Coordination of social insurance
Social security also has an international dimension. This is seen in the conclusion of intergovernmental agreements. The conclusion of coordination agreements prevents persons in cross-border situations being disadvantaged.
Social security agreements
Switzerland applies Regulations (EC) No 883/2004 and 987/2009 with the EU and EFTA countries within the framework of the Agreement with the EU on the Free Movement of Persons and the EFTA Convention. Switzerland has also concluded bilateral social security agreements with more than 20 countries outside the EU/EFTA.
Information about the bilateral social security agreements
The FSIO offers detailed brochures for the major social security agreements.This brochures provide an overview of the coordination of the social security schemes of the contracting state and Switzerland. Only the bilateral agreement is relevant to assess individual cases.
Posted workers
Employees who are sent by their employer to work in another country for a limited period of time remain subject to the social security legislation of the sending country for the entire duration of their posting if certain conditions are fulfilled.
Paying contributions in Switzerland if employer is based in an EU or EFTA state
Employers based in the EU or EFTA that have no branches in Switzerland and that employ persons who are subject to statutory Swiss social-security regulations are obliged to pay the contributions prescribed by Swiss law and, as a general principle, are required to settle their financial obligations directly with the responsible Swiss funding bodies.