Moving to Switzerland: the three months to arrange your health insurance
Just moved to Switzerland? Basic health insurance is compulsory, and the clock starts on the day you arrive. Here is how joining an insurer works.
In Switzerland, health insurance is paid neither by your employer nor by the state: everyone takes out their own policy with an insurer. It is compulsory for anyone living in the country, whatever their nationality, and it is one of the few formalities that comes with a deadline.
Three months, and cover backdated to your arrival
You have three months at most, from the day you take up residence, to join an insurer. Meet that deadline and the policy takes effect retroactively from the day you arrived: medical costs incurred in the meantime are reimbursed, and you pay the premiums for that period.
Miss it and cover only starts when you join, with the authority appointed by the canton picking an insurer on your behalf. Best to deal with it in your first few weeks.
One policy per person
There is no such thing as family cover here: every member of the household, adult or child, is insured individually, and a newborn also has three months from birth.
You are free to choose your insurer, and none of them may turn you down for basic insurance (assurance de base), whatever your age and your state of health, with no exclusions and no waiting period. The benefits are the same everywhere — illness, maternity, and accidents where you are not covered elsewhere. Only the price differs.
Who can be exempted
A policy taken out abroad does not release you from the Swiss requirement. Exemptions exist, but they are limited and have to be applied for:
- people posted to Switzerland by a foreign employer for a limited period;
- students coming to study here without working;
- people holding diplomatic privileges;
- people coming solely for medical treatment or a course of care.
In the canton of Fribourg, the application goes to your municipality of residence.
Two things not to forget
If your employer insures you against accidents, the accident cover in your basic policy can be suspended and the premium reduced accordingly. The canton also pays a premium reduction (réduction des primes) to households whose income stays below certain limits; in Fribourg it is run by the cantonal AVS compensation fund.
How we can help
We meet people who have just settled in the region for a free arrival meeting, on request through our contact form: we go through what needs sorting out with you, health insurance included. An insurance review is free of charge for our clients.
The first Swiss tax return follows soon after: our Premium and Confort packages include a second consultation.
A question about settling in Switzerland? Call us.
+41 26 303 36 69