Health insurance for Swiss citizens living abroad: What applies and which solution suits your situation?
Emigrating from Switzerland – a new chapter full of opportunities. But before you leave, there is one key question: how do you ensure that you have the right health and accident insurance cover abroad? We explain what applies after you deregister from Switzerland and which solution suits you best depending on your destination country, employment situation and stage of life.
As soon as you deregister your residence in Switzerland, your Swiss basic and supplementary insurance policies will, in most cases also come to an end. What applies thereafter depends primarily on where you are emigrating to and whether you are working abroad, being posted by a Swiss employer, receiving a Swiss pension or moving abroad with your family.
“Many people wait until they have arrived abroad and then find themselves without adequate cover. We recommend that you sort out your insurance situation ideally three to six months before departure.” — Giovanni Bretti, Head Private Clients & Marketing, ASN
What applies regarding health insurance after deregistering from Switzerland?
Anyone who deregisters their residence in Switzerland is generally no longer subject to compulsory health insurance in Switzerland (KVG/LaMal). However, there are important exceptions, such as for expatriates, cross-border workers and certain pensioners within the EU/EFTA/UK.
Whether you can remain insured in Switzerland or need a new solution depends primarily on these three questions:
Where are you moving to?
Different rules apply within the EU/EFTA/UK than outside Europe. It is particularly important to know whether social security agreements exist between Switzerland and your new country of residence.
Where are you working?
If you are working abroad, the place of employment is often the deciding factor. However, if you are posted by a Swiss employer or continue to work in Switzerland, you probably remain subject to compulsory Swiss insurance (KVG/LaMal).
Do you receive a Swiss pension?
Special rules apply to pensioners depending on their country of residence. Anyone who receives only a Swiss pension and emigrates to the EU/EFTA/UK generally remains subject to compulsory health insurance in Switzerland (KVG/LaMal). In certain countries, there is also a right of option – that is, the choice of whether to remain insured in Switzerland or take out local cover.
In short: health insurance for Swiss nationals living abroad is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Your personal situation is always the deciding factor.
What health insurance options are available when emigrating?
There are essentially three options: remain insured in Switzerland, take out local health insurance in your destination country, or choose an international health insurance. Depending on your destination country and your situation, one or more of these options may be suitable for you.
Option
When is this relevant?
What you should bear in mind
Remaining insured in Switzerland
In special cases such as secondment, cross-border commuting or certain pension situations
Not possible for every emigration and often subject to specific conditions
Local health insurance
If insurance is compulsory in the destination country and/or a simple basic solution is desired
Quality, benefits, language, service and access to specialists are often severely limited
International health insurance
For ‘long-term expats’, families, pensioners outside the EU/EFTA/UK or mobile individuals with high expectations regarding service and quality
Flexible cover with private status, regionally or worldwide depending on the tariff (including for treatment in Switzerland)
The right solution depends on the rules applicable in your destination country and the cover and service you need and expect in an emergency.
Which health insurance for Swiss nationals abroad suits your situation?
Depending on whether you are emigrating permanently, are retired, moving with your family or find yourself in a special situation, the requirements for your health insurance will vary.
If you are emigrating permanently from Switzerland
Anyone who moves away from Switzerland permanently and deregisters, generally loses the right and their obligation to be insured under the KVG/LaMal (Swiss Health Insurance Act). As well as any Swiss supplementary insurance and must take out a new health insurance policy.
Depending on the country, you may be subject to compulsory insurance under the local basic scheme, meaning you must take out local cover. However, to ensure you are adequately covered, supplementary insurance is usually recommended: either locally or through an international health insurance policy.
International health insurance is particularly useful if you are highly mobile, want the highest quality of care and private treatment, wish to return to or travel to Switzerland or another country for treatment, and/or value being cared for in your own language.
Special rules apply to pensioners. Anyone who receives a Swiss pension exclusively and emigrates to the EU/EFTA/UK generally remains subject to compulsory health insurance in Switzerland. In certain countries, such as Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Portugal, and Spain, there is an option or right of choice. This means that you can choose whether you wish to remain insured with a Swiss health insurance provider or, alternatively, take out cover in your new country of residence.
Outside the EU/EFTA/UK, Swiss basic health insurance generally no longer applies. International health insurance can then be particularly important – especially for older people, those with pre-existing conditions, those who regularly stay in Switzerland, or those seeking long-term security and flexibility.
For families, it is not just about cover for the adults. Pregnancy, childbirth, child healthcare, vaccinations, emergencies and access to paediatricians and children’s hospitals are also important issues that need to be clarified in advance.
By the way: depending on the health insurance provider, newborns can be insured at the time of birth without a medical examination. You should therefore find out about the different options and deadlines well in advance so that your family is well protected from day one in your new home.
Anyone posted abroad by a Swiss employer remains subject to the Swiss social security system under certain conditions. Depending on the country of assignment, the duration of the posting and the desired scope of cover, supplementary international health insurance may nevertheless be advisable. Find out early on which solution suits your individual situation.
Special case: Cross-border commuters
Cross-border commuters live abroad but work in Switzerland. Under the place-of-work principle, they are generally subject to compulsory insurance in Switzerland – however, depending on their country of residence, they may have a right of choice (i.e. the option to choose in which of the two countries they wish to join a health insurance scheme). Whether an additional international solution is advisable depends on the country of residence, family circumstances and the desired scope of cover. It is best to seek personalised advice.
What does international health insurance offer?
International health insurance is designed for people who live abroad long-term and do not wish to rely solely on a local healthcare system.
Depending on the policy, it may include the following benefits, for example:
Outpatient and inpatient treatment in the event of illness or accident
Free choice of doctor and hospital
Access to private clinics and specialists
Medicines and medical aids
Check-ups and preventive care
Maternity, childbirth and postnatal care
Rehabilitation and physiotherapy
Medically necessary evacuation or repatriation
Optional dental and eye treatment
Case study: Cancer diagnosis abroad
Monika emigrates to Australia. Around two months after moving, she discovers a suspicious lump. Following further investigations, she is diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.
Thanks to her international health insurance, she has the option – depending on her policy – to seek a second opinion and freely decide in which country and at which specialist facility she would like to receive treatment. Whether at a renowned clinic in Germany or Switzerland: she can choose the best possible medical care for her.
Especially during this uncertain and stressful time, this gives her a great sense of security. It is also particularly valuable to her that all information, consultations and treatments can be conducted in German.
“From our many years of experience, we know that what matters is not just the insurance cover on paper, but the actual quality of care you receive in an emergency.”“From our many years of experience, we know that what matters is not just the insurance cover on paper, but the actual quality of care you receive in an emergency.” — Majuran Panchalingam, Team Lead Client Advisory, ASN
How much does international health insurance cost for Swiss nationals living abroad?
The cost of international health insurance (sometimes also referred to as ‘long-term overseas health insurance’) depends primarily on age, state of health, destination country, coverage region and the desired scope of benefits. As a rough guide, premiums for policies arranged by ASN often start at around CHF/EUR 6,000 per person per year.
A local solution may be cheaper, but it usually does not offer the same flexibility, quality and predictability. It is therefore advisable not to focus solely on the premium when making your choice, but also to consider what benefits you will actually receive in an emergency.
What factors influence the cost of international health insurance?
Age: The older you are when you take out the policy, the higher the premium is usually.
Health status: Pre-existing conditions can lead to individual terms, surcharges or exclusions.
Destination country: Countries with high healthcare costs often increase the insurance premium.
Coverage region: Regional cover is usually cheaper than worldwide cover.
Health insurance for Swiss nationals abroad: Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Don’t wait until after you’ve emigrated to sort out your cover
If you wait until you are abroad to sort out your health insurance, it may be more difficult to find a suitable solution. It is better to investigate the matter at least three to six months before you leave. In addition, in many cases, you can take advantage of better terms and conditions with ASN.
Focusing solely on price
Cheap insurance may seem attractive, but in an emergency it can have serious limitations – for example, regarding the quality of care and service, exclusions, access to specialists, clinics and practices, waiting times for appointments, and the language used in customer support.
Overestimating local healthcare systems
Not every healthcare system offers the same access, quality or speed as in Switzerland. It is worth taking a close look at the general conditions and the experiences of other (Swiss) expats.
Not considering a return to Switzerland
If you haven’t ruled out returning to Switzerland at some point in the future, you should check early on whether and how your international policy can be continued in that case. We would be happy to advise you on this matter. With 30 years of practical experience, we have repeatedly found that returning home becomes a topic of discussion again in old age.
Find the right insurance solution with ASN
“As an independent Swiss broker, we compare international insurance solutions and support you from the first assessment, through to the right policy and well beyond – throughout the entire term of your contract, personally, neutrally and in your language.” — Giovanni Bretti, Head Private Clients & Marketing, ASN
Frequently asked questions about health insurance for Swiss nationals living abroad
Do I have to cancel my Swiss health insurance if I emigrate?
In most cases, yes. If you deregister your residence in Switzerland, your obligation to hold health insurance in Switzerland (KVG/LaMal) will generally also end. Exceptions apply, for example, in cases of secondment, cross-border commuter status or certain pension situations within the EU/EFTA/UK.
What applies to pensioners who emigrate to the EU/EFTA/UK?
Anyone who receives a Swiss pension exclusively generally remains subject to compulsory health insurance in Switzerland. In certain countries, there is an option or right of choice. This means that you can choose between insurance in Switzerland and in your country of residence.
What is the difference between international health insurance and travel health insurance?
Travel health insurance is intended for short-term stays abroad and only covers emergencies. International health insurance is designed for longer stays or long-term residence abroad and can, in many cases, replace national health insurance.
Can I take out health insurance when emigrating from Switzerland, even if I have pre-existing conditions?
In many cases, international insurance is available even with pre-existing conditions. However, depending on your situation, surcharges, exclusions or individual conditions may apply.We would be happy to advise you on your individual situation and the suitable options.
Does the insurance cover also apply during visits to Switzerland?
That depends on the chosen plan. Local insurance policies usually only offer emergency cover during visits home. With international health insurance, depending on the tariff, you can include Switzerland or Europe to ensure that planned treatments can also be carried out in your home country (or in specialist centres in other countries).
How much does international health insurance cost?
At ASN, insurance premiums for international cover generally start at around CHF/EUR 6,000 per person per year. The exact costs depend on age, state of health, destination country, coverage region and the desired scope of benefits. An individual quote is therefore the best basis for a realistic assessment.
What happens if I return to Switzerland at a later date?
If you move back to Switzerland at a later date, you are generally obliged to re-enrol in the Swiss basic health insurance scheme. However, depending on your situation and policy, international health insurance can be continued as supplementary insurance so that you do not lose the benefits due to a new health assessment.We would be happy to advise you on your situation.
What does ASN offer in terms of international health insurance for Swiss nationals living abroad?
ASN is not an insurer, but an independent broker for international health insurance. We provide you with objective advice, assess your personal situation and draw on various international providers to find the right solution for your life abroad.
The advice and support provided by ASN does not cost you any extra compared to taking out a policy directly with the insurer. The insurance premium remains the same, but you also benefit from personal advice and support from ASN’s expert advisers before, during and after the policy is taken out.
Through our collaboration with a select group of international insurers, ASN customers also gain access to exclusive solutions, an extended range of benefits, attractive terms and conditions, and priority customer service.
