The general rule for EU/EFTA countries is that health insurance has to be taken out in the country from which pension will be received.
Pensioners who only or mainly receive a Swiss pension and their unemployed family members must comply to these health insurance related legal regulations:
| Individuals/insurance location |
Right to choose insurer in country of residence (EU/EFTA) or in Switzerland
|
Insurance from country of residence (EU/EFTA member) |
Swiss insurance |
| Pensioners residing in: |
Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Spain |
Liechtenstein |
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Great Britain, Ireland, Iceland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden |
| Non-employed family members of pensioners residing in: |
Germany, Finland, France, Italy, Austria |
Denmark, Liechtenstein, Great Britain, Portugal, Sweden, Spain |
Belgium, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Luxemburg, Norway, The Netherlands |
Regulations for pensioners with pensions from several countries:
- Pensioners who receive pensions from several countries, of which at least one must be from the country of residence, have to be insured in their country of residence.
- Pensioners who receive pensions from several countries but not from their country of residence must buy insurance from the country in which they were insured longest or to which they made the most contributions.
Individuals who want or have to buy Swiss health insurance will pay premiums to a Swiss provider. However, they have the right to services as available in their country of residence (must be an EU/EFTA member). A local health insurer will attend to their needs in a substitutional manner. Registrations to foreign insurance providers may be made via E 121 form. For emergency treatment within Switzerland, you must fill out the E 111 form. The so-called "Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG" administers coverage aid.
Holders of insurance from Belgium, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands may choose between treatment in Switzerland or their country of residence. Policyholders from other EU/EFTA-countries may only undergo emergency treatment in Switzerland.
For more information, please consult:
Stiftung Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG
Gibelinstrasse 25
Postfach
4503 Solothurn
Tel. 032 / 625 48 20
Fax 032 / 625 48 90
www.kvg.org
info@kvg.org
Policyholders in modest financial situations have the right to lower premiums. Ask the Stiftung Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG if this is the case or if you wish to be freed from compulsory Swiss insurance.
