Frequently Asked Questions
Please find below the most important answers to common questions:
FAQ Commuters
New French cross-border commuters can join the basic insurance according to the Swiss Health Insurance Act (LAMal / KVG) or the Couverture Maladie Universelle (CMU) in their country of residence
The choice must be made within three months. If the three-month period is not respected, a penalty premium is due
This question must be clarified individually, as it depends on various factors: are you single or do you have a family, income, professional development prospects, etc.
FAQ Newcomers
The choice must be made within three months. If the three-month period is not respected, a penalty premium is due
In Switzerland, each person pays individually. In the compulsory health insurance, there are three levels of premiums: Adults, adolescents, children. Unlike many European countries, the employer has nothing to do with the financing. The amount of the premium also varies greatly depending on the canton of residence and the insurer. A comparison is strongly recommended
The compulsory basic insurance covers the main benefits. However, there are certain gaps in coverage that should be covered. In the event that there are gaps, considerable additional costs may be charged depending on the incident.
FAQ Pension capital / pension fund upon emigration & investment (international)
Upon definitively leaving Switzerland, your pension assets are transferred to a vested benefits account (compte de libre passage). Depending on your destination (EU/EFTA vs. third country), the mandatory portion may be blocked or eligible for cash withdrawal. Most people leave this capital in non-interest-bearing accounts.
At Haysen, we analyse your situation, whilst our ‘Bridge’ system ensures that your capital remains invested in global markets, generating returns rather than losing value to inflation.
Only partially. Generally, the extra-mandatory portion can be paid out in cash. However, the mandatory portion (BVG) must remain in a Swiss vested benefits account if you continue to be subject to social security in your new EU home.
This “parked” capital is often dead capital. Through Bridge, we show you how to actively manage and invest even this restricted portion, creating long-term cash flow for your future retirement.
A cash withdrawal triggers immediate capital gains tax and stops the power of compound interest. Reinvesting within a vested benefits solution allows for tax-exempt growth and protects your capital from depreciation.
Especially for large sums, the tax burden is massive. We optimize the location of the foundation (tax optimization) and use Bridge to implement an investment strategy that far exceeds the minimum interest rates offered by traditional banks.
Through a targeted securities strategy within the vested benefits framework, you can benefit from market growth without physically transferring the capital to your new country of residence, which is often tax-disadvantageous.
This is your greatest opportunity. With Bridge, we transform static pension capital into a dynamic portfolio. Your money remains invested in the safe haven of Switzerland but generates global returns to support your financial freedom abroad.
The most critical deadline is the 6-month rule: If you do not inform your current pension fund where to transfer your vested benefits after leaving, the fund is legally required to transfer your capital to the “Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution” (Fondation institution supplétive) after 6 months at the latest. There, the money usually earns only the legal minimum interest rate, leading to a real loss in value due to current inflation.
Don’t let your capital be “pushed” into the substitute institution by default. At Haysen, we help you open a strategically favorable vested benefits account (e.g., with withholding tax optimization in Schwyz) before this 6-month window closes. Through Bridge, we ensure your money is immediately invested for high returns, rather than sitting for months in a state-run pool earning zero interest.
When you leave Switzerland, withholding tax is applied based on the foundation’s headquarters. Cantons like Schwyz often offer significantly more attractive tax rates than others.
Selecting the right tax domicile can save our clients five-figure sums in taxes. Haysen handles the strategic location choice so that the maximum amount of your capital can flow into the Bridge investment strategy.
