Practical Information

Social Security

Switzerland has a social insurance program (OASI) that benefits all its residents, and is administered by the Federal Social Insurance Office. It covers illness insurance, family allowances, pension, survivors’ and disability insurance and accident insurance, the latter covering work accidents and non-work accidents as well as occupational diseases.

Anyone who is employed in Switzerland pays into the system automatically through their workplace and can receive benefits immediately. Those without employment must pay the OASI office directly. Switzerland has reciprocal social security agreements with other countries, so you are entitled to receive Swiss social insurance payments even if you return to your home country, after having paid into the Swiss social insurance system.