Health insurance for "frontaliers"

The French government has decided that, with effect from 1 June 2014, persons resident in France but working in Switzerland (hereinafter referred to as “frontaliers”) will no longer be entitled to opt for private French health insurance provision as their sole and principal health insurance.

The right of choice, which was granted by the Bilateral Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons between Switzerland and the European Union and which came into force on 1 June 2002, exempts “frontaliers” from the obligation to become a member of Switzerland’s compulsory health insurance scheme (LAMal) if they can prove that they have equivalent coverage in France, provided by either the French social security system (CMU) or a private French insurance provider. As the latter option of private health insurance as an alternative to membership of LAMal will be revoked under the new French legislation that will come into force on 1 June 2014, current “frontaliers” who have opted to subscribe to a private French insurance provider will be obliged to become members of the CMU. Those who have opted for membership of LAMal will be able to retain it, and future “frontaliers” will have the choice between membership of LAMal or the CMU.

Please note that this measure does not concern members of the CERN personnel who are insured by the CERN Health Insurance Scheme (CHIS), as they do not have “frontalier” status.

The CERN Director-General has requested clarifications from France, via its Permanent Mission in Geneva, as to whether spouses and partners of members of the CERN personnel insured with the CHIS and having the status of “frontaliers” will be able to continue to use the CHIS as their sole and principal insurance provider without being a member of the CMU. The Organization is also in contact with international organisations in Geneva and the French Association of International Civil Servants regarding this matter.

The HR Department will inform the personnel as soon as clarifications are received and, in the meantime, the latest information is available on the CHIS website.

HR Department