Insurance and Social Security
Sort out your OASI number and social insurance
Anyone working in Switzerland is compulsorily covered by old-age and survivors' insurance (OASI), disability insurance and the income compensation scheme. Your employer registers you with its compensation office and deducts the contributions directly from your salary; you receive a 13-digit OASI number and an insurance card. From the statutory minimum annual salary occupational pension provision (second pillar) is added, and accident insurance is compulsory as well. Check whether contribution periods earned in your previous country of residence need documenting — they are not lost, but must be evidenced there.
Who this applies to. This guide applies if the employment situation in Switzerland is Employed, Self-employed or Posted worker.
Checklist
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Have your employer confirm the registration
Your employer registers you with its compensation office; without registration contribution years are missing and reduce your pension later.
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Receive and file your OASI insurance card
The 13-digit OASI number is required by every other social insurance scheme and by your health insurer.
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Check whether you are covered by occupational pension provision
The second pillar is compulsory from the statutory minimum annual salary; your employer names the pension fund.
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Secure entitlements from your previous country of residence
Contribution periods abroad are not lost, but must be documented with the insurance institution there.
Costs
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Registration fee free of charge
Registration runs through your employer and is free of charge; the AHV contributions themselves are deducted from your salary.
No total: the items depend on conditions and on your situation. A total without your answers would be too high or too low depending on the case — the cost calculation in your plan uses them.
Frequently asked questions
Who does this guide apply to?
This guide applies if the employment situation in Switzerland is Employed, Self-employed or Posted worker.
What does it cost?
Registration fee: free of charge.
What do I need to do?
Have your employer confirm the registration; Receive and file your OASI insurance card; Check whether you are covered by occupational pension provision; Secure entitlements from your previous country of residence.
As of: 08.10.2026