Working in Europe and Health care.

Deanbark

I have a small business UK based started in 2010, and I am essentially self-employed. I work around Europe, but mainly in Germany I have several English clients and German clients, and since 2016 I now live in Germany. But I pay UK tax, self-assessment and my small business are the UK registered with a UK address.
I use my EHIC card if I need to see a doctor anywhere in Europe, but recently the German health authorities told me I need an S1 if I need to see a Doctor.
My problems, I have been rejected for an S1. No explanation has been given. When I ring HMRC, the call centre staff are very friendly but can offer no advice. Nor can they connect me to an advisor.
I tried to purchase private medical cover in Germany, i.e. join their system as well as paying my UK tax, but I am told I am now too old and I am foreign any insurer cannot accept me.
So the UK will not offer me an S1, and the German authorities tell me it is a UK problem. they need to provide me with an S1
Any advice welcome.

Rhenser

Deanbark wrote: »

I have a small business UK based started in 2010, and I am essentially self-employed. I work around Europe, but mainly in Germany I have several English clients and German clients, and since 2016 I now live in Germany. But I pay UK tax, self-assessment and my small business are the UK registered with a UK address.
I use my EHIC card if I need to see a doctor anywhere in Europe, but recently the German health authorities told me I need an S1 if I need to see a Doctor.
My problems, I have been rejected for an S1. No explanation has been given. When I ring HMRC, the call centre staff are very friendly but can offer no advice. Nor can they connect me to an advisor.
I tried to purchase private medical cover in Germany, i.e. join their system as well as paying my UK tax, but I am told I am now too old and I am foreign any insurer cannot accept me.
So the UK will not offer me an S1, and the German authorities tell me it is a UK problem. they need to provide me with an S1
Any advice welcome.

As I understand it, UK citizens you can only obtain an S1 (formally an E106) for a short assignment abroad i.e. less than 2 years

As you have been living and working in Germany now since 3 years , you are inelligible for an S1. You must subscribe to a local healthcare scheme in Germany.

I do not accept the suggestion that the health care system in Germany does not cater for the elderly, or indeed immigrants, of which we have many and varied.

You should also be paying tax in Germany as you are working there.

00ec25

Rhenser wrote: »

You should also be paying tax in Germany as you are working there.

agreed

"I am essentially self-employed" is a meaningless statement, either you are or are not. If not that implies you operate as a company, in which its tax residency can be questioned. If you are self employed, you are resident in Germany and should be taxed in Germany

silverwhistle

Rhenser wrote: »

You should also be paying tax in Germany as you are working there.

When I lived in Italy I had a private pension taxed in the UK, but getting local health coverage was contingent on having a local contract and local income (as I was not of state pension age)..

Deanbark

Thank you for all your replies.

A little more information, I work around the world, so it's pretty dynamic how long I stay in one country.
But, I may have to consider closing my UK business and opening a German one if I choose to live mainly in Germany. Another issue is that if in Europe it would be beneficial to have an EHIC card.
Re health care, I did approach a primary provider AOK and inquired about the cost, I then tried to apply only to be told I am too old to be taken on. I was shocked, and I hope this is incorrect. Can anyone verify that German health providers have no age limit?

EDIT, the German tax system is already aware of me and I pay Tax in Germany on my paid earnings from my UK business. I am still checking but I do not believe its illegal to have a business based in one country and live in another as long as the appropriate taxes are paid and authorities are aware.

Savvy_Sue

As I understand it, the EHIC is only valid if you are VISITING Europe. DS3, who has moved to Foreign Parts, had to get himself into the national system.

I can't comment on the system in Germany. It may be that you are considered too old to be signed into the system you enquired about - in the UK NI is not payable over a certain age, and I imagine that would impact on one's eligibility to access free healthcare if your situation were reversed.

I'd suggest a forum for expats living in Germany might be more useful?

00ec25

Deanbark wrote: »

EDIT, the German tax system is already aware of me and I pay Tax in Germany on my paid earnings from my UK business. I am still checking but I do not believe its illegal to have a business based in one country and live in another as long as the appropriate taxes are paid and authorities are aware.

you have not said if the "business" is a company or self employment

if you work "around" the world then your company may be able to remain UK tax resident as your pattern would be less conclusive, but if you work and live in another country HMRC need a certificate of tax residency for the company and for that tobe the UK you'd need to be careful that you document the criteria needed to "prove" the company is managed and controlled from the UK given you do not live here

we are currently closing down a client company because she now lives in France and has had her company status challenged