How to manage healthcare paperwork when moving to Switzerland?
Arranging health insurance when moving to or leaving Switzerland: mandatory basic insurance, E104, the S1 certificate and KVG coordination for Hungarians.
When is it mandatory to take out Swiss basic health insurance when moving to Switzerland?
People moving to Switzerland are required to take out basic health insurance (Grundversicherung). This insurance obligation (Versicherungspflicht) arises when residence is established in Switzerland.
The mandatory insurance system applies to individuals and is not tied to the employer. This is an important difference compared with the Hungarian system, where social security coverage is typically linked to employment.
Insurance must be taken out separately for each person, including children. Family members are therefore not automatically "co-insured".
Swiss basic health insurance is offered by private insurers (Krankenkasse), but the scope of coverage is regulated by law, meaning that the basic services provided by insurers are the same. Premiums, however, vary by insurer and canton.
Cantonal differences: monthly basic health insurance premiums vary significantly depending on the canton, region and age group. The specific amount should always be checked using current information for the relevant canton and insurer.
There is a deadline for taking out insurance after moving in. The exact deadline and the consequences of delay should be verified against official information from the canton of residence and the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG), as these may vary depending on the procedure.
How can previous insurance periods be documented using the E104 form?
Those arriving from EU/EFTA member states may use the E104 form (Formular E104), or its electronic equivalent, to document their previous insurance periods.
The purpose of E104 is the aggregation of insurance periods (Zusammenrechnung der Versicherungszeiten). This means that it documents insurance periods accrued in the previous country.
The E104 certificate can substantiate the continuity of Hungarian social security coverage. According to the available sources, this may help avoid double insurance or waiting periods.
The document therefore serves as evidence that you had health insurance coverage in another EU/EFTA member state before your arrival.
Hungarian perspective: the article does not detail the specific procedure of the Hungarian issuing authority, as this compilation does not contain a direct, verified source for this. It is advisable to clarify the Hungarian procedure for issuing E104 with the competent Hungarian authority in advance, before moving abroad.
It is advisable to obtain the certificate before moving, as handling the matter retrospectively from abroad may be more difficult.
What must be submitted to terminate Swiss health insurance when moving abroad?
When leaving Switzerland permanently, mandatory health insurance can be terminated. This option applies to permanent departure (Ausreise, Auswanderung).
To terminate the insurance, the insurer must be provided with the official deregistration certificate issued by the local municipality (Gemeinde) (Abmeldebestätigung).
The process can be divided into two steps:
Deregistering with the municipality. You must officially deregister with the Gemeinde responsible for your place of residence and request a deregistration certificate (Abmeldebestätigung).
Notifying the insurer. The deregistration certificate must be submitted to the Krankenkasse, which will use it to terminate the compulsory insurance.
Important distinction: this procedure applies to permanent departure from Switzerland. Other circumstances (such as a temporary stay abroad, a secondment or studies) may be subject to different rules and require different administrative procedures.
Cantonal and insurer-specific differences: deregistration must always be confirmed by the local municipality, but the specific formal and deadline requirements may vary between insurers. It is advisable to confirm the details of termination with your own insurer.
The termination can be processed properly if deregistration with the municipality and notification to the insurer are completed in time. It is therefore advisable to coordinate these steps with the timing of the move.
Who can receive an S1 certificate as a Swiss pensioner when residing abroad?
The S1 certificate (Bescheinigung S1) applies to a specific group: people who receive a pension exclusively from Switzerland and move to an EU/EFTA member state (or to the UK, under the relevant regulations).
This group remains subject to the Swiss health insurance system after moving their residence. In other words, they do not automatically transfer to the national system of their new country of residence.
In this article, the rules concerning S1 apply exclusively to this target group: people receiving a pension from Switzerland who reside in an EU/EFTA/UK country. These rules cannot be directly applied to other situations (such as economically active persons or other pension arrangements).
From a Hungarian perspective: if someone moves back to Hungary with a Swiss pension, this rule may be relevant. Receiving both a Hungarian and a Swiss pension (dual pension) may create a different coordination situation, so the individual case should always be clarified with the competent institutions.
What can the S1 certificate be used for, and who issues it?
With the S1 certificate, a pensioner who has moved abroad can register with the public health insurance provider in their new country of residence. In Hungary, this institution is NEAK (National Health Insurance Fund Administration).
Once registered, the S1 entitles the individual to the same benefits in kind (medical treatment and care) as locally insured persons in the new country of residence. However, the costs are covered by the Swiss insurer.
This arrangement therefore links the two systems: care is accessed locally through the Hungarian system, while the underlying funding is provided from Switzerland.
The S1 certificate is issued not by the Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG (Joint Institution KVG), but by the individual’s Swiss health insurer (Krankenkasse).
In brief, the process works as follows:
The S1 is issued by the individual’s Swiss insurer.
The pensioner submits the certificate to the insurer in the new country of residence (NEAK in Hungary).
In the new country of residence, the individual is entitled to the same benefits in kind as locally insured persons.
The actual costs are borne by the Swiss insurer.
The S1 is the certificate that replaced the former E-forms (E106, E109 and E121), so older information materials may still refer to this mechanism under those names.
What is the role of the Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG for insured persons living abroad?
The Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG (Joint Institution KVG) is responsible for coordinating care and handling international reimbursement for persons living abroad while insured in Switzerland.
This institution is therefore a key player in cross-border matters. It does not administer individual insurance contracts; rather, it handles the technical coordination and settlement between the systems.
Important distinction: the Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG does not issue the S1 certificate. It is always issued by the individual’s Swiss health insurer.
In practice, this division of responsibilities helps determine whom to contact:
For the issuance of the S1: the individual’s Swiss Krankenkasse.
For international care coordination and reimbursement: the Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG.
For local registration: the national insurer in the new country of residence (NEAK in Hungary).
Sources
ch.ch — https://www.ch.ch/de/reisen-und-auswandern/im-ausland-leben/ruckkehr-in-die-schweiz/
admin.ch (FDFA) —
der-paritaetische.de — https://www.der-paritaetische.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Zugang_Gesundheitssystem_2022_bf.pdf
ch.ch — https://www.ch.ch/de/reisen-und-auswandern/im-ausland-leben/aus-der-schweiz-auswandern/
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In Brief
When moving to Switzerland, each person, including children, must take out separate mandatory basic health insurance. Previous Hungarian insurance periods can be documented with an E104 certificate; when leaving permanently, an Abmeldebestätigung issued by the Gemeinde is required to cancel Swiss insurance. People who receive a pension exclusively from Switzerland and move to an EU/EFTA country or the United Kingdom can register with the health insurer at their new place of residence using an S1 certificate.
Key Takeaways
- Take out separate Swiss basic health insurance for every family member, including children.
- Always check insurance premiums based on the specific canton, region, age group and insurer.
- Obtain the E104 form, or its electronic equivalent, before moving abroad to document previous Hungarian insurance periods.
- When leaving Switzerland permanently, first deregister with the Gemeinde and request an Abmeldebestätigung.
- Submit the Abmeldebestätigung to your Krankenkasse, then check the insurer's formal and deadline requirements.
- As a Swiss pensioner, contact your own Krankenkasse regarding the S1 and NEAK regarding registration in Hungary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it mandatory to take out health insurance when moving to Switzerland?
Yes. Establishing residence in Switzerland creates an insurance obligation, and separate basic health insurance must be taken out for each person. Family members, including children, do not automatically become co-insured.
Is the premium for Swiss basic health insurance the same with every insurer?
No. The scope of basic benefits is set by law, so the benefits themselves are the same; however, monthly premiums may vary by insurer, canton, region and age group. The specific amount should be checked using the current information for the relevant canton and insurer.
What can the E104 form be used for when moving to Switzerland?
The E104 form, or its electronic equivalent, certifies insurance periods completed in a previous EU/EFTA member state. The document can substantiate the history of Hungarian social insurance coverage and may help avoid double insurance or waiting periods.
How can Swiss health insurance be cancelled when leaving permanently?
First, you must officially deregister with the Gemeinde at your place of residence and request an Abmeldebestätigung. This certificate must be submitted to your Krankenkasse, which will use it to arrange the cancellation of mandatory insurance. Formal and deadline requirements may differ between insurers.
Who can receive an S1 certificate as a Swiss pensioner?
The S1 rules apply to people who receive a pension exclusively from Switzerland and move to an EU/EFTA member state or, under the relevant regulations, to the United Kingdom. They remain covered by the Swiss health insurance system after relocating their residence.
Who issues the S1 certificate, and where must it be registered?
The S1 certificate is issued by the person's own Swiss health insurer, i.e. the Krankenkasse, not by the Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG. If resident in Hungary, the certificate must be submitted to NEAK; local healthcare benefits in kind equivalent to those available to locally insured persons can then be accessed, while the costs are borne by the Swiss insurer.
What is the role of the Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG?
The Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG carries out international coordination and reimbursement for healthcare provided to people living abroad but insured in Switzerland. It does not manage individual insurance contracts and does not issue S1 certificates; these are issued by the person's own Swiss Krankenkasse.
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