I posted this a week or so back but no replies so trying again. I maybe should have searched but here we go anyway.....

If I don't get a job in Basel I will need to leave after 3-4 months (arriving June). I plan on having travel insurance organised to cover me for that time. I will register on arrival but does that mean I will end up paying both lots of insurance if I start work, understanding that health insurance is backdated to arrival date? I just wonder if there is any point in the travel insurance if I really don't need it. Or am I able to forget about the local insurance if I don't find work (because of having travel insurance)? Just not sure which way this should go.

Also, I will be in Basel for 7 days before I go to Scotland for a week, arriving back 1st July. Would it make more sense to register at the Gemeinde at that point, rather than when I first arrive? I get the 8 day thing....

I'm looking at the EHIC information as well, but that might not work as I am not "ordinarily resident" in the UK. If I get an EHIC card does the above matter then? As I said, it's just in relation to the first 3-4 months.

This made sense as I typed it! Thanks!

I read somewhere that if you don't pay for insurance within the 3 months that, when discovered, you you receive a fine. *BUT* if you can prove that you had health insurance over that period you can have the fine... removed / reduced?

Perhaps someone more helpful can help.

CK

Thanks for that CK, still not quite sure if I should go ahead with the travel insurance or just wait till I get to Basel and register. Don't intend skipping it but just need to know if I should have both, seems a waste if I can just pay for the one type.

To my knowledge, you can not sign for a helth insurance in Switzerland until you get you residence and work permit approved.

If you are in Switzerland for 3 months as a tourist and looking for a job, you can not be insured here. Otherwise all tourists in Switzerland could sign Swiss healt insurance.

First when your application for work and residence permit is approved (if you are coming from EU, you need first to sign job contract and then apply for the permit), then you can sign for healt insurance as of that day.

I don't intend being a tourist but if it will be ages till I get a job then I need to have cover hence thinking of travel ins. So if I am reading it right I don't need to apply for health insurance till I get a job contract? But I understand that it will be backdated to day of arrival. Meaning I pay two lots of insurance if I already have 3 months worth of travel insurance and then I get backdated the 3 months as well if I get a contract? Just trying to avoid 2 lots of ins but might not be able to.

You must have Swiss health insurance from the date of your registration.