued until you are leaving the UK, and in fact, I think they send it to your Spanish address, on the basis that you no longer have a on address in the UK. I think the original email was from the consulate, so I would suggest you call them in Newcastle for the ultimate position.

If, for some reason, they have changed the system, then, just to be clear, it's valid upto 2.5 years, and this time is from the date you last worked. I note from one of your posts you took early retirement, but I don't know when that was, so you may not get the full period. I think it varied between 18 months and 2.5 years.

Originally Posted by Lynn R

I've just seen this posted in the France forum, in the thread entitled 'Healthcare in France'.

"I spoke to the DWP today about the feared changes to the S1 rules and the call centre lady said they'd had no official notification yet of the new regime. The advice was to apply for and submit an S1 application ASAP. Apparently you can't do this more than 28 days in advance of the date you plan to become non-resident in the UK. It looks like the end of March could well be the cut-off when they get their act together. My planning has taken on a new sense of urgency."

Originally Posted by smileygeorge

Thanks Lynn very good post. I plan to do exactly the same. I suspect France & Spain will have different rules as with the Canaries. Interesting comment though

Originally Posted by Lynn R

I've just seen this posted in the France forum, in the thread entitled 'Healthcare in France'.

"I spoke to the DWP today about the feared changes to the S1 rules and the call centre lady said they'd had no official notification yet of the new regime. The advice was to apply for and submit an S1 application ASAP. Apparently you can't do this more than 28 days in advance of the date you plan to become non-resident in the UK. It looks like the end of March could well be the cut-off when they get their act together. My planning has taken on a new sense of urgency."

Originally Posted by lynnxa

yes - I know of some who had been planning a May/June move - they spoke to the DWP a few months ago & were told that they wouldn't be issuing S1s to early retirees after the end of March

they move here in 3 weeks from now

Originally Posted by Lynn R

I appreciate it won't be top of their list of priorities, but I don't think it's very good that only 2 months before the proposed cut-off date, the DWP still can't give people who are enquiring any definitive and reliable advice.

Originally Posted by lynnxa

I hope for your sake am wrong

if they are issuing an S1 to you now - months before you actually move to Spain - that's the exact opposite of what has happened to everyone else I've had contact with - they were all told that they can't have an S1 until they are on the point of moving/have moved & that it has to be sent to an address in Spain


when I applied for my father's S1 I was also told that from the date of issue he would no longer be entitled to healthcare in the UK - logical really - since you have to be living outside the UK to need one

Originally Posted by tebo53

A friend of mine filled the S1 form in over the phone with the person at the Newcastle office and it was posted to him at his UK address!

Originally Posted by lynnxa

yes - I know of some who had been planning a May/June move - they spoke to the DWP a few months ago & were told that they wouldn't be issuing S1s to early retirees after the end of March

they move here in 3 weeks from now

Originally Posted by Lynn R

I completely agree.

In addition, I think that if you receive an S1form and then do not register it at a Spanish INSS office until some months later, that will reduce the amount of time you would be covered for - ie, if you received your S1 form in March and did not register it in Spain until June, you would lose 3 months' cover.

Originally Posted by smileygeorge

To Lynxx reply duh I do know the Canaries is part of Spain but an official there said as they are a different region a different rule will apply.

I suggest perhaps you speak to you own regional office for correct advice and have a far less patronising tone in your responses to posts. We are all intelligent and most of us have done our homework well in advance.

Originally Posted by CapnBilly

A good example of how to win friends and influence people.

Originally Posted by smileygeorge;11104962[COLOR="Red"

]Actually it goes from your retirement date.[/COLOR] But even if you are only covered for a short time. Better than not being covered. Also you can then apply for convenio especial at a later date.