In view of the social security agreement concluded between China and Germany, the posting of workers to China usually takes place over a period of 2 to 4 years.
This applies to Germany, but China has not concluded such an agreement with Switzerland. In relation to Germany, the first four years of a posting are considered as if the employee were employed in Germany. However, the agreement only applies to pension insurance and employment promotion, but not to health and nursing care insurance.
Since statutory health insurance generally does not provide any benefits in non-European countries, the employer pays first in the event of illness. The same applies to family-insured relatives who accompany the employee abroad or visit him there. The employer can claim the costs back from the statutory health insurance company to the extent that they would be reimbursed if the treatment were carried out within Germany.
There is no agreement between Switzerland and China on social security in China. If you work for a Swiss employer and have previously been insured for at least five years in the compulsory insurance for employees, you can continue to pay there during your stay in China - with the consent of the employer and employee. However, additional social security charges may apply in China.
