Social security agreements and standard-setting conventions

Social security agreements

EU

In accordance with the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons between Switzerland and the EU, relations with EU Member States are governed by the provisions of Regulations (EC) No. 883/04 and (EC) No. 987/09 from 1st April 2012. Both regulations coordinate the various European social security systems.

EFTA

For EFTA countries, Regulations (EC) No. 883/2004 and No. 987/2009 apply as well.

The Regulation (EEC) no. 1408/71 and no. 574/72 apply only in certain cases (see transitional provisions of the regulation (EC) no 883/2004 and no. 987/2009).

Contracting States

Switzerland has concluded international social security agreements with 52 countries to date. The objectives of these agreements are: guaranteeing the equal treatment of citizens from the contracting States, the determination of the applicable legislation, and the payment of social security benefits abroad.

Information about agreements

Information about the social security agreements

The FSIO offers detailed brochures for the major social security agreements.

Standard-setting conventions

Switzerland is a member of several international organisations working in the social field. Switzerland has also ratified some of the legal instruments, or "standard-setting conventions", developed by these organisations.

Standard-setting conventions, as the name suggests, set international standards. As a general rule, these conventions are not directly applicable. They are only binding for those countries which have ratified them.