Getting an S1 certificate from the UK for healthcare in poland

Has anyone got one of these? If so, how long did it take?

On a similiar point,

I have read about "optymalizacja zus" companies in the UK, where you can get reduced zus by paying NI contributions in the UK. Anyone done this to?

Can I ask what you're planning to do in Poland and how long you'll be here?

Essentially, wanted to setup a internet marketing company.

So you mean you plan to move here? If so, you're going to need to get ZUS sorted over here (especially given the views some Polish hospitals have about treating people who can't give them valid ZUS paperwork).

You can try it, sure. But they will come down on you like a tonne of bricks if they catch you - and it's much more hassle to use the EHIC card than it is to simply pay ZUS.

How does "optymalizacja zus" companies work exactly, am i an employee in the uk for some company?

Not true. I have used the EHIC card on several occasions - most recently in September for treatment for my daughter. No hassle whatsoever.

You were lucky. Apart from anything else, your EHIC is only for British residents: as you live in Poland, the hospital shouldn't be accepting it (unless you're retired or on UK benefits).

No, they just register you as self employed in the UK and charge you a nice whack of money for doing so. Still cheaper than being self employed in Poland, however. Also worth pointing out that no-one takes this kind of company seriously - if you're doing business with Poles, they will expect a Polish company.


Very lucky. It worked for me in the past, too - but all it would take would be one administrator questioning it and you'd have issues. A clued up administrator in Poland would question your residency, especially if you couldn't prove that you were UK resident at the time. It's also worth pointing out that if the UK figured out that you were using it while resident abroad, they'd go after you for the amount paid - which could be considerable amounts of cash.

Whats the point of that? Couldnt you just do that yourself? or are they just navigating the system for you. I had a look at the S1 form, its 4 pages long too.