People resident abroad who work in Switzerland for a short period of time must take out Swiss health insurance. However, certain exceptions apply, depending on the country of residence and nationality or the type of work permit held.
EU/EFTA or UK workers: place-of-work principle
Under the Swiss-EU Agreement on the free movement of persons, the EFTA Convention and the new social security Agreement with the United Kingdom the requirement to obtain health insurance is based on the place-of-work principle. Anyone working in Switzerland, as well as non-working family members, is required to take out Swiss health insurance.
This rule applies to the following workers:
- EU-/EFTA-/UK-citizens with a short-term residence permit (L permit)
- EU-/EFTA-citizens who are working in Switzerland for a maximum of three months and do not require a residence permit for this period (notification procedure), unless they have an equivalent private insurance policy covering treatment in Switzerland.
Exceptions may apply for EU-workers resident in Germany, Austria, France and Italy who regularly return to their country of residence (at least once a week). See the explanation of the option of obtaining insurance in the country of residence under “Cross-border commuters working in Switzerland”.
Beginning and end of compulsory health insurance
EU/EFTA nationals not requiring a residence permit (because they are working for less than three months) are required to take out Swiss health insurance from the date their employment contract begins. If they fail to do so, they can be automatically assigned to a health insurer, with a policy commencing on the date their employment began.
Insurance cover generally ends on the day the worker’s employment ends, but at the latest on the date of his or her departure from Switzerland or death.
EU/EFTA/UK nationals holding an L permit valid for more than three months are subject to compulsory health insurance from the date on which they report to the Residents’ Registration Office. They have three months in which to register with a Swiss health insurer. If they fail to do so, they can be automatically assigned to a health insurer; if the delay is not justifiable, they will be liable to a premium surcharge for late registration. They will also be required to cover the costs of any medical treatment received prior to enrolment themselves.
Insurance cover generally ends on the worker’s departure date reported to the Residents’ Registration Office, but at the latest on his or her actual date of departure from Switzerland or death.
Workers from other countries
Third-country nationals (from outside EU/EFTA/UK) with a short-term residence permit or a residence permit valid for at least three months are required to take out Swiss health insurance.
This requirement also applies to foreign workers (including workers from the UK) whose residence permit is valid for less than three months (such as seasonal workers), unless they have an equivalent policy covering treatment in Switzerland.
Beginning and end of insurance
Holders of an L permit valid for more than three months are subject to compulsory health insurance from the date on which they report to the Residents’ Registration Office. They have three months in which to register with a Swiss health insurer. If they fail to do so, they can be automatically assigned to a health insurer; if the delay is not justifiable, they will be liable to a premium surcharge for late registration. They will also be required to cover the costs of any medical treatment received prior to enrolment themselves.
Holders of an L permit valid for less than three months are subject to compulsory health insurance from the date on which they enter Switzerland. If they fail to take out insurance, they can be automatically assigned to a health insurer.
Insurance cover generally ends on the worker’s departure date reported to the Residents’ Registration Office, but at the latest on his or her actual date of departure from Switzerland or death.
Workers active in more than one country
Swiss or EU/AELS/UK nationals simultaneously pursuing self-employed or employed activities in different countries (EU/EFTA/UK/CH) are subject to the legislation of a single country. For more information, see “Workers in the EU/EFTA or in the United Kingdom (UK) - Simultaneous employed activities in the EU/EFTA/UK or Switzerland”
In Switzerland, the AHV compensation offices are responsible for deciding on liability to social insurance; their decision is also applicable to health insurance. Workers active in more than one country should therefore contact the relevant AHV compensation office.
Last modification 20.06.2023
Contact
Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Health and Accident Insurance Directorate
Legal Supervision of Health Insurance Section
Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
3003
Bern
Switzerland
Tel.
+41 58 462 21 11