That’s not how it works at all, not these days.

But what about if you worked in both countries? "If receiving a pension from both States they must be insured in the State where they reside." That sounds like living in the UK we'd be "insured" by the NHS so don't need Swiss health insurance. I can understand that if someone who only worked in Switzerland moved abroad then they'd still need Swiss health insurance, but if you've worked in other countries as well ....

And looking at the translation of Belgianmum's link

"Persons not in gainful employment are in principle subject to the legislation of their State of residence (Article 13(3)(c)).
Pensioners must take out health insurance in the State where they receive their pension, even if they reside in the other State. If they receive a pension from both States, they must be insured in the State where they reside (Title III, Chapter 1, Section 2).
With regard to sickness insurance, non-working family members are subject to the same legislation as workers or pensioners (Title III, Chapter 1, Sections 1 and 2), unless they are resident in the UK. In this case, they are not obliged to be insured in Switzerland, but are covered by the UK health system (Art. 34). These provisions correspond to the agreements between Switzerland and the UK under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons.
The competent authorities of the two States may provide by mutual agreement, in the interest of certain persons or categories of persons, for derogations from these rules of liability (Article 17).
In the context of the application of this Convention, decisions on the liability to Swiss social insurance are also taken by the AHV compensation funds and not by the cantonal services responsible for checking the obligation to insure. In cases where the obligation to take out insurance is uncertain or disputed, the competent compensation fund of the person concerned should be contacted."

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

And what's the difference between health insurance and sickness insurance or is that just a translation thing?

I have read the 'Explanatory Memorandum' on the 'Convention on Social Security Co-Ordination Between United Kingdom of Greta Britain and Norther Ireland and the Swiss Confederation' Command Paper CP 530
Para4.1 provides for the aggregation of periods of social security contributions, basically the relevant periods of contributions, work or residence in the UK & Switzerland are taken into account.
I have had contact from NHS Business Service and they state that KVG should send form SO40 (also know as SED 040) to HMRC, who will return a SO41. I have contacted KVG to see what they say.

Have you had any response from this?

Oh yes, it would be so great to have the final and definitive answer on this.

The only way to make absolutely sure is to make an appointment and discuss this- ask for written evidence / links

much better to go in person rather than on line, I believe. And please share your findings afterwards, thanks


Contact

Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG
Industriestrasse 78
4600 Olten

+41 32 625 30 30

Opening hours

Monday to Thursday

08:00–12:00 h
13:30–17:00 h

Friday

08:00–12:00 h
13:30–16:00 h

It does not work that way. You need a decision from both sides. When I did it for Ireland I was told by Olten that they “probably” would say no unless Ireland agreed. A couple of weeks later I heard Ireland had rejected me and then I got a no from Olten.

You’d need to find out what criteria the UK use to decide on accepting responsibility for you and if you meet it.

Reading this it seems that you only need to provide certain documents and you're fine for NHS cover.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-th...live-in-the-uk

Thanks. So first thing to do, is to go to Olten and find out what they advise, then find out the other side and hopefully balance them both and find the definite answer. It will very probably not be found on EF, is my point.

I don’t think getting NHS cover will be the issue, the biggest issue is going to be convincing the Swiss that don’t need to continue with Swiss insurance cover and to do that you need to contact the office in Olten and request an exemption as detailed by the OP of this thread.

I don't think that my Swiss pension payments will be enough to cover my health insurance, since I have only paid into the Swiss system for 25 years, which I think what half the maximum.

So I no point in drawing a pension and then paying it back out to "Helsana", seems a stupid situation.

That said, as good as the NHS is for many things, unless it is life threatening, as in heart surgery, many of waiting lists are measured in years, with your place/priority determined by your age.

If you have private health insurance, there is no waiting list, you'll be in and out in weeks. So, move to the UK, pay "private" health insurance and enjoy your Swiss pension.

Assuming the Swiss will let you pay private U.K. health insurance instead of Swiss insurance - not sure this is an option. According to the documents you are not allowed to choose.

I found this on the FOPH website.

"Health insurance: Requirement to obtain insurance
In general, people leaving Switzerland to live abroad are no longer subject to compulsory health insurance. However, exceptions apply for certain groups of people."

https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home...m-ausland.html

Unfortunately can't find a list of what those exceptions are.

The guide linked there seems focused on insurance if you live/work in Switzerland, but I can't find anything about when you don't.

I can find info on having to obtain Swiss health insurance, but nothing about having to continue it after you leave the country.

Why the heck do they have to make it so difficult!

The Swiss never publish the rules for anything - so you can never tell them that they are wrong!

Here in a nutshell:

https://www.englishforum.ch/3453648-post17.html

I already posted a link to the relevant information regarding retirees moving to the UK post Brexit in this thread but here it is again.

https://www.bag.admin.ch/dam/bag/fr/...11.2021_FR.pdf

It’s in French but I already translated the relevant bits in post 43

https://www.englishforum.ch/3440933-post42.html

Basically you need to provide the Swiss with proof that you are covered in the UK. DavidS has provided the info regarding how to go about this.

The key section from above:

'Les retraités doivent conclure une assurance-maladie dans l’État où ils perçoivent leur rente, même
s’ils résident dans l’autre État. Lorsqu’ils perçoivent une rente des deux États, ils doivent s’assurer
dans l’État où ils résident (titre III, chap. 1, section 2).'

'Retirees must take up Health Insurance in the country where they get their pension, even if they live in another country. If they get a pension from both countries, they have to be insured in the country where they live.'



I do wonder the rules apply the same for early retirees, eg not of State age for Pension.

For exemption S1, for retirees from UK in Switzerland and EU (Pre Brexit)- it only kicked in when the 'main' bread winner got to age 65- and not to early-retirees (who had to take on Swiss Health Insurance in the interim period).

Slightly off topic, but still related - I keep reading the occasional comment that there can be reduced health insurance premiums for pensioners residing outside of Switzerland. Is that true? Down to individual insurers or something in Swiss law that mandates it?

Here is the full list of premiums for people retiring outside Switzerland.
The premiums vary widely depending on which country you’re moving to and which insurance company you choose. You don’t have to stay with the company you are currently using.

https://www.priminfo.admin.ch/downlo...bericht_eu.pdf

Off topic posts moved here. I think I got them all.

https://www.englishforum.ch/daily-li...nd-issues.html

No, half the posts you moved related to retiring outside of Switzerland.

David S, mine, Jackie's and Jim's.