Getting health insurance in Switzerland

If you’ve just moved to Switzerland (or are planning your move) you’ve probably heard that Swiss health insurance is mandatory. But figuring out what to do, when to do it, and what options are available can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not fluent in French. Here’s what you need to know to get your health insurance sorted without unnecessary stress.

You have 3 months to sign up!

When you become a resident in Switzerland, you have three months to register for basic health insurance (often referred to as LAMal). This applies to everyone, whether you’re employed, self-employed, unemployed, or a student.

Even though you have three months to choose a provider, coverage is backdated to your arrival date. So don’t wait until the last minute, as you’ll be expected to pay premiums from the first day you became a resident. If you don’t take action within the 3 months, the canton will assign you a provider, and you will be required to pay for it.

What the basic insurance covers

Basic insurance covers:

• General practitioner (GP) visits
• Emergency care (within Switzerland and under certain conditions abroad)
• Hospital treatment (in a shared ward)
• Medications on the official list
• Maternity care

It doesn’t cover dental care, alternative therapies, or private/specialist rooms in hospitals. If you want those, you’ll need to consider complementary insurance (called assurance “complémentaire”).

How to choose a provider

There are dozens of insurance companies offering basic health insurance, and they all provide the same mandatory coverage, because it’s required by law. However, premiums can vary depending on:

• The chosen insurance provider
• Your age
• Your canton and commune of residence
• The deductible (called “franchise”) you choose

Premiums in Geneva are among the highest in Switzerland, so it’s worth comparing providers. Online tools like Priminfo (official comparison tool by the Swiss government) or Comparis can help.

How to lower your premium

Here are a few ways to reduce your monthly premium:

• Choose a higher deductible (franchise): the higher it is, the lower your monthly payment.
• Opt for a managed care model (HMO, Telmed, or GP model): you agree to contact a specific doctor or call a health advice line before seeing a specialist.
• Some insurance providers offer small discounts if you pay annually instead of monthly.

Don’t forget accident coverage (“assurance-accidents”)

If you work more than 8 hours per week for a single employer, you’re usually covered for accidents through your job. If not, you must add accident coverage to your health insurance policy. This applies to freelancers, students, job seekers, and part-time employees under the 8-hour threshold. When you get injured in an accident, whether personal or professional, you will not need to pay any deductible or co-payment.

More info on deductibles (“franchise”)

The deductible is the amount you need to pay out-of-pocket before your health insurance starts covering your medical costs. You can choose your deductible amount, which typically ranges from CHF 300 to CHF 2500 per year (0 to 600 CHF for children up to 18 years old). The higher your deductible, the lower your monthly premiums will be, but keep in mind that you’ll pay more upfront for medical care until you reach that deductible amount.

About co-payments (“quote-part”)

Once you’ve met your annual deductible, you will need to pay a 10% co-payment for most medical expenses. This means that for any further treatment or services, you’ll pay 10% of the cost, and your insurer will cover the remaining 90%. However, there is a cap on this: you won’t pay more than CHF 700 per year for adults, or CHF 350 for children, after reaching the deductible.

Exemptions from LAMal in certain cases

In some cases, individuals can apply for an exemption (“dispense”) from mandatory Swiss health insurance (LAMal). This applies when you are already covered by an equivalent insurance scheme. For example, international civil servants, diplomats, and some employees of international organizations often benefit from an employer-provided plan and may not need to register for Swiss insurance. To be exempt, a formal request must be submitted to the Service de l’Assurance Maladie (SAM) within three months of your arrival or the start of your role (if you were already residing in Switzerland). You can download the relevant forms here (ge.ch).

Health insurance for international students, au pairs, and trainees

If you’re an international student, au pair, or trainee, you may be eligible for special low-cost insurance plans that comply with Swiss law but are tailored to temporary residents. Insurers like Swisscare or others offer affordable options that meet LAMal requirements.