AHV number (Swiss social security number)

AHV stands for Alters- und Hinterlassenenversicherung, the federal old-age and survivors' insurance that forms the first pillar of Swiss pensions; its French name is AVS. The AHV number is your personal identifier in that system. The Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO) says it has 13 digits, begins with 756, is completely anonymous and randomly generated, is issued only once and stays unchanged for life, even if your name or marital status changes. The Central Compensation Office (ZAS/CdC) shows it in the format 756.xxxx.xxxx.xx.

It is more than a pension number. Federal, cantonal and municipal authorities may use it systematically, and other bodies may use it where the AHV Act allows, including health and accident insurers, pension funds and educational institutions.

The FSIO says assignment is generally automatic. For a nurse, doctor or therapist arriving from abroad, it happens in one of two ways:

1. Through the migration office. The ZAS says the cantonal migration office creates an AHV number when a foreign national settles in Switzerland, so most people who receive a B permit get one this way after registering in their municipality.
2. Through your employer. For people who come to work, the employer contacts its compensation office, which requests a number once your employment has started under the contract.

You do not usually apply yourself, and the official pages mention no fee for being assigned a number.

The AHV number arrives late in a Swiss move, after the work permit and registration with your municipality. Your employer needs it to pay your AHV contributions, and your health insurer, pension fund and cantonal authorities use it to identify you. It plays no part in professional recognition: the Swiss Red Cross and MEBEKO identify you by your own documents, and the registers give you a GLN.

• Health insurance card. Since 1 January 2010 the AHV number has been printed on every Swiss health insurance card. For most newcomers this card is where they first see it.
• Payslips and employer records. Your employer uses it to pay your social insurance contributions.
• Municipal registration office. If you have no card yet, the residents' registration office of your municipality or canton can tell you.
• AHV insurance certificate. A separate AHV card is no longer compulsory and is not sent automatically, but you can order one through the eCdC online service.

• Waiting for an AHV card that never comes. It is not issued automatically; use your health insurance card or ask your employer.
• Confusing it with your GLN. Health professionals in MedReg and GesReg or NAREG also have a GLN (Global Location Number), a professional identifier. The AHV number is your personal social insurance number.
• Leaving Switzerland. If you paid contributions and later live abroad, the Swiss Compensation Office can confirm your number for pension claims, so keep a record of it.
• Sharing it carelessly. The FSIO requires authorised users to protect it; give it only to bodies entitled to use it.