Probably going AE but should I get an S1 as a precaution?

Hi All


Wasn't sure where to post this question really but as it relates to moving out I thought here would be OK especially as Trehane has had such good advice. Let me now if you think I should post it elsewhere.


As you know I am moving out on August 17th. I am going to (have to) do some freelance work and a couple of uk contacts, including my current employer, have indicated they may have some remote work for me to do. However, i won't really know if this will work or how quickly. My other alternative is to return to the UK as and when to do short term contracts.


If I do the remote working thing in France then I will register as an AE. I am keen to do this before September as I know there are rule changes coming up. If I do this then I will be with RSI and can cover OH as an "ayant droit".


At the moment we have a workers s1 which gives OH a carte vitale through CPAM. It has been a struggle to get the CV. The workers S1 expires 1 December and his current CV expires 19 September. It took us 6 months to get the CV sorted. Of course, this set up is of no use to me. I am still in the NHS with EHIC card and travel insurance, but that set up is no use after August 17th.


I could get a normal S1 which would cover both of us for up to 2 years and I wondering if I should do this anyway or whether I should just go straight in for the AE/RSI as CPAM are bound to want to start everything again....... fortunately I think we have got just about every conceivable document translated (except the pet passport!).


I am also not sure what happens if I ask Newcastle for an S1 and then come back to the UK to work. Has anyone else experienced this, it must be quite common?

Hi Jane

I am under pension age as is my OH - you can get an S1 at any age based on your NI contributions in UK if you have enough and I have many years and have paid a lot, but it only lasts for 2 years max. That is the type of S1 I am asking about.

I suppose what I really want to know is what people do who work in both countries but on an ad hoc basis (and want to be legit!). We will have no UK address and I am not comfortable with living under the radar anyway.

Hi Liz, you don't mention your age, but an S1 is only available to someone receiving a UK State pension. eg. I had my S1 from Newcastle and my husband became a dependant on my Carte Vitale until he receives his own pension at age 65.

The form S1 covers you for as long as you live in France.

Please make sure that you keep your copy of the S1, as you will need it for the tax authorities, or you will find yourself paying mnore cotisations.