AFMP and EFTA Convention

This section provides information on the Swiss-EU Agreement on the free movement of persons (AFMP) and the Convention establishing the European Free Trade Area (EFTA).

Entry into force

The Swiss-EU Agreement on the free movement of persons (AFMP) came into force on 1 June 2002. It confers on Swiss and EU nationals the right to freely choose their place of employment and residence within the national territories of the contracting parties. A revised version of the EFTA Convention also came into force on the same date.

Adoption of European Regulations on coordination

When the AFMP and EFTA Convention came into force, Switzerland adopted the European Regulations on the coordination of social security systems. Since 1 January 2016 (3rd update of Appendix 2 to Annex K to the EFTA Convention,) Regulations (EC) No. 883/2004 and No. 987/2009 have also applied within EFTA.

Electronic Exchange of Social Security Information (EESSI)

Under new European Regulations, paper-based communication is to be replaced by electronic exchanges among social security institutions (Electronic Exchange of Social Security Information - EESSI). The procedure for the implementation of this system in Switzerland is currently underway.