The Treaty on the free movement of people between Switzerland and the European Community (EU/EFTA) came into effect on 1 June 2007. The Treaty applies to all insured persons who moved or are moving to an EFTA member state or to the EU after 1 June 2007. Persons who transferred their residence before 31 May 2007 are subject to the earlier law. The date on the confirmation of departure issued by your local Swiss municipality is conclusive.

The Treaty provides that a person who leaves Switzerland permanently is not entitled to cash in his compulsory savings under a pension scheme if he is subject to compulsory social insurance in the EU/EFTA country of destination.

The new treaty also permits the use of pension assets for the purchase of an own home anywhere in the EU/EFTA area (previously only in the areas adjacent to the Swiss border).

Insured persons leaving Switzerland permanently for any other countries are still entitled to cash in the full amount of their vested benefits.