when moving abroad
Health insurance for Swiss citizens living abroad
Find out more about insurance cover for retirees or expatriates who move abroad permanently.
Health insurance: what applies to you
Special rules apply for insureds who live, reside permanently or work abroad.
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Basic insurance
If you do not have a new permanent residence abroad, for example because you are only taking a temporary sabbatical, you can remain covered by basic insurance in Switzerland.
However, if you move your place of residence abroad permanently, you are no longer subject to compulsory insurance in Switzerland – with the following exceptions:
- For EU/EFTA countries
- For retirees
- For workers on secondment
Contact us at an early stage to ensure that your insurance situation remains legally compliant in the future.
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Supplementary insurance
If you are subject to compulsory insurance in Switzerland and are resident here under civil law, you can keep your supplementary insurance plans for a maximum of 12 months from the date of your departure.
If you are no longer subject to compulsory insurance pursuant to KVG/HIA due to your relocation and move your place of residence abroad, your supplementary insurance will be terminated as of the date of your departure. In this case, please contact Sanitas.
Pause supplementary insurance plans temporarily
If you plan on returning to Switzerland within 6 years, you can apply to suspend your supplementary insurance plans. In this case, you pay 30% of your current monthly premium and can easily reactivate your supplementary insurance plans without another health check when you return.
Important: Basic insurance cannot be suspended.
Conditions for suspension
- Minimum duration of stay abroad: 3 months
- Maximum duration: 6 years, up to age 70
- No ongoing claims
You want to suspend your supplementary insurance? Then contact us directly.
- Minimum duration of stay abroad: 3 months
Moving abroad as a retiree
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EU or EFTA country
Pension from Switzerland
If you draw a pension from Switzerland, you are still subject to the compulsory health insurance requirement in Switzerland and have to have basic insurance here.
Pension from new country of residence
If you draw a pension from the country you are moving to, you have to take out health insurance there.
Exceptions
If you move to Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Portugal or Spain when you retire with a Swiss pension, you have the right to choose where you take out health insurance – in Switzerland or your new place of residence.
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Country outside the EU
You are no longer subject to Swiss compulsory insurance if your new place of residence is outside of the EU/EFTA area.
Moving abroad as an employee
Expatriates are people who work for a Swiss employer abroad. The following generally applies to workers on secondment who pay Swiss social security contributions:
- Subject to health insurance in Switzerland
- Moving abroad for up to 2 years
- Can be extended for up to 6 years
Check whether you have to take out health insurance under foreign law in your new country of residence and whether you can be exempted from the Swiss compulsory insurance requirement.
Simply transfer to international health insurance
- Admission without a risk assessment if you have taken out a supplementary outpatient or inpatient plan with Sanitas (restrictions will be carried over)
- Free choice of doctors and hospitals
- Hospitalisation worldwide on the private ward
- Lifelong insurance cover
- Free medical advice by phone, second medical opinion and worldwide concierge service
- Additional options such as dental treatment and eye care, medical evacuation and repatriation
Get in touch
Contact ASN directly and mention that you are currently insured with Sanitas.
ASN, Advisory Services Network AG
Bederstrasse 51 Postfach
1585 CH-8027 Zürich
043 399 89 89
info@asn.ch
Frequently asked questions
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What applies to cross-border commuters who live abroad and work in Switzerland?
Arrange a call back for more information.
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Can I terminate my health insurance if I’m moving abroad?
It depends on various factors, such as the country you’re moving to, your employment situation and personal status. Give us a call, we’ll be happy to help.
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What is my insurance cover abroad before I emigrate?
Your basic insurance covers certain benefits – but not all of them. Supplementary insurance gives you more peace of mind when you’re travelling.
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Can I submit invoices while my insurance is suspended?
No, you cannot submit invoices during the suspension period.
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Do I still have insurance cover during the suspension period?
No, you are not insured while your insurance cover is suspended.