Swiss KVG Health Insurance When Moving Abroad 2026: KVG Termination and S1 Form

KVG cancellation: how mandatory Swiss health insurance ends on emigration

The Bundesgesetz über die Krankenversicherung (KVG / LAMal / LAMal) makes basic health insurance compulsory for all Swiss residents. On emigration, the obligation ends — but only after you provide your KVG insurer with: a copy of the Abmeldebestätigung from the Einwohnerkontrolle, proof of the new foreign address (lease or local registration), and a written cancellation request specifying the exact departure date.

The insurer is legally required to cancel from the deregistration date and refund any pre-paid premiums on a pro-rata basis (Article 5 KVG). Refunds typically arrive within 30-60 days. Most insurers also issue a final statement of paid premiums for tax purposes — keep this for your final cantonal Steuererklärung.

S1 form for EU/EFTA destinations

If you move to an EU or EFTA country (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Portugal, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, all 27 EU states), you may be entitled to register in the destination country’s public health system using a Swiss S1 portable document, particularly if you continue to work for a Swiss employer abroad or draw a Swiss pension (AHV/IV/BVG).

The S1 is issued by your former Swiss insurer or by the Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG (kvg.org). It allows you to register with the destination’s public health body (e.g. AOK in Germany, CPAM in France, INPS/ASL in Italy) without paying their contributions — Switzerland reimburses them. The Swiss insurer continues to charge you the Swiss KVG premium (approximately CHF 350-700/month depending on canton and insurer).

Right of return: Anwartschaftsversicherung and deferred KVG re-entry

Unlike Germany’s GKV, Swiss KVG insurers must accept any returning Swiss resident regardless of age or pre-existing conditions — this is the universal-coverage principle. There is no need for a separate Anwartschaftsversicherung. On returning to Switzerland, you must register with a KVG insurer within 90 days of re-establishing residency. The insurer cannot refuse, cannot raise premiums for health reasons, and cannot impose waiting periods.

However, the Zusatzversicherung (supplementary private insurance, e.g. semi-private or private hospital coverage, dental, complementary medicine) is governed by the Versicherungsvertragsgesetz (VVG) — and supplementary insurers CAN refuse re-entry or apply premium loadings for pre-existing conditions. If you want continuity of supplementary coverage, ask your insurer about Anwartschaftsversicherung for the VVG portion before deregistration. Premiums during the suspension are typically 25-40% of the active premium.

Cantonal differences in KVG premiums and procedures

Premiums vary by canton, age group and insurer. Geneva and Ticino are typically the most expensive cantons; Appenzell Innerrhoden, Uri and Nidwalden the cheapest. The exit refund is calculated at your departure canton’s premium, not a national average.

Cancellation deadline: most insurers require written notice received at least 30 days before the departure date (some accept 14 days for documented Wegzug cases). Late notice can result in the insurer billing through to the next contract end (typically 31 December) — appeal in writing with the Abmeldebestätigung as primary evidence; insurers are obliged to retroactively cancel under Article 5 KVG.

What about the franchise (deductible) and refunds?

Most KVG policyholders choose a higher franchise (CHF 300-2’500) to lower their premium. On departure, any unused franchise prepayment is irrelevant — refunds apply only to premiums, not to deductibles you have paid for treatments received. If you have major treatments scheduled in Switzerland in the months before departure, complete them before deregistration: cross-border KVG coverage rules require the treatment to occur during your insured period.

Pre-existing treatment and cross-border medical care

Within 90 days after deregistration, EU/EFTA citizens with the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued by the Swiss insurer can still receive medically necessary care in EU/EFTA countries — this is a transitional safeguard. Outside this window, only S1-holders or those with private international insurance retain Swiss-paid coverage. For non-EU moves, all KVG coverage ends on the date of deregistration.

Common mistakes when cancelling KVG

Recommended international insurance options

For non-EU destinations, popular international expat policies (Cigna Global, Allianz Care, Bupa Global, GeoBlue) cost CHF 200-800/month depending on age, coverage limits and country. Check whether the policy includes evacuation, mental health, maternity (often a 12-month waiting period) and US coverage (often optional and adds 30-50%). Many policies allow conversion to a local plan or back to KVG-equivalent coverage if you return to Switzerland.