Published October 9, 2025
Health coverage changes with your length of stay and employment. Use the decision tree below to register correctly and avoid unpaid bills.
• Stay < 12 months + insured in home country → EHIC usually OK for necessary care.
• Employee in host country → register in local system (e.g., Ameli FR, Krankenkasse DE, Seguridad Social ES).
• Pensioner with S1 → register in host country with S1 from home insurer.
• Freelancer/remote → check local rules; consider private international cover until registered.
ID, proof of address, employment/contract or S1, birth certificate (sometimes), bank details for reimbursements, vaccination record for kids.
Search official directories; ask for doctors accepting new patients. Bring IDs and old prescriptions. Ask the GP to update your electronic health record.
Carry generic names; some brands differ. Ask for local equivalents and dosage. Keep receipts for reimbursements.
Know the emergency number (112 in EU). Cities offer low-cost counseling via municipal or university services; ask your GP for referrals.
"Hello, I've just moved to [city] as an employee/freelancer. Could you confirm the documents and the office where I should register? I would like to receive my health number as soon as possible."
Long-term or planned care usually requires local registration. Don't rely on EHIC alone.
Private is fast for the gap period; local is the sustainable solution once eligible.
For more practical insights on this topic, explore our related articles:
Conclusion: Register early, pick a GP, and keep every receipt. Once your coverage is active, daily life opens up—you can focus on living, not paperwork.
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Jules Guerini is a European expat guide sharing practical, tested advice for navigating life abroad. From admin to housing to healthcare, he focuses on simple strategies that actually work. Contact: info@expatadminhub.com
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