Since the bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the EU were implemented, cross-border commuters and their non-employed family members living in Germany, France, Italy or Austria have been able to choose between foreign and Swiss health insurance. According to a statement made by the Federal Office for Social Insurance (FOSI), current cross-border commuters (irrespective of whether they acquired this status before or after 1 June 2002) had to have made this decision by Aug. 31, 2002. In order to obtain insurance in your country of residence, you must apply to become exempt from compulsory health insurance in Switzerland. Applications are to be sent to the appropriate authority of the Swiss canton in which you work. Negotiations are currently underway to be able to switch insurance companies later (in case of a change in situation like having a family) without changing status as a cross-border commuter. If you are to become a cross-border commuter, you must register for Swiss health insurance within three months. If you would rather carry health insurance from a provider in your country of residence, you must place a request for exemption from compulsory insurance. Cross-border commuters living in Switzerland and working in Germany, France, Italy or Austria must have insurance from their country of employment. Please note: In Switzerland, premiums are calculated per capita. This means that a 4-member family will pay two adult premiums and two premiums for their children. There is a separate premium for cross-border commuters. Swiss health insurers with over 100,000 policyholders must offer these premiums. Regulations regarding termination and notice of termination are the same as for regular health insurance. Policyholders living in modest financial situations have the right to a premium discount. In Switzerland, the canton in which the policyholder is employed is responsible for administering such discounts. Non-employed family members should generally be insured against illness in the country of the working family member's employment or the country this person was last working. Germany, Italy and Austria grant non-employed family members living in their country the right to choose between health insurance from their country of residence or Swiss health insurance. Cross-border commuters living in countries bordering on Switzerland (i.e. Germany, France, Italy and Austria) may undergo treatment either in their country of residence or in Switzerland. Treatment administered in Switzerland is liable to both a deductible rate and retention as well as the Swiss catalogue of service fees for basic health insurance. In the policyholder's country of residence, contributions to costs and claims must be made according to legal regulations in that country. For instance, these holders might undergo dental treatment in Germany - which is covered by insurance - whereas the same treatment would not be covered in Switzerland (in most cases). In order to receive treatment in an EU country according to their health insurance regulations, you must first obtain the so-called Formular E 106 (available in French, German and Italian). You can obtain this from your Swiss health insurance provider. Non-employed family members may only undergo treatment in their country of residence, except for emergencies. However, such individuals may receive Swiss treatment if insured by a Swiss provider and living in either Germany or Austria. Click here for cross-border commuter premiums.