Emigrating: what happens regarding your health insurance?
There are many good reasons to move abroad permanently, such as a job offer, love, a desire to experience something new, or retirement. We are happy to help in order to make sure that you’re well prepared, because there are special contractual and statutory provisions that apply to insured persons who live, reside or work abroad.
Emigrating – the start of a new chapter in your life
As a general rule, anyone who spends more than three months abroad, gives up their accommodation and does not intend to return to Switzerland in the foreseeable future must deregister in their municipality of residence. Those who do not give up their place of residence and plan on returning to Switzerland from time to time must ask the residents’ registration office responsible for them in good time what the reporting obligations are. These obligations vary from canton to canton.
What are your reasons for moving abroad permanently?
Certain prerequisites apply to your choice of health insurance depending on whether you are moving to retire or to work, either as an employee posted abroad or as a cross-border commuter:
If you draw your pension exclusively in Switzerland and emigrate to EU/EFTA/UK, you will still be governed by the Swiss Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG). This means you must continue to have basic insurance in Switzerland. If you draw your pension in your new country of residence, you must take out health insurance in that country.
This does not apply, however, if you move to Germany, France, Finland, Italy, Austria, Portugal or Spain. In those countries you have a choice. If you draw your pension exclusively in Switzerland, you can decide yourself where you want to be insured – either in Switzerland or in your new country of residence. Please refer to the FAQ.
Are you working abroad for a Swiss employer? If so, you are what is known as an employee posted abroad. The following applies regarding your insurance obligation: As an employee posted abroad who pays Swiss social security taxes, you and your non-employed family members remain subject to compulsory insurance cover in Switzerland. This means you can continue to have Swiss health insurance for at least two years, up to a maximum of six years.
Special insurance obligations for employees posted abroad
Depending which country you, as a Swiss citizen, live and work in, different legal and contractual stipulations can apply. Find out the details relevant to the country in question before you leave:
Further information from the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH)
Do you live within EU/EFTA/UK and receive a salary exclusively in Switzerland? If so, you are what is known as a cross-border commuter. 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. The following applies regarding your insurance obligation:
The “place of employment” principle applies:
although you live abroad, you must be insured in the country in which you are employed. This does not apply to countries that give you the right to choose. In those countries, you can decide for yourself where you would like to be insured. Get in touch with us so that we can tell you everything you need to know about what the possibilities are.
Good to know
The question of whether you are still required to have insurance in Switzerland despite relocating your place of residence abroad depends on a variety of factors:
- The country to which you have emigrated (EU/EFTA/UK)
- Your employment status (e.g. place of employment, drawing a pension)
- Your personal status (e.g. employee posted abroad, cross-border commuter)
What do we need?
We need a certificate of departure from your municipality of residence, as well as a completed questionnaire for emigration abroad:
Your health insurer will decide where you can get treatment
If you take out insurance in your new country of residence, you may in some cases only be allowed to receive treatment there. If you remain insured in Switzerland, you can decide whether you wish to get medical treatment in your new place of residence or in Switzerland, and only pay for your health insurance with Helsana.
Important questions regarding insurance
If you don’t keep your health insurance in Switzerland, you need to officially apply for exemption from the insurance obligation. This form allows you to do this:
Form to apply for exemption from the obligation to have insurance in Switzerland
Further information and documents regarding health insurance for pensioners abroad:
Students not in employment are exempt from the insurance obligation if they are only in Switzerland temporarily, if their usual place of residence is within EU/EFTA/UK and they return to their country of origin after finishing their studies, or if they have their place of residence in Switzerland with the intention of remaining in Switzerland permanently and are covered by a statutory family insurance policy within EU/EFTA/UK through their parents.
Form to apply for exemption from the obligation to have insurance in Switzerland
Within EU/EFTA/UK, emigrants with a low income can apply for the reduction of their premiums. You can find all the information on this from the Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG in Olten.
Do you have questions?
We're here to help.