AXA Switzerland is supporting refugees who have had to leave their home in Ukraine because of the invasion and come to Switzerland with quick and unbureaucratic insurance and services free of charge. Host families can also contact AXA if they take in refugees and would like to coinsure additional persons in their household for free.
Information, questions, and answers regarding insurance and offers relating to the current situation can be found on this page, which is updated regularly.
AXA is offering refugees and their Swiss host families assistance in various areas – so that they don’t also have to deal with insurance issues in their time of crisis.
You have a household contents insurance policy with AXA (household contents and/or personal liability) and would like to take Ukrainian refugees into your home? Then simply report your guests to AXA and they will be coinsured free of charge:
Both types of insurance run automatically through the insurance policy of the host family as long as the refugees live in the same household.
Here's how it works: Report all the names of the refugees you have taken into your home to your AXA advisor. We will then send you a confirmation.
Do you have legal questions regarding taking in refugees in private households, the laws in Switzerland, or on employment law? AXA-ARAG legal protection insurance is happy to help support you with free legal advice – for refugees as well as for host families and others who would like to help. You can either use the form or submit your query via WhatsApp.
You have liability insurancefrom AXA and would like to let refugees live in your apartment or house (regardless of whether it is rented or owned) while you live somewhere else? If so, you and your guest don’t need to worry if any minor damage is caused:
This insurance also runs through the policy of the host.
Here's how it works: Report all the names of the refugees you have taken into your home to your AXA advisor. We will then send you a confirmation.
Ukrainian refugees in Switzerland are entitled to medical care. More information can be obtained from the State Secretariat for Migration SEM. Depending on the canton, the responsible authorities also offer access to liability insurance, but this is not obligatory. AXA offers refugees and their host families extensions in coverage for household contents and personal liability insurance, which means the guests are automatically coinsured in the primary policy.
Ukrainians can register after arrival at a federal asylum center and submit an application there for protection status S. In doing so, they are registered retroactively by the canton for obligatory health insurance as of the point the application was submitted.
Refugees who are employed automatically receive accident insurance through their employer. Companies that employ Ukrainian refugees must take out mandatory accident insurance to insure them against accidents as required by law. If a Ukrainian refugee is employed for more than 8 hours per week on average, then they are automatically also insured against non-occupational accidents. As a result, the accident coverage can be excluded from the health insurance coverage.
If there is a mandatory accident insurance policy for all employees, then Ukrainian refugees are generally also covered by this. The same applies in cases of any supplementary accident insurance in place (supplement to mandatory accident insurance).
In general, the same contractual conditions of the motor vehicle insurance apply to all drivers of the insured vehicle provided that the driver has a valid driver’s license. Foreign driver’s licenses are valid if they are in an international format or a translated version is available and if the driver has not been in Switzerland for more than 12 months (after that time, a Swiss license is required; see also the website of the federal government). What is still owed are the deductibles and loss of bonus (if this is stipulated in the contract).
Ukraine is a part of the so-called green card agreement. People who travel to Switzerland from Ukraine must have an international insurance card (previously green card) with them confirming that liability insurance with sufficient coverage is in place for their vehicle. If they do not have this card, then they must take out frontier insurance for the liability when they enter the country. If a foreign vehicle has a loss or damage event with a vehicle insured in Switzerland, then the Swiss National Bureau of Insurance is responsible for conducting the clarifications. If the foreign vehicle is not insured, then the National Guarantee Fund of Switzerland bears the cost of the damage. Accidental damage insurance, on the other hand, is not obligatory.
AXA Switzerland cannot issue an international insurance card (formerly green card) for foreign vehicles. It is only possible if your vehicle is insured with AXA. In this case, you can apply for an insurance card on this website. If your vehicle is insured with another insurance company, you can apply for an international insurance card (green card) with that insurer.
If a group daily benefits insurance policy is in effect for all your employees, then Ukrainian refugees would normally have automatic coverage. As a rule, if a daily benefits insurance policy from AXA has been taken out, new employees do not need to fill out a health questionnaire.
A company that employees a Ukrainian refugee does not need to take any further steps for general commercial liability insurance or professional liability insurance. In other words, the refugee is considered to be a normal employee who is covered by the insured company for their employment activity.
People with protection status S who work are mandatorily insured with the AHV (Old Age and Survivors' Insurance) and subject to occupational pension provision as defined in the BVG (see the informational brochure of the State Secretariat for Migration SEM for foreign citizens regarding social insurance for stays in Switzerland and upon departure).
Refugees can therefore be registered with the occupational benefits insurance exactly as other employees. You can contact one of our advisors if you have any questions.
With the protection status S, Ukrainian refugees may look for work in Switzerland, although starting employment also requires a work permit. The application for this permit must be obtained by the employer from the cantonal labor market authority.
Once a refugee receives protection status S, they can seek employment without being subject to a waiting period. The employer must obtain the work permit (see question above). If needed, the regional employment centers (RAV) can provide assistance with the job search.
There are no restrictions for the applications of refugees. It is advisable to indicate the protection status S in the application so that potential employers are aware that they must obtain a work permit before the start of work.
Ukrainian refugees with protection status S can apply for any available positions; there are no restrictions in this regard. Of course, general requirements must be met to obtain professional licenses for regulated professions. Those who have a Ukrainian diploma and would like to have it recognized in Switzerland can contact the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).
To take up self-employment in Switzerland, an application must be submitted to the cantonal labor market authority. The application should provide information on the intended activity and the financial and operational means earmarked for that purpose. The condition for taking up self-employment is a sufficient, independent basis for living and the fulfillment of the necessary financial and operational resources. A separate letter outlining these criteria must be enclosed with the application. Furthermore, the application must also include a copy of the applicant’s passport, foreigner’s ID (protection status S), and the form for the commencement of employment, which can be obtained from the cantonal labor market authority.
Do you speak Ukrainian or Russian and have questions regarding the services on this page or other insurance topics? If so, contact us in writing by email at ukraine@axa.ch. The following AXA advisors also speak Ukrainian and/or Russian and can also answer your questions over the phone.