Other agreements

This section provides information on other international social security agreements concluded by Switzerland.

Bilateral social security agreements

Switzerland has concluded agreements with numerous states regarding social security arrangements for persons transferring their place of residence or employment from Switzerland to one of these states or vice versa. Some of these agreements do not apply to health insurance but indirectly affect the health insurance status of posted workers.

Agreements with third countries (outside the EU/EFTA)

Switzerland has concluded bilateral social security agreements with the following states: Albania, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Brazil, Canada (including Quebec), Chile, China, South Korea, the United States, India, Israel, Japan, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, the Philippines, the Republic of San Marino, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey United Kingdom and Uruguay (see attached table).

*Since the agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina came into effect on 1 September 2021, the social security agreement with the former Yugoslavia has been repealed.

New social security agreement with Albania

The social security agreement with Albania came into effect on 1 October 2023. This agreement concerns the AHV, IV and UV areas, with only indirect effects on health insurance.

For workers posted to Albania from Switzerland, as well as non-working accompanying family members, the continued duration of health insurance in Switzerland corresponds to the posting duration specified in the relevant agreement (2 years maximum). If these persons are compulsorily insured against illness in Tunisia, they can apply for exemption from compulsory health insurance in Switzerland, provided that they have equivalent cover for treatment in Switzerland.

Workers posted from Albania to Switzerland, as well as non-working accompanying family members, are subject to Swiss compulsory health insurance. They can apply for exemption, provided that their employer ensures equivalent insurance cover.

New social security agreement with the United Kingdom

The social security agreement between Switzerland and the United Kingdom (UK) entered into force on 1 October 2023. This new agreement, which coordinates the social security systems of the two contracting states after Brexit, has been provisionally applied since 1 November 2021. The legal provisions of Swiss law that apply to EU insured persons therefore also apply in the United Kingdom from this date. The provisions of the corresponding ordinances were adapted on 1 January 2023.

The agreement largely adopts the regulations that were applicable under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (FMOPA). As far as the health insurance obligation is concerned, the place of employment principle applies. Pensioners are health insured in the state from which they receive their pension. However, the specific rule whereby family members of a person insured in Switzerland who reside in the UK must be insured in their country of residence has been maintained. As the agreement with the UK does not envisage the export of unemployment benefits, unemployed persons residing in Switzerland or the UK must take out health insurance in their country of residence.

The certificates of entitlement to healthcare in the other country are the same as in relations with the EU/EFTA (EHIC, certificate S1 and S2). Persons insured with the National Health Service (NHS) present the "UK Global Health Insurance Card" (GHIC) for necessary treatment in Switzerland; a sample GHIC is available on the website of the Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG (see link below > Proof of entitlement). Data is generally exchanged via the electronic system EESSI (Electronic Exchange of Social Security Information), as is the case with EU countries. Further information can be found in the information letter on Brexit dated 1 November 2021 (see below, Documents section).

Agreements with European countries

Switzerland previously had bilateral social security agreements with most European countries. The agreement on the free movement of persons (AFMP) with the EU and the EFTA Agreement have replaced the bilateral agreements with the EU and EFTA Member States. However, for persons who do not fall within the personal scope of the AFMP or the EFTA agreement, the bilateral social security agreements continue to apply - for example third-country posted workers.

Further information

The Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO) also publishes an up-to-date list of social security agreements and information on social security agreements with various countries (e.g. Australia, Brazil, Chile, Canada, Kosovo, Japan, Macedonia, the Philippines, the United States and Uruguay). See the link below.