Swiss Review 3/2020

Swiss Review / June 2020 / No.3 Longer life expectancy, better and cheaper means of transportation, and enhanced com- munication technologies create new retire- ment options. Thanks to these developments, retireesmay decide to travel more or tomove to another country. This phenomenon is at the centre of a re- search project at the University of Neuchâ- tel in Switzerland. The aim of this research project is to study the international mobil- ity of retired persons. In particular, re- searchers want to understandwhat this mo- bility brings to retirees, which factors influence it, and what difficulties may arise. The researcher Livia Tomás is currently looking for retired people who would like to share their experience in an individual in- terview. More specifically: “I am looking for retirees who have spent most of their adult life in Switzerland and who are now living for at least threemonths per year inMorocco or Spain. If your profile fits this description and you are interested in such an interview, I would be delighted to hear your story!” You can find the contact details of Livia Tomás at the end of this article. There is also a flyer available, which can be shared and for- warded to potentially interested people. You can download it here: ogy.de/flyer-en Later this year, Swiss Abroad aged over 55 will also be surveyed all over the world as part of the same research project. The – vol- untary – participation in this survey is cen- tral for the research project, says Tomás: “We would be delighted to receive many reac- tions and answers.” This research project is conducted by the University of Neuchâtel and the School of So- cial Work of Geneva within the framework of the nccr – on the move, a National Centre of Competence in Research devoted to stud- ying questions of migration and mobility. It The experiences of Swiss retirees abroad in the focus of research Do you spend a part of your retirement in Morocco or Spain? Then Livia Tomás, researcher at the University of Neuchâtel, is interested in hearing from you. Back in Switzerland – and well insured Question: Can I take out Swiss health insurance if I move back to Switzerland for good, and, if so, are pre-existing medical conditions covered? Answer: Yes, you can take out basic insurance as soon as your place of domicile is situated in Switzerland again. Health insurance is mandatory for everyone living in Switzerland. Health insurers are therefore also obliged to provide basic insurance to anyone who resides in Switzerland, regardless of age or state of health. Furthermore, you are free to choose your health insurer (from the list of authorised insurers). The law governs which services are covered by basic insurance. Health insurers cannot, therefore, refuse basic insurance to Swiss who have returned to Switzerland after living abroad, nor are they permitted to impose any restrictions (e.g. due to pre-existing medical conditions). You must take out health insurance within three months of taking up residence in Switzerland. Cover will then apply retroactively from the date you arrived in the country. Certain people are exempt from the obligation to take out insurance in Switzerland. These include retired persons who draw a pension from an EU country and do not receive a Swiss pension, as well as anyone who is in Switzerland for education or training purposes and has insurance cover equivalent to basic Swiss cover. Health insurance is taken out individually for each family member (adults and children). All insured persons pay a premium which can vary depending on the health insurance scheme, but the basic insurance services are the same for everyone. It is therefore worth comparing premiums. The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) provides a comparison of premiums online: www.priminfo.ch. OSA LEGAL SERVICE is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. Further information can be found online: ogy.de/nccr Contact details: Livia Tomás, email: livia.tomas@unine.ch, telephone: +41 32 718 14 13 , mobile: +41 77 925 48 26 Facebook: livia.tomas.75 postal address: Institut de sociologie, Université de Neuchâtel, Faubourg de l’Hôpital 27, CH-2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland Livia Tomás, a researcher at the University of Neuchatel 25 The OSA’s Legal Service provides general legal information on Swiss law, particularly in areas which concern the Swiss abroad. It does not provide information on foreign law or intervene in disputes between private parties.