Cross-border commuter insurance
Do you live within EU/EFTA/UK and receive a salary in Switzerland? Then you are considered a cross-border commuter. We offer you and your non-employed family members BASIS basic insurance for this purpose.
Insurance for cross-border commuters
Take out cross-border commuter insurance now.
Free consultation for cross-border commuters
We specialise in the needs of cross-border commuters. Our advisors are on hand to assist you in per-son, by phone or via video call. They’ll take a look at your personal situation and recommend the best insurance solution for you and your family.
How the BASIS model works
With the standard model, you enjoy a free choice of doctor and direct access to specialists at all times.
Illness or accident 
Treatment by doctor or specialist
Treatment in your country of residence
France
If your country of residence is France, we will arrange for you to be registered with the CPAM (“caisse primaire d'assurance maladie”) responsible for you in France. You should expect the CPAM to take more than six months to process your registration. As soon as the CPAM has processed and confirmed the registration, you will receive a valid insurance card (“carte vitale”) or your existing card will be renewed. Please keep all invoices from French service providers, and only submit them to the CPAM after you have received your French insurance card. We are not allowed to reimburse you directly for invoices from French service providers. If you have any questions about the registration process, please contact your CPAM directly on +33 1 84 90 36 46.
EU/EFTA/UK
If you live within EU/EFTA/UK, we will send you the S1 certificate for international mutual benefits assistance. You should forward the form to a statutory insurance company in your country of residence. You will then receive a local insurance card for processing treatment costs in your country of residence.
ID issued by Helsana Insurance Company Ltd, to be quoted to the provider in the country of residence: 01562
Insured benefits
Under cross-border commuter insurance, we will reimburse you the following benefits after deduction of the statutory co-payment (deductible/excess/hospital cost contribution).
Choice of hospital
You enjoy free choice among all the hospitals in Switzerland that are included on the cantonal hospital lists ("listed hospitals") but receive no more than the costs up to the rate of the canton where you have your connection point.
Exceptions
- If you need to find a hospital outside of the canton for medical reasons.
- If an out-of-canton hospital is on the hospital list for your canton of residence.
If you are registered as a weekly resident in Switzerland, your canton of residence is your connection point. If you live abroad and work in Switzerland, the canton where you work is your connection point. If you are employed by a temporary employment agency, the canton in which the agency has its registered office is the connection point.
Emergency treatment abroad (inpatient and outpatient)
The Agreement on the free movement of persons (AFMP) ensures that you have access to the same public healthcare services (doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and ambulances) within EU/EFTA/UK as the residents of the respective country. In the event of a medical emergency, you will therefore receive costs equivalent to the social tariff in the country of temporary residence.
In all other countries, you receive the costs of outpatient and inpatient emergency treatment up to twice the amount that would be covered by basic insurance in Switzerland. For outpatient benefits, the tariff of the canton where you work applies; for inpatient benefits, the tariff of the canton in which you have your connection point applies.
If you are registered as a weekly resident in Switzerland, your canton of residence is your connection point. If you live abroad and work in Switzerland, the canton where you work is your connection point. If you are employed by a temporary employment agency, the canton in which the agency has its registered office is the connection point.
Take your insurance card with you when you travel and always have it on you. The uniformly designed back of the card is valid as a European Health Insurance Card and is recognised within EU/EFTA/UK.
Transport
Overall, you receive 50% of the costs of planned transportation to a medical facility for medically necessary treatment, up to CHF 500 per calendar year.
Requirement
You choose a recognised mode of transport, such as a Spitex vehicle, a wheelchair-accessible taxi, a disability vehicle or an ambulance.
Rescue
You receive 50% of the costs of rescue operations in Switzerland, up to CHF 5,000 per calendar year.
You receive the costs of medically prescribed medication on the specialities list. If several medicines are listed with the same combination of active ingredients, the excess can amount to 40%.
Good to know: co-payment only applies if you purchase your medicines in Switzerland.
In an emergency while abroad, you will receive the respective social tariff schedule within EU/EFTA/UK. In all other countries, we will cover a maximum of twice the amount insured in Switzerland.
Treatments in your country of residence
We will send you the E106 form or the S1 certificate for international benefits assistance. You must forward these documents to a statutory insurer in the country where you live and you then will receive a local insurance card to cover the costs of treatment in your country of residence. The co-payment of medical costs is always governed by the rules of the statutory health insurance scheme in your country of residence. You are also subject to the law in your country of residence.
You receive the costs according to the tariff of the recognised specialist for the whole of Switzerland for treatment by federally certified doctors, chiropractors and medical support staff, such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurses, midwives, speech therapists, etc.
Requirements
- The treatment is prescribed by a doctor and listed in the benefits catalogue of the basic insurance.
- The treatment is provided in Switzerland.
In an emergency while abroad, you will receive the respective social tariff schedule within EU/EFTA/UK. In all other countries, we will cover a maximum of twice the amount insured in Switzerland.
Treatments in your country of residence
We will send you the E106 form or the S1 certificate for international benefits assistance. You must forward these documents to a statutory insurer in the country where you live and you then will receive a local insurance card to cover the costs of treatment in your country of residence. The co-payment of medical costs is always governed by the rules of the statutory health insurance scheme in your country of residence. You are also subject to the law in your country of residence.
You receive contributions towards the costs of the following types of complementary medicine:
- Anthroposophic medicine
- Classical homoeopathy
- Phytotherapy
- Pharmacotherapy within traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)
- Acupuncture
The costs are reimbursed according to the tariff of the recognised specialist for the whole of Switzerland.
Requirements
- Your doctor holds a recognised certificate of competence awarded by the Swiss Medical Association (FMH) for these methods.
- The treatment is provided in Switzerland.
Treatments in your country of residence
We will send you the E106 form or the S1 certificate for international benefits assistance. You must forward these documents to a statutory insurer in the country where you live and you then will receive a local insurance card to cover the costs of treatment in your country of residence. The co-payment of medical costs is always governed by the rules of the statutory health insurance scheme in your country of residence. You are also subject to the law in your country of residence.
You receive the costs related to specific examinations for the early detection of illnesses and preventive measures that are prescribed or carried out by a doctor (e.g. isolated vaccinations).
The costs of a gynaecological check-up are covered for women every three years. The costs of mammograms are covered subject to certain requirements. We are happy to provide you with further information by phone.
Requirement
The examination is carried out in Switzerland.
Treatments in your country of residence
We will send you the E106 form or the S1 certificate for international benefits assistance. You must forward these documents to a statutory insurer in the country where you live and you then will receive a local insurance card to cover the costs of treatment in your country of residence. The co-payment of medical costs is always governed by the rules of the statutory health insurance scheme in your country of residence. You are also subject to the law in your country of residence.
You receive the costs of medically prescribed aids and apparatus, such as crutches, blood glucose meters, inhalation/respiratory therapy equipment and compression stockings, up to the maximum amount specified by law.
Requirements
- The medical aids are listed in the aids and equipment list and obtained from an authorised provider.
- You purchase the aids in Switzerland.
In an emergency while abroad, you will receive the respective social tariff schedule within EU/EFTA/UK. In all other countries, we will cover a maximum of twice the amount insured in Switzerland.
Treatments in your country of residence
We will send you the E106 form or the S1 certificate for international benefits assistance. You must forward these documents to a statutory insurer in the country where you live and you then will receive a local insurance card to cover the costs of treatment in your country of residence. The co-payment of medical costs is always governed by the rules of the statutory health insurance scheme in your country of residence. You are also subject to the law in your country of residence.
Check-ups and ultrasound examinations
- During a normal pregnancy, you are entitled to seven check-ups to be carried out by a doctor or by a midwife.
- We will also reimburse you for two ultrasound examinations carried out by a doctor.
- For a high-risk pregnancy, you will receive the costs of all necessary check-ups and ultrasound examinations.
Breastfeeding guidance
- You receive three sessions of breastfeeding guidance from a midwife or specially trained nurse.
Preparing for the birth
You receive CHF 150 per calendar year for
- birth preparation courses run by the midwife for individuals or groups
or
- a consultation with the midwife on the birth, planning and organisation of the postnatal period at home as well as preparations for breastfeeding.
Home birth
For a home birth, you receive the costs in accordance with the applicable tariff or contract of the midwife.
Hospital stays
You receive the costs of a stay in a general ward (multi-bed room), care and treatment in accordance with the standard rate in the canton where you have your connection.
Exceptions
- If you need to find a hospital outside of the canton for medical reasons.
- If an out-of-canton hospital is on the hospital list for your canton of residence.
If you are registered as a weekly resident in Switzerland, your canton of residence is your connection point. If you live abroad and work in Switzerland, the canton where you work is your connection point. If you are employed by a temporary employment agency, the canton in which the agency has its registered office is the connection point.
Good to know
Co-payment only applies if the treatment is carried out in Switzerland.
In an emergency while abroad, you will receive the respective social tariff schedule within EU/EFTA/UK. In all other countries, we will cover a maximum of twice the amount insured in Switzerland.
Treatments in your country of residence
We will send you the E106 form or the S1 certificate for international benefits assistance. You must forward these documents to a statutory insurer in the country where you live and you then will receive a local insurance card to cover the costs of treatment in your country of residence. The co-payment of medical costs is always governed by the rules of the statutory health insurance scheme in your country of residence. You are also subject to the law in your country of residence.
You receive CHF 10 per day for up to 21 days per calendar year for balneotherapy at recognised therapeutic spas in Switzerland.
Requirements
- The spa treatment is medically certified as necessary.
- The spa treatment is prescribed to you by a doctor.
- The spa treatment is carried out at a recognised therapeutic spa.
Treatments in your country of residence
We will send you the E106 form or the S1 certificate for international benefits assistance. You must forward these documents to a statutory insurer in the country where you live and you then will receive a local insurance card to cover the costs of treatment in your country of residence. The co-payment of medical costs is always governed by the rules of the statutory health insurance scheme in your country of residence. You are also subject to the law in your country of residence.
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Free advice for cross-border commuters
Our sales offices in locations close to the border specifically cater to cross-border commuters’ needs.
FAQs
By law, all people living in Switzerland must have basic health insurance. In accordance with the bilateral agreements, this also includes cross-border commuters. Cross-border commuters are people who live within EU/EFTA/UK and work in Switzerland, and whose salary is paid exclusively in Switzerland. Basic health insurance provides all insured persons with the basic medical care they need in the event of sickness and maternity.
You can include your family members in your insurance if neither parent is employed, unemployed or a pension recipient in your country of residence. If you are employed in Switzerland, your family members who are not gainfully employed are also subject to compulsory insurance. This includes minors, adults in education and non-working spouses.
We will send you an S1 certificate for international mutual benefits assistance (this form is sent to you automatically after you take out insurance). You must forward the S1 certificate to a statutory insurance company in your country of residence and you will then receive a local insurance card for processing treatment costs in your country of residence. This card must always be presented before receiving treatment. Please note that you can only be treated by doctors and in hospitals that accept this insurance card. You benefit from the advantage that you do not have to pay any costs in advance. You will only be charged for any excess specified by the law of your country of residence. Co-payments are always governed by the provisions of the statutory health insurance in your country of residence. We cannot reimburse you for any treatments that you pay for yourself.
If your country of residence is France, we will arrange registration directly with the CPAM (Caisses primaires d'assurance maladie) responsible for you in France, so you will not receive an S1 certificate.
For outpatient treatment, you have the option of visiting a doctor of your choice or a hospital from our list. When claiming benefits under compulsory health insurance, you pay a fixed annual deductible of CHF 300, followed by an excess of 10% per invoice (max. CHF 700 per year). Please always present your Helsana insurance card.
For inpatient treatment in a hospital, you are insured at most up to the tariff (according to the cantonal hospital list) of the canton in which you work. When claiming benefits under compulsory health insurance, you pay a hospital cost contribution of CHF 15 per day.
If you terminate your employment relationship in Switzerland and/or become unemployed, you are automatically (and without cancellation, following your last day of work) exempt from compulsory insurance in Switzerland. In this case, please contact us so that we can take account of your situation and needs.
If you retire and stop working in Switzerland, please contact us so that we can take account of your situation and needs.
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