Social Security Coordination

Regulation (EC) 883/2004 — France / Switzerland

General Principle

European Regulation 883/2004 coordinates social security systems between France and Switzerland (via the AFMP). The fundamental principle is: a worker is subject to the legislation of only one country at a time.

For cross-border workers: social contributions are generally levied in the country of employment (Switzerland), while certain benefits are provided in the country of residence (France).

Branch by Branch

Health Insurance

Switzerland (LAMal) or France (CMU/PUMA)

Cross-border workers have a right of option between Swiss health insurance (LAMal) and the French system (PUMa, formerly CMU). This choice must be exercised within 3 months of starting work in Switzerland. It is irrevocable (except upon status change or return to work after unemployment).

LAMal: fixed premium (~CHF 521/month in 2026 for an adult frontalier residing in France). Care covered in both Switzerland and France.
PUMa (France): contribution calculated by CNTFS/URSSAF based on tax reference income (8% after allowance). Care reimbursed at French rates. You may choose a Swiss doctor as your médecin traitant.
In both cases, work accidents and occupational diseases remain covered by the Swiss system (LAA).

ameli.fr

Pension (AVS / 1st Pillar)

Switzerland

AVS/AI/APG (1st pillar) contributions are deducted in Switzerland at 5.3% of gross salary for the employee (5.3% employer). Swiss contribution periods are aggregated with French periods for entitlement (form P1). Each country pays its own pension proportionally.

Full AVS pension: CHF 1,260 to 2,520/month (2026) depending on contribution years and average annual income.
13th AVS pension: paid for the first time in December 2026 (an automatic 13th monthly payment for every old-age pensioner).
Reference age (AVS 21 reform): 65 for men and women (stepwise rise for women born 1961–1963 — 65 from 1964; compensation measures for the 1961–1969 transitional generation).
Pension claim: from the competent Swiss compensation fund. For the French portion, contact CARSAT.

FSIO — Social Insurance

Unemployment

France (total) / Switzerland (partial)

In the event of total unemployment, the cross-border worker registers in France (France Travail). They must obtain the U1 form (PDU1) from the cantonal unemployment office of the work canton to claim their Swiss periods. For partial unemployment (short-time work), compensation comes from Switzerland (RHT).

Documents for PDU1: international employer attestation (716.052), last 6 payslips, employment contract, termination letter, ID, AVS card.
PDU1 processing time: 1 to 4 weeks depending on the canton.
Benefits calculated by France Travail based on Swiss salaries converted to EUR at the applicable exchange rate.

ge.ch — PDU1

Family Allowances

Child's country of residence has priority + differential supplement

The parent who works in the child's country of residence has priority (art. 68, EU Regulation 883/2004). If the other parent works in France, the CAF pays first, monthly, and the Swiss caisse pays the difference once a year after the CAF's annual attestation. If no right opens in France, Switzerland pays the full allowance, monthly.

Swiss allowances (LAFam): min. CHF 215/month per child (<16), CHF 268/month per child in education (16–25). Amounts vary by canton.
Swiss allowances are paid monthly by the employer's caisse; the Swiss differential supplement is one annual payment for the past year.
Process: request Swiss allowances via the employer; when the CAF has priority, send the CAF's annual attestation (form E411) to the Swiss caisse each year for the supplement.

Work Accidents

Switzerland (LAA)

Accident insurance (LAA) is mandatory in Switzerland for all employees. It covers occupational accidents and, if you work more than 8h/week for the same employer, also non-occupational accidents. Medical costs are covered in full (no deductible or co-payment).

LAA occupational accident premiums: paid by the employer. Non-occupational: paid by the employee (unless otherwise agreed).
LAA daily allowance: 80% of insured salary from the 3rd day of incapacity.
Even if you are affiliated with PUMa (France), work accidents and occupational diseases are mandatorily covered by Swiss LAA.

Key Portable Documents

Document	Purpose	Issued by
A1	Certifies the country of social security affiliation (posting or multi-activity)	AVS compensation fund (CH)
S1	Right to healthcare in the country of residence (for pensioners or posted workers)	Competent institution of paying country
U1 (PDU1)	Aggregation of unemployment periods — transfer to France Travail	Cantonal unemployment office (CH)
U2	Maintain unemployment benefits while job searching abroad (3 months)	France Travail (FR) or unemployment office (CH)
E104/S041	Aggregation of health insurance periods (benefit entitlement)	CPAM (FR) or health fund (CH)
P1	Aggregation of pension contribution periods between countries	CARSAT (FR) / Compensation fund (CH)

Official Resources

CLEISS \u2014 Regulation (EC) 883/2004 FSIO — International social insurance ameli.fr \u2014 Swiss cross-border worker Prefecture Haute-Savoie — Right of option ge.ch \u2014 Obtain the PDU1 form

Social security coordination depends on individual circumstances (activity in one or more countries, self-employed status, etc.). Verify with the competent institutions (CPAM, URSSAF, Swiss fund).

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