Health insurance
Health insurance is mandatory for all persons resident in Switzerland. Employers are not responsible for providing this form of insurance and there is no automatic provision. You need to take out insurance on a private basis and within three months of taking up residence in Switzerland.
In many cases, no health insurance needs to be taken out with a Swiss health insurance fund for short stays in Switzerland (maximum four months with no registration requirement), provided that employees have good insurance cover against the risks of illness in their home country.
Note for doctoral students
Doctoral students can obtain exemption from the insurance obligation under certain conditions and providing they have equivalent insurance cover. Learn more
Compulsory basic insurance and voluntary supplementary insurance
Health insurance funds cover the compulsory statutory health insurance (KVG), also referred to as basic insurance, and voluntary supplementary insurance.
Compulsory basic insurance
Compulsory basic insurance ensures that you receive high-quality, comprehensive basic medical care in the event of an illness, accident or pregnancy. All health insurance funds offer the same basic insurance benefits. Every insurance fund is obliged to provide you with basic insurance cover, regardless of your age or state of health. There are various insurance models available for compulsory basic insurance. You could save on premiums depending on which model you choose.
Voluntary supplementary insurance
Supplementary insurance enables you to enhance your basic insurance cover to suit your personal requirements. You will have to complete a health questionnaire to take out supplementary insurance. Unlike compulsory basic insurance, health insurance funds may reject your application for supplementary insurance if they have any reservations. The benefits covered by supplementary insurance may include the following:
- Alternative medicine
- Psychotherapy
- Uncovered costs abroad (transport by ambulance, rescue operations)
- Visual aids
- Corrective orthodontic treatment for children
- Twin (semi-private) or single (private) hospital room
- Flexible choice of hospital ward
- Medication not covered by statutory health insurance
- Fitness and wellness benefits
Find out more
Please note: The information on this page is meant for information purposes only. No responsibility is taken for the correctness of this information. The rules and regulations may have changed in the meantime. For legally binding information please contact the responsible authority.