Health insurance

Any person residing in Switzerland for more than three months must be covered by health insurance. The compulsory basic insurance covers medical treatment in the event of illness or an accident.
You are free to choose your insurance company from the approximately 90 different providers. The basic insurance is governed by law and comprises the same benefits for all insurers. The monthly premiums vary – so it is worth comparing premiums prior to entering into any contract.

Individual insurance companies offer special packages for foreign students. For further information, please contact the Health Insurance Advisory Service (KraBe).

A few weeks after having registered with the Citizen’s Registry Office, you will receive two official letters requesting you to take out health insurance within three months of entering Switzerland. By the specified deadline, you should have taken out a policy with a health insurance company of your choice. Should you fail to comply with this deadline, you will be allocated an insurer at the discretion of the respective authority.

Exemption from compulsory health insurance

Under certain circumstances, you may be exempt from having to take out compulsory health insurance in Switzerland. This applies in particular to holders of the European Health Insurance Card, and to privately insured non-EU citizens whose insurer is acknowledged by the Swiss authorities.

The Health Insurance Advisory Service (KraBe) website contains detailed information and downloads on the exact procedure.