This autumn I have relocated to Switzerland with my family where my wife has a nice job. My wife and my son have already Suisse health insurance and we all have already B Ausweise, so the residence in Switzerland (EU citizen). For the moment I am working mostly remotely for my German company.
Having already the German health insurance, I have applied for a health insurance exception in order not to pay twice, especially because as far as I know I cannot get rid of it in Germany as long as I am an employee there (please correct me if I'm wrong). When I did this request I was relaying on the fact that according to the Schweizer Compulsory health insurance system guide I may be excepted if I am working in a EU EU/EFTA state ( https://www.bag.admin.ch/dam/bag/en/...ntworten-e.pdf ).
But the exceptions analysis process seems to be suspended until 18.02.2022 (due to Corona's times) and my actual situation seems a bit ambiguous. As the 3 months are gone, this situation overcomplicates a bit the things. It seems I haven't been yet assigned to an insurance company (at least what I know so far right now).
In the exception applying process in the Switzerland, I have submitted an Eintragung zwecks Inanspruchname des Krankenversicherungsschutzes that I got from my German insurance, where it is confirming that I and even my family are covered by them in Germany (kind, but not sure how useful as long as they are already insured in CH).
A recent health issue has forced me to access the Notfall Praxis (consultation and control) into Schweiz has ended up with a questionnaire by post from Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG. Seems like they may support some health insurance costs for temporary EU visitors but I already have the residence here waiting for the exception decision.
The actual situation, with Suisse residence and let's hope German health insurance only accepted, has raised me some questions:
- May I be treated into Schweiz as in Germany with the settlement of costs in Germany? Or in case of illness do I have to cross the border into Germany? (fortunately, I am close to the border but I could not stay there with residence for some wife's job reasons).
- Would it be possible reaching an exception from Germany and start paying the health insurance into Switzerland only, despite still working for the German company? This would simplify the health insurance situation.
Normally as you are fully resident in Switzerland, I would expect that you are supposed to be insured in Switzerland. I know there are exceptions for Swiss citizens working in Switzerland but resident over the border in France, who in most circumstances can retain Swiss health insurance. This has two advantages:
First they can go for treatment in both Switzerland or France, particularly important when the nearest university hospitals in France are a 2-hour drive away.
Second, the premiums can end up lower in Switzerland, where they're a fixed amount, whilst in France they're a percentage of your income. Because Swiss incomes are so high compared to those in France, the premiums can end up costing a fortune.
However, you're in the inverse situation, working in Germany and resident in Switzerland and I wouldn't know what the situation is. Have you contacted your cantonal health authority?
Thank you for the shared experience. I do appreciate it.
Regarding your question, as have mentioned, I have applied for the exception especially because right now I am super high taxed into Germany (Steuerklasse 1 once with the relocation because I worked there more than 183 days).
For the moment I don't have yet the response from the cantonal health authority but in the meantime came the questionnaire from KVG due to my Notfall Praxis visit. I will try approaching the Kantonal authority next week for a status, too.
Will your German Health (and I presume 'accident') insurance, pay for all costs you might incur in Switzerland? Should you fall ill or have an accident- and they discover you have been resident in Switzerland?
With all my respect, seems you're missing some aspects.
My German insurance company is already notified me about my new residence and has already provided the Eintragung zwecks Inanspruchname des Krankenversicherungsschutzes document for Switzerland.
Sorry, your post said ''In the exception applying process in the Switzerland, I have submitted an Eintragung zwecks Inanspruchname des Krankenversicherungsschutzes that I got from my German insurance, where it is confirming that I and even my family are covered by them in Germany''
Your case seems very unusual and complex, and therefore only the official KFG can help here, it seems.
By default your commune will enter you into a mandatory health insurance contract once the three months are over, you appear to be in the 4th month already. They may be unaware of your request for "Eintragung ...", it won't hurt to notify them directly. A phonecall to your Einwohneramt, -kontrolle, or similar should do to clarify your situation and keep them from opening a contract for you.
A Swiss employer is responsible to take out accident insurance for the employees, the other residents can opt to get that insured via their mandatory health insurance. You have neither so you want to make sure that accidents are covered+insured by your German employer, too.
The Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG is responsible for the handling of the insurance of Swiss residents from EU/EFTA countries ( see here ). So it looks like the entire process has started despite the suspension you mention. These folks are probably also whom you want to ask WRT your accident insurance. Probably unnecessary, but it won't hurt to make sure.
I don't think the suspension of the exception analysis process is something default, so we are already in a special situation. And yes, next week I'll call Kantonalen Gesundheitsdirektion to find out the status.
Each German employer is required to take out insurance that covers the trip from home to the job and back, as well. So, a peddler is covered as well.
Don't think the things are as you're imagined. The Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG has approached me because of my emergency consultation visit to the Spital where I have presented my German insurance. Most probably the Spital has sent them an invoice to be paied. I'll find out soon...
Your German insurance will cover emergency treatment as a visitor, not as a resident.
If you are currently resident in Switzerland, you should have registered at your Gemeinde/Commune officially. The time line changes from Gemeinde to Gemeinde, but it is usually around 3 weeks. If you have not done this, you are here illegally- in official terms- and that has strong consequences regarding health and accident insurance.
Germany has different insurance types but I am not aware of additional insurance for accidents.
I hope you don't mind but I would appreciate it if you wouldn't draw hasty conclusions.
How could I have reached the Ausweis without Geminde registration?! Seriously... would be appreciated thinking twice before coming to such conclusions. Thank you for understanding.
FYI, I have registered with the Gemeinde from the very beginning and they have pinged me to remind about the health insurance. In fact, the suspension of the exception evaluation process was by them communicated by email.
You better check that then. The accident insurance from your employer is only for work related accidents, not accidents that are related to what you do privately.
Sorry, from the very beginning I mentioned about the Ausweis (that don't fall from the sky) and the exception process sending to the official document. But it's a matter of analysis and knowledge of the process.
In that official document is mentioned that In some cases, you do not need health insurance even though you are
resident in Switzerland, e.g.:
– if you work in an EU/EFTA state; Such information gave me hope... but make me already thinking not to waste the time, having the Suisse insurance, and find the right job in CH.
He was pretty clear in the OP about already being resident and having a B permit.
There are exceptions regarding obligatory Swiss health insurance, we know several people who have benefitted from this. It would seem that the OP trying to do this but changes to the process due to Covid are making it more challenging for him.
Indeed, if I would already know I am not excepted, I would have already had the Suisse insurance. But due to the situation, I am in an uncertain situation.
And the truth is that in case I would be excepted, I am wondering how things will gonna happen in case I may need to access a medical service (should I cross the border in DE or treat in CH).
And this is in fact the scenario I thought of when I wrote the question from the first topic.
I’m sorry I can’t help specifically with your question but one of the people we know who has benefitted from an exemption is Portuguese and definitely didn’t go to Portugal for medical treatment. I have no idea how it worked in practical terms but they had all their medical care in Switzerland.
If you are resident on B Permit, then it is very unlikely you will be exempt and entitled to Swiss healthcare, and will be assigned a Swiss insurance, backdated to day of arrival in CH.
As your case is complex, I would make an appointment to discuss this and get official, rather than internet Forum advice- on this complicated matter. They re-open on 3rd of Jan and have staff that speak excellent English. KVG has not moved from Solothurn to Olten. Much better to make appointment and discuss face to face. Not doing so coult turn out to be VERY expensive- once you are assigned to a Swiss Insurance by the authorities, it is very difficult to turn back the clock, and would have to pay several months in areas to date of arrival.
Will you be paying taxes in Germany or in Switzerland? I expect the answer to that question determines where your residence and health insurance should be. The better advice is from those that suggested you get professional advice.