New in Switzerland? Health and other insurance policies at a glance.

Yes, health insurance is a legal requirement.

It is mandatory for everyone who lives in Switzerland – regardless of nationality, income or age, and including children, students and unemployed people. The legal basis for this is the Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG).

People who move to Switzerland from abroad have three months in which to take out health insurance with a recognised insurer.

If they miss this deadline, the cantonal authorities may assign an insurance policy to them automatically – with no regard for their individual wishes or the level of the premiums. In the event of late registration, the insurance cover only begins from the date of admission. If the delay in registration is deemed to be inexcusable, the insured person (usually) has to pay a premium surcharge (penalty charge) as well.

This can be expensive, so it is very much worth taking care of your health insurance as soon as possible.

Swiss health insurance policies have a number of special features, and these provide opportunities for optimisation. This guide explains the differences between basic and supplementary insurance and how to choose the right deductible and insurance model for you.

The Swiss health insurance system is based on two pillars: compulsory basic insurance and voluntary supplementary insurance. 

The basic insurance covers basic medical care. It is required by law and provides the same benefits across all health insurers. These include:

• Visits to general practitioners and specialist doctors
• Hospital treatment (general ward in your canton of residence)
• Emergency treatment (including abroad, partial cover)
• Medications on the list of pharmaceutical specialties (SL)
• Antenatal check-ups and childbirth
• Certain therapies such as physiotherapy and psychotherapy (on prescription by a doctor)
• Vaccinations, laboratory tests, rehabilitation measures
• Benefits for chronic illnesses (e.g. diabetes, asthma)

Supplementary insurance is voluntary. It supplements basic insurance in areas in which the latter provides no or only limited benefits. These include:

• Hospital stays on a semi-private or private ward (single room, head of department)
• Free choice of doctor and hospital throughout Switzerland
• Alternative treatments (e.g. homoeopathy, osteopathy)
• Higher cost contribution for glasses, contact lenses and dental treatment
• Additional benefits during stays abroad (e.g. return transport)
• Access to extended forms of treatment and faster appointments
• Dental insurance

In addition to the scope of cover, there are other fundamental differences between basic and supplementary insurance:

The deductible is the amount you pay yourself each year in your basic insurance. You pay the costs of doctor's appointments, medicines and hospital stays yourself until this amount is reached.

You can choose the deductible yourself. For adults, it is between CHF 300 and CHF 2,500 per year.

A high deductible leads to a lower monthly premium. This option is worthwhile for people who rarely go to the doctor. Those who need regular medical care are usually better off opting for a low deductible.

Health insurers offer various models for basic insurance which differ in terms of price and structure:

Health insurance is not provided automatically in Switzerland, even for people who have moved here from other countries. You must actively register with a recognised health insurer. There are a number of important steps and deadlines to bear in mind for this.

However, the registration process is straightforward if you know what matters.

First you should compare various health insurers. Although the basic insurance provides the same benefits across all insurers, there are significant differences in terms of price/monthly premium.

Online calculators can help you with the comparison process. One independent and secure option is the official premium calculator of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), which is available in German, French and Italian.

When making a comparison, you should pay attention to the following points in particular:

• The amount of the monthly premiums (depends on place of residence, age, deductible and model)
• The available insurance models (e.g. general practitioner model, Telmed, HMO)
• Additional services such as apps, digital platforms and languages spoken
• Customer satisfaction and service quality

Once you have selected a health insurer, you can register with them directly. You can generally choose from the following options:

• Online registration on the health insurer's website
• Application by post with a form
• Personal consultation with an advisor

After you have registered, the health insurer will send you a confirmation and your insurance card by post. You need to show this card at the doctor's, in hospitals and in pharmacies. Most health insurers also offer an app in which your insurance card is saved.

The general insurance obligation in Switzerland applies to almost everyone in the country.

However, there are special rules for a number of special situations, such as for people with cross-border commuter status, family members relocating to Switzerland at a later date and students.

Do you work in Switzerland but live in a neighbouring country? Then you have two options:

• Option 1: Take out basic insurance in Switzerland
• Option 2: Remain in the health insurance system of your country of residence

You have to make this decision within three months of starting work in Switzerland. After that, it is binding. 

If you subsequently move to Switzerland, you must take out health insurance in Switzerland.

Do you live in Switzerland already and your children will not be joining you till later? In this case you have to take out a separate health insurance policy for each child – also within three months of their arrival in Switzerland.

Incidentally, Swiss health insurers do not offer family policies. Instead, each person is insured individually, regardless of their income and family status.

Insurance is fundamentally compulsory for international students staying in Switzerland for more than three months. However, exceptions are possible:

• EU/EFTA students with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) can be exempted from the obligation if their existing insurance cover is deemed to be sufficient.
• Students from third countries generally are not eligible for an exemption – they usually require special insurance for students, which has significantly lower premiums than regular insurance.
• The exemption must be applied for from the cantonal authorities within the first three months after arrival and is only valid for the duration of the study programme.

Anyone moving to Switzerland must register with a health insurer within three months of their arrival. From this point onwards, compulsory basic health insurance also covers all pregnancy and birth-related costs (check-ups, ultrasound scans, hospital birth, midwife consultations, etc.) – without any deductible or excess.

It may also make sense to take out supplementary insurance (e.g. semi-private/private ward, alternative treatment methods, additional ultrasound scans, breastfeeding allowance). Please bear in mind that restrictions or waiting periods may apply for existing pregnancies.

It is not possible to insure an unborn child. After the birth, parents have three months' time in which to take out health insurance for their child. Compulsory basic insurance then applies retroactively with effect from the day of the birth. Our tip: already register your baby with a health insurer during the pregnancy.

• That way, your child will be well covered from the first day of their life.
• If they are born prematurely or with an illness, they will have immediate insurance cover.
• For most supplementary insurance policies, no health check is required before the birth.
• Certain health insurers offer to accept unborn children without any restrictions, and in some cases even provide cover for birth defects.
• After the birth, you will be able to devote yourself entirely to your newborn baby.

Statutory health insurance is the foundation of the Swiss healthcare system. However, it alone is not sufficient to protect you against the risks you face on a daily basis, both at work and in your private life.

Some types of insurance are compulsory in Switzerland. Others are voluntary, but nevertheless highly recommended.

New in Switzerland and wondering which types of insurance are really important? Our advisors will help you to maintain an overview and work with you to find the right solution for your situation.