Students and own temps

Health insurance: Foreign students in Switzerland

Foreign students can apply for exemption from compulsory insurance if they have equivalent insurance cover. The conditions for exemption vary depending on the country of origin (EU/EFTA or other). 

Students from the EU/EFTA
According to the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons with the EU and the EFTA Convention, students from an EU/EFTA country who are staying in Switzerland for education or training purposes are not subject to compulsory insurance in Switzerland - as long as they are not gainfully employed in Switzerland and thus remain affiliated with the social security system of their country of residence. Upon presentation of their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), they can receive treatment in Switzerland. However, if they are gainfully employed, they must take out insurance in Switzerland (principle of place of employment). Students who have private insurance can be exempted, provided that the insurance is equivalent. Alternatively: STUDENT CARE – Premium Calculator (swica-direct.ch)

Students and interns from other countries
Students and interns from a country outside the EU/EFTA who are staying in Switzerland for education or training purposes can apply for exemption from compulsory insurance - provided they have private insurance with coverage equivalent to that of a Swiss health insurance fund. They can be exempted for a period of three years, with the possibility of requesting an extension for a further three years. After this period, they are obliged to take out insurance in Switzerland.

Students who take out insurance in Switzerland
Students who are subject to compulsory health insurance must take out insurance with a health insurance company licensed in Switzerland. The same rules then apply to them as to persons residing in Switzerland (see below: Compulsory insurance, premiums and cost sharing, premium reduction).

Source: Health insurance: Foreign students in Switzerland (admin.ch)

Conclusion

We would like to point out that you are obliged to have Swiss insurance coverage during your entire stay in Switzerland.

However, if you think that you could be eligible for exemption, you must have all documents, employment contract, personal details, including international insurance solution from abroad, ready. You must submit your application for exemption to the Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG yourself here.

If your application is rejected by the Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG, you can take out mandatory insurance

with SWICA using the enclosed insurance application.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the SWICA Novartis team: novartis@swica.ch 

Workers on short-term assignments in Switzerland

People resident abroad who work in Switzerland for a short period of time must take out Swiss health insurance. However, certain exceptions apply, depending on the country of residence and nationality or the type of work permit held. 

EU/EFTA workers: place-of-work principle

In 2002, the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons with the EU (AFMP) and the EFTA Convention have made it possible to harmonize the social security systems. Accordingly, the requirement to obtain health insurance is based on the place-of-work principle. Anyone working in Switzerland, as well as non-working family members, is required to take out Swiss health insurance.

This rule applies to the following workers from EU/EFTA countries:

  • Holders of a short-term residence permit (L permit)

  • People who are working in Switzerland for a maximum of three months and do not require a residence permit for this period (notification procedure), unless they have an equivalent private insurance policy covering treatment in Switzerland. Exceptions can apply for workers domiciled in Germany, Austria, France and Italy who regularly return to their country of domicile (at least once a week). See note on option right in “Cross-border commuters in Switzerland”.

Exceptions may apply for workers resident in Germany, Austria, France and Italy who regularly return to their country of residence (at least once a week). See the explanation of the option of obtaining insurance in the country of residence under “Cross-border commuters working in Switzerland”.

Beginning and end of compulsory health insurance

EU/EFTA nationals not requiring a residence permit (because they are working for less than three months) are required to take out Swiss health insurance from the date their employment contract begins. If they fail to do so, they can be automatically assigned to a health insurer, with a policy commencing on the date their employment began.
Insurance cover generally ends on the day the worker’s employment ends, but at the latest on the date of his or her departure from Switzerland or death.


EU/EFTA nationals holding an L permit valid for more than three months are subject to compulsory health insurance from the date on which they report to the Residents’ Registration Office. They have three months in which to register with a Swiss health insurer. If they fail to do so, they can be automatically assigned to a health insurer; if the delay is not justifiable, they will be liable to a premium surcharge for late registration. They will also be required to cover the costs of any medical treatment received prior to enrolment themselves.

Insurance cover generally ends on the worker’s departure date reported to the Residents’ Registration Office, but at the latest on his or her actual date of departure from Switzerland or death. 

Workers from other countries (outside the EU/EFTA)

Third-country nationals (from outside the EU/EFTA) with a short-term residence permit or a residence permit valid for at least three months are required to take out Swiss health insurance.

This requirement also applies to foreign workers whose residence permit is valid for less than three months (such as seasonal workers), unless they have an equivalent policy covering treatment in Switzerland.

Beginning and end of insurance

Holders of an L permit valid for more than three months are subject to compulsory health insurance from the date on which they report to the Residents’ Registration Office. They have three months in which to register with a Swiss health insurer. If they fail to do so, they can be automatically assigned to a health insurer; if the delay is not justifiable, they will be liable to a premium surcharge for late registration. They will also be required to cover the costs of any medical treatment received prior to enrolment themselves.

Holders of an L permit valid for less than three months are subject to compulsory health insurance from the date on which they enter Switzerland. If they fail to take out insurance, they can be automatically assigned to a health insurer.

Insurance cover generally ends on the worker’s departure date reported to the Residents’ Registration Office, but at the latest on his or her actual date of departure from Switzerland or death.

Workers active in more than one country

Swiss or EU nationals simultaneously pursuing self-employed or employed activities either in more than one EU/EFTA country or in Switzerland and in one or more EU/EFTA countries are subject to the legislation of a single country. For more information, see “Workers in the EU or EFTA - Simultaneous employed activities in the EU/EFTA or Switzerland”

In Switzerland, the AHV compensation offices are responsible for deciding on liability to social insurance; their decision is also applicable to health insurance. Workers active in more than one country should therefore contact the relevant AHV compensation office.

Source: Workers on short-term assignments in Switzerland (admin.ch)

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