Switzerland: frontier work and family benefits

As a frontier worker, it is the place of residence of each of the children that will determine the country liable for family allowances, whether they are settled in a country of the European Union or of the European Free Association. exchange (EFTA).

In addition, in the event that the compensation paid by France is lower than that possibly received in Switzerland, an additional allowance (differential allowance) may be paid to you by Switzerland.

In short, there are three situations for the payment of family allowances:

• Work and reside in Switzerland with your family: family allowances will be paid by Switzerland;
• Work and reside in Switzerland, but your family resides in France: family allowances will be paid by France, Switzerland will pay the difference if Swiss allowances are higher;
• Work in Switzerland and live in France with your family (cross-border): the situation is the same as the previous one, family allowances will be paid by France and compensation may be paid by Switzerland.

If both parents are frontier workers, family allowances will be paid to the parent whose salary or gross annual income subject to Old Age Insurance (AVS) is the highest. If one of the parents is employed and the other independent, the employed parent will receive family allowances.

As a cross-border worker living in France, the procedures must be carried out with the family allowances fund (CAF). As regards the request for differential allocation in Switzerland, it must be made to the Compensation Fund. The employer will be perfectly able to inform you about the competent fund.

In addition, each year a document in which you must include the sums collected on the French side and the Swiss Compensation Fund will pay you the difference between what you received in France and what you should have received in Switzerland.

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