Health insurance: Requirement to obtain insurance
People leaving Switzerland to live abroad are no longer subject to compulsory health insurance. However, certain groups of people must retain their Swiss health insurance, while others may continue their coverage on a contractual basis.
Leaving Switzerland to live abroad
In general, when people take up residence abroad, their compulsory health insurance coverage ceases when they leave Switzerland. However, exceptions apply for certain groups of people (e.g. pensioners, cross-border commuters, posted workers) under the Swiss-EU Agreement on the free movement of persons, the EFTA Convention, the new social security Agreement with the United Kingdom (UK) and other international social security agreements.
Voluntary health insurance
Insurers can offer their insured persons who move abroad (in a non-EU/EFTA country and UK) a continuation of the insurance cover on a contractual basis. This is a contract under private law in accordance with the Federal Law on Insurance Contracts.
EU member states
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
Members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland
Further information
Cross-border commuters working in Switzerland
In general, persons resident abroad who work in Switzerland are required to take out Swiss health insurance. Some exceptions apply, depending on the employee’s country of residence and nationality.
Workers on short-term assignments in Switzerland
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.
Workers posted abroad from Switzerland
Posted workers remain subject to the social security legislation of their country of origin. As far as health insurance is concerned, the specific requirements vary depending on the country to which the worker is posted.
Recipients of a Swiss pension living abroad
Recipients of a Swiss pension resident in an EU-/EFTA country or in the United Kingdom (UK) must take out Swiss health insurance. If they live outside the EU/EFTA/UK, they must take out health insurance, not in Switzerland, but in their country of residence.
Foreign students in Switzerland
Foreign students can apply for exemption from Swiss compulsory health insurance, provided that they have a policy offering equivalent cover. The exemption rules for students from EU/EFTA countries are different from those for other countries. Do you have any specific questions about your personal circumstances? If so, please contact the authority responsible for your canton of residence. You can find their details in the following PDF:
Diplomats and international public servants abroad
Public servants and family members living abroad must be covered by Swiss compulsory health insurance.
Tourists in Switzerland
Tourists from EU-/EFTA-countries or United Kingdom (UK) are entitled to receive medical treatment during visits to Switzerland (holidays, business trips). Nationals of other countries must have sufficient insurance to cover the costs of treatment in Switzerland.
Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Insurance Supervision Division
Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
Switzerland - 3003 Bern