Health insurance: Other agreements

This section provides information on other international social security agreements concluded by Switzerland.

Bilateral social security agreements

Switzerland has concluded agreements with numerous states regarding social security arrangements for persons transferring their place of residence or employment from Switzerland to one of these states or vice versa. Some of these agreements do not apply to health insurance but indirectly affect the health insurance status of posted workers.

Agreements with third countries (outside the EU/EFTA)

Switzerland has concluded bilateral social security agreements with the following states: Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Brazil, Canada (including Quebec), Chile, China, South Korea, the United States, India, Israel, Japan, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, the Philippines, the Republic of San Marino, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey and Uruguay (see attached table).

* Since the agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina came into effect on 1 September 2021, the social security agreement with the former Yugoslavia has been repealed.  

New social security agreement with Tunisia

The agreement with Tunisia came into effect on 1 October 2022. This agreement concerns the AHV, IV and UV areas, with only indirect effects on health insurance.

For workers posted to Tunisia from Switzerland, as well as non-working accompanying family members, the continued duration of health insurance in Switzerland corresponds to the posting duration specified in the relevant agreement (5 years for dependent employees, 2 years for self-employed). If these persons are compulsorily insured against illness in Tunisia, they can apply for exemption from compulsory health insurance in Switzerland, provided that they have equivalent cover for treatment in Switzerland.

Workers posted from Tunisia to Switzerland, as well as non-working accompanying family members, are subject to Swiss compulsory health insurance. They can apply for exemption, provided that their employer ensures equivalent insurance cover.

Agreements with European countries

Switzerland previously had bilateral social security agreements with most European countries. The agreement on the free movement of persons (AFMP) with the EU and the EFTA Agreement have replaced the bilateral agreements with the EU and EFTA Member States. However, for persons who do not fall within the personal scope of the AFMP or the EFTA agreement, the bilateral social security agreements continue to apply - for example third-country posted workers.

Further information

The Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO) also publishes an up-to-date list of social security agreements and information on social security agreements with various countries (e.g. Australia, Brazil, Chile, Canada, Kosovo, Japan, Macedonia, the Philippines, the United States and Uruguay). See the link below.

Documents

Overview of international social security agreements concluded by Switzerland (in German) (PDF, 37 kB, 16.12.2022)

Links

Federal Social Insurance Office - Social security agreements

Further information

Last modification 30.11.2022