Annetje

You seem to have bad luck here with the Swiss not cooperating.
I tried to find some more info for you, but I am completely confused about it all.
You need to have health insurance before you get an ID ?
And you need this S1 form before you can get health insurance ?
Is this private insurance or joining the state system ?

Don't think I can find an easy way out for you, but it intrigues me ..

BuckinghamshireBoy

We got confused as well, and it seems that we spent too long in confusion-land before it fell into place.

Yes, exactly that, we need to prove to the Gemeente that we have health insurance so as to get the EID cards.

The S1 is just a declaration that we are insured, which we are, and that is what is pissing me off, the Swiss insurance people seem to think that they need our Swiss exit papers before they provide the form, which is complete rubbish. If they gave us the S1, the Gemeente would issue EID cards straight away.

The Swiss insurance is private - like all health insurance there.

We want to join the Belgian state system, but we need EID cards to do that...

I looked at another option for short-term private insurance just to get the S1, but the money being asked is really silly stuff, obviously aimed at major corporations, it runs into thousands of EUR per month. I already have that with the Swiss gits...

Thank you for your concern.

My new project is for a one on one with the Swiss health insurance bastards people (email doesn't seem to work very well with them) alongside with one to ones with the Fiscal - tax - and then hopefully the OCP - the foreigner police - to get the official exit papers.

And to dispose of my Swiss car.

And then to party with my step-daughters. Yay!

All this before Christmas.

BuckinghamshireBoy

Where would you plan on being resident for tax purposes?

BuckinghamshireBoy

That only works with Zurichois, les Genevois are teflon-coated.

scrubbedexpat142

Ah, persze, bien sûr!

littlejimmy

UK, I guess. Not definite, just trying to keep things easy. I'd be working in Belgium 10 days and coming home for 4 day weekends every other week.

Annetje

There are rules about where you pay tax.

If you are living in Belgium for at least six months (183 days) of the year and registered with your local commune, then you are classed as a resident and have to pay Belgium income tax on your worldwide income.

Unless you're going the ''not registered'' route (not legal)

There are however exceptions, have a read

https://www.expatica.com/be/finance/...um_100073.html

It seems to me you're not researching much before jumping
Trying to keep things easy might turn out fairly complicated.

BuckinghamshireBoy

Well, with that timetable you would certainly bust the rules as Annetje has pointed out just above.

Then there's the elephant in the room, namely BREXIT.

Way, way back I freelanced across Europe having my own limited company in the UK, but I never stayed in one country for more than the number of days limit for tax residence purposes. It only takes for one person to denounce you, and that could scupper all your plans, so best keep it clean, rather than what might at first to seem to be 'easy'.

If I recall correctly you can set up as a 'sole trader' in BE, but establishing that is way costlier than the UK equivalent.

littlejimmy

Thanks for the advice. I'm certainly not jumping before researching, hence the questions. I haven't signed anything yet. I wanted to keep things easy as far as possible but I also don't want to get on the wrong side of the law. I get the feeling the company who want to engage me are trying to put all the onus on me. I'm not at all convinced it would be a good move.

And yeah...Brexit. Say no more!

BuckinghamshireBoy

You are most welcome.

I can really understand that, and sympathise. I think that these days most companies tend to deal with 'body shops' for their short-term hiring needs, so that gives sole-traders and the like a much harder ride. I once had to take a contract to one of my previous 'body-shops' as my limited company didn't have a legal department...

Annetje

BuckinghamshireBoy

Some light! Last week I received mail from our third prospective health insurers informing us that we were now on board. Yay! This information was sent on to the town hall, who emailed last evening that all the required documentation was now in order, and had been sent to ‘head office’ – meaning Brussels. They did say however that it could take up to six months before we are granted ID cards. This is a bit worrying with the (slight, I hope) potential of a no-deal Brexit still out there.

The project to "officially" exit Switzerland bumbles along, but with a couple of good things going on. The accountant said that if we gave them power of attorney then they could take on the tax authorities on our behalf, saving a trip back. I said that I had to come back for the ‘foreigner police’ anyway, and she replied ‘they changed their rules just before you left, you can do it by post now’ and included the form. It was exactly the same form that I had been working with, but the usage notes had changed to include the postal option. So that’s on the way now.

The Swiss health insurers are being as obstructive as ever, but now pressure is off, so I’m going to change tack, and point out to them that this long, drawn out process was simply down to a huge misunderstanding. On their part.

I do have to return to Geneva next week anyway to shed my car and return the plates to the authorities, I’m coming home by train this time, always wanted to do that, it’s hardly any longer than flying when seen ‘end to end’ and actually cheaper this time around. Christmas has a lot to answer for.

scrubbedexpat142

Progress!

BuckinghamshireBoy

Indeed, it's truly amazing what can happen when one revisits one's expectations.

Annetje

Onward and upward ... Persistence will win eventually !
Another trip to Switzerland, you must be tired with those. it's the last one.