In principle all three variants meet this criterion, but you do not have to choose insurance in Germany in order to continue being treated there. Bear in mind, too, that you have no way of switching to Swiss insurance later if you decided against it at the outset. The PKV does allow you to be treated in Switzerland, but it is expensive for families because family members are not covered with you. With the GKV family members are covered, but you have no way of being treated in Switzerland. Most cross-border commuters opt for Swiss insurance.

Although all of the roughly 55 Swiss insurers offer identical benefits in basic insurance, the prices vary considerably in places. Take the time to compare providers. We will help you with the premium comparison Take a look at the insurers’ ratings as well, to spare yourself any trouble. Up to the age of 18 children benefit from low premiums. After that the monthly premiums for basic insurance run, depending on deductible, place of insurance and provider, between roughly 160 and 400 francs. For treatment in Switzerland a share of the costs is payable.

No, in Switzerland health insurance is entirely separate from your employer. You pay your premium directly to the insurer every month. 

Whichever variant you decide on, always try to think long term. A change of job, unemployment or entering retirement could all be reasons for wanting or having to return to your health insurance in Germany. If you are privately insured in Germany, switching to the GKV can come with conditions attached. From the age of 55 a return to the GKV is even ruled out. If you take out Swiss health insurance, a return to the GKV is guaranteed – whatever your reasons for wanting to come back. That way you benefit in old age from comparatively favourable contributions.

Switzerland distinguishes between basic and supplementary insurance. Anyone resident in Switzerland must take out basic insurance and may take out supplementary insurance. If you decide on basic insurance in Switzerland, it covers – as the name says – only basic care. It is important to know that you are not, for instance, automatically covered for long-term care as you are in Germany. Should you become a case for long-term care, the costs are not covered and would have to be met from your own assets. If those do not suffice, your children could be called upon. For this reason it is strongly advisable to take out supplementary insurance. This is considerably cheaper in Germany than in Switzerland.

In principle it makes no difference which provider you choose, because all of their benefits are prescribed by law and identical. Even so, the prices vary considerably in places. Do the premium comparison, check general customer satisfaction by reading ratings, and weigh up for yourself which provider is the right one for your needs.

Particularly if your journey to work is not very long or you have flexible working hours, it is advisable to be treated in Germany whenever possible. Your German insurer bears the cost of treatment as though you were a member of that fund in Germany. It then settles the costs with your Swiss insurer. This means the share of the costs otherwise payable in Switzerland does not apply.