Access to healthcare for persons insured abroad

Even if I am not affiliated with a Luxembourg health insurance fund, I can, under certain conditions, receive medical care in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

This page is for me if I am not insured in Luxembourg but need to receive medical care in the country.

In a nutshell

This page provides me with clear and practical information if:

  • I am a resident insured abroad:
    I live in Luxembourg but work in another country, where I am affiliated with the social security system.
  • I am staying in Luxembourg temporarily:
    I am here on holiday, visiting, on a business trip or simply passing through.
  • I would like to receive planned medical treatment in Luxembourg:
    I am insured abroad and I need prior authorisation from my health insurance fund to receive treatment in Luxembourg (S2 form).

On this page, I will find out:

  • Whether I am entitled to medical care in Luxembourg
  • What documents and forms I need to provide
  • What steps to take in the event of illness
  • How medical expenses are reimbursed or covered

Everything I need to know

My affiliation in the country of employment (examples: France, Germany or Belgium)

If I reside in Luxembourg but am insured in another country because I work there, I am automatically affiliated to the social security system of that country.

This country:

  • manages my health insurance;
  • determines my entitlement to benefits;
  • issues the S1 form, or BL1 in the case of Belgium;
  • issues my European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

If my activity abroad ends, my affiliation in that country, and therefore my rights via the S1/BL1 in Luxembourg, also cease.

In principle, in order to remain covered for health care, I must contact the health insurance fund of the country in which I reside, i.e. the CNS, in order to assess my options.

Access to healthcare in Luxembourg – using the S1/BL1 form

To access healthcare in Luxembourg, my country of residence, I must register with the CNS using the S1 (S072) / BL1 form provided by my foreign health insurance fund.

Once the form has been registered:

  • I have access to healthcare in Luxembourg under the same conditions as a CNS insured person,
  • I receive a Luxembourg social security card (single-sided).

As my residence details are already registered via the RNPP, no additional proof is generally required.

If I deregister in my country of employment and wish to remain covered for healthcare, I must in principle contact the health insurance fund in my country of residence, i.e. the CNS, in order to assess my options:

  • personal registration in Luxembourg,
  • co-insurance via a spouse,
  • or voluntary registration in Luxembourg (with the CCSS), which is possible under certain conditions.

Members of my family residing with me in Luxembourg are eligible for coverage.

General rule

As we live in Luxembourg, Luxembourg legislation determines who is considered an eligible family member.

Procedure according to the country of affiliation

General case for an EU, EEA or Swiss country

  1. The CNS sends an electronic request via EESSI (Electronic Exchange for Social Security information) to the foreign health insurance fund (CPAM or Krankenkasse).
  2. Depending on the response from the foreign fund, the CNS finalises the file.

Special case of Belgium (bilateral agreement)

  1. The CNS sends a certificate to the Belgian mutual insurance company.
  2. The mutual insurance company registers the family members as beneficiaries.

How do I report incapacity for work?

If I am ill or have had an accident:

  • I must inform the health insurance fund of the country where I am insured,
  • and send them my medical certificate within the legal time limits of that country.

Luxembourg does not intervene in the management of sick leave when the person is insured abroad.

Access to healthcare providers in Luxembourg

If I fall ill, I can consult a doctor, specialist or any other healthcare professional directly, just like any other person insured in Luxembourg.

I am free to choose the provider I want:

general practitioner, paediatrician, gynaecologist, dentist, hospital, etc.

Reimbursement of my healthcare costs

Once the S1/BL1 form has been registered, I am entitled to the following reimbursements:

My healthcare costs incurred in my country of affiliation

The care I receive in the country where I am insured is reimbursed according to the rules of that country by my foreign health insurance fund.

My healthcare costs incurred in Luxembourg

After registering the S1/BL1 form:

  • my treatment is reimbursed at the same rates and under the same conditions as for CNS insured persons,
  • I benefit from my Luxembourg social security card (single-sided).

My healthcare costs incurred in another country

Coverage of my unscheduled care (urgent or necessary)

Urgent or necessary care received in the EU, EEA or Switzerland is covered by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued by my country of affiliation.

Coverage of my planned treatment

To receive planned treatment in another European country, prior authorisation from my foreign health insurance fund may be required.

Without this authorisation, I may be liable for the full cost of the treatment.

Accessing healthcare during my stay in Luxembourg

During my temporary stay in Luxembourg – whether for holidays, family visits or business trips – I can receive medical care if necessary.

I can consult a doctor, specialist or hospital without prior authorisation, but the terms of coverage depend on my insurance situation:

  • If I have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC):
    I am entitled to medically necessary healthcare under the same conditions as a person insured in Luxembourg.
  • If I come from a country with a bilateral agreement (such as Turkey or Morocco):
    I must present the specific form issued by my health insurance fund.
  • If I do not have an EHIC or a bilateral form:
    I will have to pay the medical costs myself and can then submit a claim for reimbursement in my country of affiliation (according to local rules).

Reimbursement request in Luxembourg

If I had to pay the costs up front and am eligible for reimbursement by the CNS (for example, with an EHIC), I must provide:

  • The original invoice for the treatment
  • A copy of my EHIC or equivalent form
  • The reimbursement request form available from the CNS

Important:

The reimbursement file must be complete, otherwise my request will not be processed.

I am insured abroad and am scheduled to receive treatment in Luxembourg

I am insured in another country but would like to receive treatment in Luxembourg as part of a planned medical procedure.

The S2 form – prior authorisation

Before I can begin treatment in Luxembourg, I must submit a request to my insurance fund in my country of affiliation. If my request is accepted, I receive an S2 form. This document authorises me to receive specific treatment in Luxembourg with my insurance fund covering the costs incurred (excluding the insured portion and non-contractual supplements).

What do I need to do in practical terms?

If I wish to receive treatment in Luxembourg as part of a planned treatment programme, I must first obtain authorisation from my health insurance fund in my country of affiliation.

This authorisation usually takes the form of an S2 form, which allows for the reimbursement of healthcare costs in another European Union country, such as Luxembourg.

To find out the conditions, the documents required and the exact procedure, I must contact my local health insurance fund directly.

Once I have obtained the S2 form:

  1. I submit it to the CNS and to the healthcare provider in Luxembourg (doctor, hospital, clinic).
  2. I can then receive treatment without having to pay upfront, as the costs are covered according to Luxembourg rates and conditions, as for a locally affiliated person.

Important: the CNS can only intervene if the S2 form has been issued and presented before the start of treatment.

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