Employment with European Health Insurance Card
Depending in which canton you live, the exemption from the Swiss health insurance obligation with the European Health insurance card may only approved if you do not have any income.
Salary
By salary, we refer to an additional income that stems from an employment contract. This is not related to the project you conduct at ETH Zurich.
As soon as you receive a salary (even if the salary is very low, the employment very short and it is a mandatory internship), your insurance coverage with a European Health Insurance Card is no longer valid. Grants (scholarships) are not considered an income.
You must buy a Swiss health insurance for international students (cheaper) or a "normal" KVG health insurance valid on the start date of your employment!
Note:
- It is your responsibility to switch to a Swiss health insurance for international students or a normal KVG insurance once you start working (start date of your employment). You will not in all cases be reminded by the authorities!
- If you choose one of the student health insurance packages you need to apply for a new exemption from the KVG obligation. The exemption you already have is based on your European Health insurance Card and cannot be used with a student health insurance package for international students. Even if you have not yet received the decision on the exemption application, you must submit a new exemption request.
- Once you have completed your gainful employment, you cancel your Swiss health insurance (please be aware of the notice period). You have then to apply for another exemption based on the European Health insurance Card.
Canton of Basel:
Students who live in Basel and want to start a gainful employment must - in most cases - take out a Swiss KVG insurance (the low-?cost student insurance packages are not accepted there). Please clarify the exact conditions for your specific case in advance! Questions must be directed to the external page Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG in Olten.
Other Cantons:
Please clarify the exact conditions for your specific case in advance!
Responsibility varies from canton to canton. On the external page Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) you will find an overview under > Documents > Cantonal institutions authorised to grant exemption from compulsory health insurance.