An insurance covering daily allowances is optional. Compulsory insurance may result from the individual employment contract or from a GLA; in such a case, the insurance may be concluded in the form of a collective contract. According to the law on employment contracts, if an employee is ill the employer must continue to pay the salary for a limited period as follows: 3 weeks during the 1st year of service and, subsequently, a longer period which varies depending on the canton in which the work is carried out. The cantonal courts have set up scales for this purpose. The GLAs often contain more favourable provisions.
Find a provider: www.comparis.ch
(Source: www.swissemigration.ch)
On request the following persons can be exempted from the compulsory health insurance:
- Persons who are staying in Switzerland within the scope of an education programme (students, pupils, trainees) and who have an equivalent insurance coverage (Copy of the confirmation of enrolment or confirmation of education or confirmation of practical training)
- Lecturers and scientists who have an equivalent insurance coverage. (Copy of teaching assignment or research assignment)
- Delegated workers (Form E 101)
- Persons with a short-term permit from neighbouring states whose centre of living is in their country of origin with their family (spouse and children) and who return there regularly. (Confirmation in writing with details of how often you commute and confirmation of domicile of your country of origin with your family)
- Persons with private insurance coverage which exceeds the coverage of the basic health insurance according to the legal regulations in Switzerland and for whom it is not possible to get complementary coverage in Switzerland at the previous level because of their age and/or state of health. (Insurance card or insurance policy, details regarding coverage and reasons in writing with medical report or rejection from a Swiss complementary insurance)
Should any of the mentioned exceptions apply to you contact the appropriate office on this list (PDF).
Do not forget to cancel your health insurance three month prior to leaving Switzerland.
