All people who work in Switzerland or reside in Switzerland are required to have health insurance. In Switzerland, health insurance is mandatory for everyone. This applies to foreigners as well as to cross-border commuters who live in a neighbouring country such as Germany, Austria, Italy, or France.
Health insurance is also mandatory for people planning to move their future residence to Switzerland. With cross-border commuter health insurance, you receive comprehensive coverage for accidents and illnesses that meets the legal requirements. You are free to choose your health insurance provider. Health insurance premiums vary depending on your place of work. A comparison of health insurance providers is definitely worthwhile.
As a cross-border commuter, you must register with a Swiss health insurance provider within three months. Cross-border commuters from Germany, Austria, France, or Italy have a right of option during the first three months. This right of option allows cross-border commuters to retain their previous health insurance under certain conditions.
By submitting an application to the relevant cantonal authority, it is sometimes possible to be exempted from the insurance obligation. However, this is only possible if a comparable health insurance exists in the home country that fully covers all illness-related costs in Switzerland.
Cross-border commuters from other EU/EFTA countries are legally required to take out mandatory health insurance in Switzerland as foreign residents. If no health insurance is chosen within the first three months, the responsible canton will select a health insurance provider. This usually results in higher premiums and additional costs for the cross-border commuter. Therefore, it is advisable to select the health insurance yourself.
- Choice of insurance location: Cross-border commuters have the option to take out health insurance either in their country of residence or in Switzerland. This provides flexibility and allows them to choose the option that best suits their needs and preferences.
- Equivalent coverage: Regardless of whether they choose insurance in their country of residence or in Switzerland, cross-border commuters receive equivalent insurance coverage. This means they are entitled to medical care in both countries.
- Coverage of treatment costs: Health insurance covers the costs of medical treatments, medications, hospital stays, and other medical services, both in Switzerland and in the commuter’s country of residence.
- Preventive health services: Many health insurance providers also offer preventive health services, such as check-ups and vaccinations, to promote and maintain the health of insured persons.
- Accident insurance: In Switzerland, employees are automatically covered against accidents by their employer. However, for cross-border commuters, it may be worthwhile to take out an additional private accident insurance that provides comprehensive coverage outside of working hours as well.
- Flexibility in choice of doctors and hospitals: Depending on the health insurance model, cross-border commuters have the freedom to choose their doctor or hospital in Switzerland or in their country of residence.
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