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Health insurance and other insurance in Switzerland: what you need to know

Moving to a new country can be challenging. You suddenly become a foreigner. We help you to get your bearings quickly in Switzerland – particularly when it comes to insurance.

Health insurance (also referred to as “basic insurance”) is compulsory for everyone who lives in Switzerland. Once you have arrived, you must take out basic insurance within three months.
Anyone who works at least 8 hours a week for the same employer is automatically insured against occupational and non-occupational accidents via their employer. Persons who are not gainfully employed, self-employed people or family members must arrange for accident cover to be included as part of their health insurance.
With voluntary top-up insurance, you can secure additional benefits that are covered only partially, or not at all, by basic insurance.
Not compulsory, but strongly recommended. Covers any damage that you cause to third parties, or damage to your own belongings.
Particularly relevant with regard to mobility and everyday disputes.

Exceptions and special cases

If you already have health insurance in Switzerland and are now moving here, your basic insurance’s cross-border commuter tariff will be adjusted to the tariff applicable at your new Swiss domicile. In order to adjust the tariff, the health insurance fund that you have been with up until now will require a certificate of residence.

If you live in Switzerland but still receive your salary from the EU, another EFTA country or the UK, you are obliged to take out insurance in your employer’s country. Generally, this also applies if you are self-employed. In such cases, it is not possible to take out health insurance in Switzerland.

There are specific rules for anyone who works in Switzerland but lives in a neighbouring country. You can decide whether you wish to be insured in Switzerland or in the country where you live. Whichever you decide, you must inform the Swiss authorities within three months. If you choose to remain insured in your country of residence, you must apply for exemption from the requirement to take out insurance in Switzerland and provide proof of your existing health insurance. Anyone who misses the three-month deadline is automatically assigned to a Swiss health insurance fund and will not be able to cancel this cover until the end of the year at the earliest.

You can submit your application here:
V⁠i⁠s⁠a⁠n⁠a Services AG
Foreign insurance
Phone: +41 31 357 90 11
Email: support.ausland@visana.ch

Good to know

Cross-border commuters from Liechtenstein do not need to apply for an exemption.

Our insurance solutions for new arrivals

From basic insurance to travel insurance – as an all-lines insurer, V⁠i⁠s⁠a⁠n⁠a offers comprehensive cover, tailored to your situation.

Everything you need to know about health insurance in Switzerland

In Switzerland, health insurance is compulsory for everyone. Essential needs are covered by basic insurance in the event of illness, accident or maternity. All health insurance funds offer the same benefits. The premiums depend on your place of residence, your age and your chosen basic insurance model.

With top-up insurance, you can secure benefits that are not covered by basic insurance. These include, for example, acupuncture, osteopathy and massages. Depending on the insurance, you can benefit from contributions towards gym memberships, glasses, contact lenses and dental treatment.

Compulsory for all persons residing in Switzerland.

Medical treatment and hospital stays in Switzerland
Medication and therapy as per the catalogue of benefits
Choice between different insurance models (standard, general practitioner, telemedicine)
Flexible deductible for optimisation of premiums

Supplement basic insurance with additional benefits and comfort.

Free choice of doctor and hospital (semi-private/private)
Alternative and complementary medicine
Contributions towards glasses, dental treatment and preventive measures
Cover during trips and stays abroad

A must if you do not have accident cover via your employer.

Coverage of medical costs in the event of an accident (doctor, hospital, therapy)
Daily allowance upon inability to earn a living following an accident
Invalidity and death benefits
Complements basic insurance (AIA/UVG)
Ideal for persons who are not gainfully employed, as well as families
Can be combined with top-up health insurance
Worldwide insurance cover

For peace of mind at home and in daily life

With our insurance plans, you can protect yourself and your new home in Switzerland and also get excellent advice if disputes arise. In most Swiss cantons, household contents insurance is voluntary. However, we strongly recommend taking out this insurance, as damages can become very expensive, very quickly.

Insure your belongings against losses caused by fire, water, theft and more. This is important for anyone who has recently moved to Switzerland.

Protection against damage caused by fire, water, storms and hail
Cover in the event of theft, inside or outside your home
Cover for glass breakage
Compensation for damage caused by vandalism

Protects you against the financial consequences of any damage you cause to third parties.

Liability cover for personal injury, property damage and animal injury
Damage caused by pets or children is also covered
A wide range of top-up insurance plans allows cover to be tailored to individual needs
Worldwide cover

So that you get legal protection and professional support if any disputes arise in Switzerland.

Support in disputes relating to tenancy, employment or contracts
Motor legal protection insurance for accidents or fines
Coverage of lawyers’ and courts’ fees
Legal advice by phone included

Security when travelling in Switzerland and elsewhere

Be it car or travel insurance – we are at your side on every journey. With our insurance products, you are optimally covered, not only on Swiss roads, but also when travelling anywhere in the world.

With the right car insurance, you can drive with confidence in compliance with the law.

Mandatory liability insurance
Partially and fully comprehensive cover
Cover in the event of glass damage, theft and parked-vehicle damage
Assistance with importing and registering your vehicle

So that you have the best possible cover, even when travelling. Ideal when visiting family or friends abroad.

Hospital and repatriation costs abroad
Emergency assistance around the clock
Insurance cover for loss or theft of luggage
Cover for cancellation or curtailment of your trip

So that you get legal protection and professional support if any disputes arise in Switzerland.

Support in disputes relating to tenancy, employment or contracts
Motor legal protection insurance for accidents or fines
Coverage of lawyers’ and courts’ fees
Legal advice by phone included

Financial security for today and tomorrow

Safeguard your financial future with tailored pension solutions and wealth-accumulation options that suit your lifestyle in Switzerland.

Tailor your retirement planning and save on tax. Ideal as a supplement to OASI/AHV, as security for old age, or as a way of optimising your taxes.

Solutions for pillars 3a and 3b
Tax savings based on tied pension provision
Flexible payment options
Capital growth with guaranteed benefits
Provision for inability to earn a living, or death
Attractive returns

Combines savings goals with security. Ideal for retirement provision, safeguarding your family or financing any special wishes.

Guaranteed lump-sum payout when the contract ends
Additional cover for the event of death
Tax advantages upon payout
Customisable durations and contributions
Can be flexibly combined with other pension solutions

Complements your cover in daily working life: receive a regular income if you are temporarily unable to work.

Salary replacement in the event of illness or accident
Individually selectable daily allowance and waiting period
Complements employer benefits optimally
Cover for the self-employed, employees and families

Your advantages with V⁠i⁠s⁠a⁠n⁠a

A wide range of insurance from a single source
Multilingual and personal advice
Digital services via app and portal
Combo discounts and flexible models
Prompt calculation of benefits and reimbursement

Useful services for you

Smart insurance for comprehensive care. These services assist you:

With the health app Well, you can check symptoms, chat with a doctor or book appointments.

With myVisana, you can manage all your health insurance matters quickly and easily.

In emergencies at home (burst pipes, power cuts or other damage) our 24-hour home assistance service helps you quickly and reliably. It is available to you around the clock.

Frequently asked questions about health insurance and other insurance in Switzerland

Everyone who lives in Switzerland for longer than three months is required by law to take out compulsory health insurance. All family members – adults as well as children – must be insured individually.

You do not have to take out insurance in the following cases:

You work in an EU/EFTA country or receive a pension exclusively from an EU/EFTA Member State and move to Switzerland.
You are posted to Switzerland for a period of up to 24 months by an employer based in the EU or EFTA and move to Switzerland temporarily for that reason.

You are a member of a diplomatic mission or international organisation and have privileges under international law.

After your arrival, you have three months to take out insurance with a health insurance fund for yourself and your family members. The same deadline applies to parents of a newborn child. If you are pregnant and planning to move to Switzerland, you can register your baby before the birth.

With any health insurance fund in Switzerland. V⁠i⁠s⁠a⁠n⁠a is one of the largest. About 7% of the Swiss population are insured with V⁠i⁠s⁠a⁠n⁠a.

If you work at least eight hours a week for an employer, you do not need your own accident insurance, as you are insured against accidents through your employer.

Die Schweiz verfügt über eines der besten Gesundheitssysteme der Welt. Die Grundversorgung ist umfassend und hochstehend. Dieses System hat seinen Preis, der sich in den Prämien widerspiegelt.

By changing your deductible or basic insurance model, for example. The higher the deductible, the lower your premium. You can change your deductible each year with effect from 1 January or choose a different, more affordable insurance model, such as a telemedicine model or general practitioner model.

You can also suspend your insurance if you are resident abroad for longer than three months, or if your professional activity requires you to take out insurance elsewhere. If you suspend your insurance, you pay 10% of your premium and can unconditionally reactivate your top-up insurance after you return to Switzerland without having to make a health declaration.

Here are other ways you can save money on your premium:

Pay your premium every six months and get a 1% discount. This rises to 2% if you pay annually.
You can get discounts by taking out multi-year contracts. A 3-year contract entitles you to a 2% discount; this figure rises to 3% for a 5-year contract.
If you take out outpatient top-up insurance, you are eligible for our Wellness Cheques, which you can use for your gym membership, courses and recreation. This can save you up to CHF 350 a year.
If you stay active and are a loyal customer, you can get up to CHF 120 each year through our myPoints digital bonus programme.

You will find a summary of all our savings tips on the Saving and optimising page.

If you have health insurance with V⁠i⁠s⁠a⁠n⁠a, you benefit from a 10% discount on the premium for your household contents or personal liability insurance. Find out about the additional attractive discounts we offer on premiums for our top-up insurance plans, such as no-claims bonuses, health discounts and more.

The policy is a type of contract between you and the insurance company. It sets out all the key details and conditions of your insurance.

The deductible is the amount that you have to pay yourself each year if you have medical treatment. As a general rule, the higher the deductible, the lower your health insurance premium. Deductibles ranging from CHF 300 to CHF 2,500 are available. Tip: The lowest deductible of CHF 300 is only worthwhile if your healthcare costs amount to around CHF 2,000 or more per year.

The retention fee is the amount you pay yourself once your deductible has been used up. The retention fee is 10% of the eligible costs, up to a maximum of CHF 700 a year for adults.

The law does not prescribe an annual deductible for children. Parents only pay the retention fee that is levied on their child’s medical costs. This figure may not exceed CHF 350 per year. If several children from the same family are insured with V⁠i⁠s⁠a⁠n⁠a, the maximum annual out-of-pocket expenses will be CHF 950.