If you come from the UK, the idea of a free national health service does not carry over. If you come from the US, the idea of cover tied to a job does not either. Switzerland sits somewhere in between, and once you see the logic, it is quite simple.
The big picture: one law, many private insurers
Swiss health insurance is built on a federal law called the LAMal (in German, KVG). It says that everyone who lives in Switzerland takes out basic health insurance (the assurance de base, or Grundversicherung). The state does not run the plan. Private insurers, called Krankenkassen or health funds, sell it.
Here is the part that surprises newcomers: the basic cover is the same for everyone. Every insurer has to accept you for it, and every insurer offers the same list of covered treatments. What differs is the price, the service and the options you choose around the edges. For a deeper look at the law itself, see LAMal: the mandatory health insurance, explained.
Who has to be insured, and by when
Anyone who takes up residence in Switzerland has to be covered by basic insurance. The rule is that you sign up no later than three months after you register your home address (FOPH). The date counts from your residence, not from the day you pick an insurer.
What happens next depends on timing:
- Within the deadline: cover is backdated to the day you took up residence. Premiums are then due from that day, even if you only signed in the last week.
- After the deadline: cover starts when you join, a surcharge can apply if the delay is not excusable, and the cantonal authority may assign an insurer to you (FOPH).
So there is real room to prepare from abroad, and there is also no benefit in waiting. Families who arrive in summer, for example, often compare offers while still packing boxes, then sign once their address is confirmed. For the first weeks in general, see health insurance for newcomers.
How the money flows
Think of four layers of cost. They explain almost every bill you will see.
- Premium. A monthly amount you pay to the insurer. It is the same price for an adult whatever their health, but it varies by insurer, canton and model. Children usually have a lower premium. See what health insurance costs.
- Deductible (franchise). The part of your yearly medical bills you pay yourself before the insurer starts to reimburse.
- Co-payment (quote-part). After the deductible, you still pay a small share of each bill. There is a yearly ceiling on this share, and children have a lower ceiling.
- Extras. Items outside basic cover, such as many dental treatments, are paid by you or by optional supplementary insurance.
Deductibles: the choice that changes your premium
The ordinary deductible for an adult is CHF 300 per year (FOPH). Children have no ordinary deductible. Adults can pick a higher one: CHF 500, CHF 1,000, CHF 1,500, CHF 2,000 or CHF 2,500 (FOPH). In return, the insurer lowers your monthly premium.
The trade-off is straightforward. A high deductible means a cheaper premium but a bigger bill in a year with lots of care. A low one is the opposite. Households that rarely see a doctor tend to look at higher options, while people with regular treatment often keep the ordinary level. The full picture is in choosing your deductible and insurance model.
Insurance models
Besides the deductible, you choose a model. The cover is the same; the difference is how you reach care.
- Standard model. You can go to any approved provider directly.
- Family doctor model. You contact a chosen general practitioner first, who refers you on.
- Telemedicine model. You call a phone or video service before seeing anyone in person.
- Health maintenance organization (HMO). You visit a group practice linked to the insurer.
The more you narrow your access, the lower the premium. Not every model is sold in every region, so what you see depends on the address you give.
Basic cover and supplementary cover
Basic insurance covers the care the law lists: doctor visits, hospital stays in the common ward of the approved hospitals in your canton, many medicines, maternity checks and delivery, and more. Accident cover is part of it if you have no employer accident insurance, which is a separate topic: see accident insurance.
Supplementary insurance is optional and run under different rules. It can add things like a semi-private hospital room or more choice of hospital. Insurers can decline these applications or add conditions. Our page on supplementary insurance explains what it adds and what it does not.
A simple path from abroad
Here is the order that works for most people.
- Confirm your arrival plan and permit route. The permit finder can give you a first idea.
- Gather proof of your home address once you have a lease or a place to live.
- Request offers for basic insurance for the commune where you will live, since prices follow the address.
- Choose a deductible and a model.
- Sign, then wait for the confirmation letter and the insurance card.
- Keep the policy number to hand when you visit a doctor for the first time. If you need an English-speaking one, see finding an English-speaking doctor.
Add these dates to your relocation calendar so the three-month window does not slip past during the move.
Special situations
Coming from the EU or EFTA. Some people already have cover from their home country, for example if they are posted for a short time. Whether this replaces Swiss basic insurance depends on the rules for your status, and the authority decides.
Coming from outside Europe. People from the US, India, Canada, Australia, Singapore or the Gulf generally come in under the rules for non-EU nationals. Your old plan, such as a US employer plan or a UK private plan, does not replace Swiss basic cover once you live here. See coming from outside the EU.
Sent by an employer. Companies handle things differently: some pay part of the premium, some sign a group agreement. Read if your employer is sending you for the questions to ask HR.
Pregnancy. Maternity care is covered by basic insurance. Leave rules are a separate topic: see maternity and parental leave in Switzerland.
Mistakes to watch for
- Assuming an international plan from home is enough.
- Waiting for the first bill to start thinking about cover.
- Picking the lowest premium without looking at the deductible attached to it.
- Forgetting that children need their own policy.
- Not checking whether a model is available at your new address.
A specialist can look at your own situation, because family size, permit and employer all change the answer. You can send the request at the bottom of the page when you are ready.
Frequently asked questions
Is health insurance compulsory in Switzerland?
Yes. Basic health insurance is compulsory for everyone who lives in Switzerland. It has to be in place within three months of taking up residence (FOPH).
Is Swiss health insurance public or private?
It is a mix. The law and the rules for basic cover are public, but the plans are sold by private, non-profit-style insurers that compete on price and service.
Can an insurer refuse me for basic cover?
No. For basic cover, insurers have to accept every applicant living in their area, whatever the person's age or health.
Does the basic plan differ from one insurer to another?
No. The list of covered treatments is set by law. Insurers differ on price, service quality and the models they offer.
What happens if I sign up late?
If you miss the three-month deadline, cover starts only from the date you join, a surcharge can apply, and the cantonal authority may assign an insurer (FOPH).
Is my cover backdated if I sign on time?
Yes. If you meet the deadline, cover reaches back to the date you took up residence, and premiums are due from then on (FOPH).
What is a deductible?
It is the amount of medical costs you pay yourself each year before the insurer starts to repay your bills. The ordinary adult level is CHF 300 per year (FOPH).
Which deductible levels can adults choose?
Adults can pick CHF 500, CHF 1,000, CHF 1,500, CHF 2,000 or CHF 2,500 in place of the ordinary one, in return for a lower premium (FOPH).
Do children have a deductible?
Children have no ordinary deductible. They also pay a lower yearly share of costs than adults.
What is the co-payment?
After you pass the deductible, you pay a small percentage of each bill, up to a yearly ceiling. The insurer covers the rest of covered treatments.
Can I use my UK or US health insurance instead?
Once you live in Switzerland, a plan from home does not replace Swiss basic cover. Some people keep it as an extra for travel, but the Swiss policy is still required.
Does my employer pay for my insurance?
Not automatically. Some employers contribute or set up group deals, while many leave the choice to you. Ask HR early in the process.
Is dental care covered?
Mostly not. Basic cover includes only a few dental cases. Routine check-ups and most treatments are paid by you or by supplementary insurance.
What is a family doctor model?
It is a cheaper way of using the same basic cover. You see your chosen general practitioner first, and they send you on to specialists if needed.
Can I switch insurers later?
Yes. People can change insurer under the rules and notice periods set by the law. Check the exact conditions with the insurer before you cancel.
Do I need supplementary insurance?
Not by law. It adds comfort and choice, for example in hospital. Many newcomers start with basic cover only and look at extras later.
Are pre-existing conditions a problem?
Not for basic cover, because insurers cannot reject you or charge more for health reasons. Supplementary insurance is different and may involve a health questionnaire.
How do I pay doctor bills?
Depending on the provider, the bill goes either to you or directly to the insurer. When it comes to you, you pay and then send it for reimbursement, or the insurer takes care of it.
Does premium price depend on my age or health?
For basic cover, the premium does not depend on health. Prices differ by insurer, canton, model, deductible and age group (children, young adults, adults).
How do I get a card and a policy number?
After you sign, the insurer sends a confirmation and an insurance card by post to your Swiss address. Keep it with you for medical visits.
Where can I get help comparing options?
The page on what health insurance costs is a good start. For a personal review of your case, send a request through the form at the bottom of the page.