Social security

It might not be the most interesting subject but it is one of the most important, and many aspects of social security are obligatory in Switzerland so you must organise them as soon as you arrive.

The key areas of the Swiss social security system are:

• Health insurance (obligatory)
• Pensions and disability benefits: Switzerland uses a three-pillar system, as follows:

1. First pillar: state pension (obligatory)

– In Switzerland, the state pension provision also covers disability benefits

2. Second pillar: workplace pension (obligatory for all employed people)

3. Third pillar: private pension (optional)

• Unemployment insurance (obligatory for employed people)