Article 5
Notwithstanding Article 1, Member States whose institutions do not have a health insurance card at the time of adoption of this decision may benefit from a transitional period, which may not extend beyond 31 December 2005. Member States wishing to benefit from a transitional period shall inform the Administrative Commission by 1 December 2003 at the latest. The Administrative Commission shall draw up a list of Member States whose institutions may continue to issue paper forms E 111 and E 111 B, and shall establish the date on which the transitional period requested by them is to end. Until expiry of the transitional period granted to the Member State of the competent institution or of residence, forms E 111 and E 111 B shall be recognised and accepted under the same conditions as the European card by the institutions of the other Member States, which shall inform care providers in their territory accordingly.