Tribune de Genève.

Those who work in Switzerland but live in France will soon be able to choose where they take out health insurance.

In 2014, the French government made life difficult for many cross-border workers by removing the option of taking out private health insurance instead of paying into the French state health system. According to Tribune de Genève, around 90% of workers living in France but working in Switzerland had opted for private health insurance, which for many cost less, and allowed them to seek treatment in France or Switzerland. French health payments are a percentage of income, making them expensive for those on higher salaries.

At the same time those working in Switzerland were obliged to comply with Swiss health insurance rules, which require health cover that meets basic Swiss health insurance requirements.

Recently, it was agreed between the two nations that those resident in France can apply to waive the obligation to insure in Switzerland, to avoid having to simultaneously pay into both systems. Applications for this exemption must be made between 1 October 2016 and 30 September 2017. After this date, those concerned will automatically be required to insure in Switzerland.

Alternatively, those cross-border workers who would prefer to be insured in Switzerland can opt out of the French system by presenting form E106 or an S1 certificate from their Swiss insurer to the French health authorities.

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