Health insurance in Switzerland for expats

Basic insurance is mandatory

Basic health insurance (called KVG in German and LAMal in French) is compulsory for everyone who takes up residence in Switzerland, including children. It covers the same core benefits with every insurer, because the benefits are set by law.

• Insurers must accept you for basic insurance, whatever your age or health.
• Premiums differ by insurer, canton, region, age group, deductible and model, so comparing is worthwhile.
• Each person in the family has their own policy and pays their own premium.

The 3-month rule

You must take out basic insurance within three months of taking up residence in Switzerland. If you sign up within this period, cover usually applies retroactively from the day you arrived, so treatment in your first weeks is covered.

If you miss the deadline, the canton can assign you to an insurer, and you may have to pay a late-payment surcharge on top of your premiums. Some people can be exempted (for example certain posted workers or people with equivalent foreign cover), but an exemption has to be requested and approved; it is not automatic.

Choosing your deductible (franchise)

The deductible, called Franchise in German and French, is the amount you pay yourself each year before the insurer starts paying. After the deductible you usually also pay a share of further costs (the retention), up to an annual cap.

• A low deductible means a higher monthly premium, but less to pay when you need care.
• A high deductible lowers the premium, but you carry more of the cost yourself.
• Children have their own, lower deductible levels.

The legal deductible levels and caps are set nationally and can change, so check the current figures with your insurer before you choose.

Insurance models: standard, family doctor, HMO, telmed

Besides the deductible, you choose a model. The care covered is the same; what changes is how you access it.

• Standard: free choice of doctor. Usually the most expensive.
• Family doctor: you first see your chosen GP, who refers you to specialists.
• HMO: you first go to a health centre from the insurer's network.
• Telmed: you first call a medical hotline before seeing a doctor.

Emergencies are covered in every model. The alternative models are usually cheaper, but you need to follow their rules, or the insurer may refuse to pay.

Supplementary insurance is optional

Supplementary insurance (called VVG in German and LCA in French) covers extras such as a semi-private or private hospital room, some alternative medicine, dental work or worldwide cover. It is optional.

Unlike basic insurance, supplementary cover is a private contract. Insurers ask health questions and can refuse you, limit cover or exclude existing conditions. That is why many people apply for it early, while they are healthy.

Accident cover, and special cases

If you are employed in Switzerland, your employer usually insures you against accidents (occupational, and non-occupational if you work enough hours a week). In that case you can usually remove accident cover from your health insurance and pay a little less. Self-employed people, students and people not in work keep accident cover in their health policy.

Diplomats and staff of international organisations may be subject to special rules: some are exempt from Swiss health insurance or covered by their organisation's own scheme. Check your position with your employer or mission before you sign anything.

General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules can vary by canton.