Swiss Health Insurance for Expats: Complete Guide (2025)

Swiss health insurance is mandatory. You have 3 months from your arrival to arrange it. Miss this deadline? Fines and problems.

Here's the quick answer: Budget CHF 300-500/month for basic coverage. Higher franchise (deductible) = lower monthly premium. Compare on Comparis or Priminfo before choosing.

The Swiss System: Public + Private

Swiss health insurance is different from most countries:

• Basic insurance (Grundversicherung): Mandatory for everyone. Same coverage at all insurers.
• Supplementary insurance (Zusatzversicherung): Optional extras like private rooms, dental, alternative medicine.

The basic coverage is identical regardless of which insurer you choose. The difference is only the price and service quality.

What Does Basic Insurance Cover?

Everything medically necessary:

✅ Doctor visits
✅ Hospital stays (semi-private shared room)
✅ Prescription medications
✅ Maternity care (100% covered)
✅ Emergency care
✅ Specialists with referral

NOT covered: ❌ Dental (unless accident-related)
❌ Vision/glasses
❌ Private hospital rooms
❌ Alternative medicine (most types)
❌ Comprehensive mental health (limited)

How Much Does It Cost?

Monthly premiums vary by:

• Canton: Geneva is expensive. Appenzell is cheap.
• Franchise: Higher deductible = lower premium
• Age: 26+ pays adult rates
• Model: HMO/Telmed is cheaper than standard

Typical Monthly Premiums

Understanding the Franchise System

This is where expats get confused (and often burned).

Franchise (Deductible): The amount you pay out-of-pocket before insurance kicks in.

After the franchise: You pay 10% of costs up to CHF 700/year. Then insurance covers 100%.

How to Choose

CHF 2,500 franchise if:

• You're healthy and rarely see doctors
• No planned medical procedures
• You'd rather pay less monthly and risk the deductible

CHF 300 franchise if:

• You're planning pregnancy/birth
• You have ongoing medical conditions
• You see specialists regularly

💡 Pro Tip: Young, healthy expats usually choose CHF 2,500. The math works out: You save CHF 1,800/year in premiums. Worst case (full deductible + 10%), you pay CHF 3,200. Best case (no doctor visits), you pay the CHF 300 franchise anyway but save overall.

Insurance Models: Standard vs HMO vs Telmed

Beyond franchise, you can choose a delivery model:

Telmed is popular with expats. You call a nurse hotline first (in English usually), they triage, and direct you to appropriate care. Minor savings, minimal inconvenience for most.

How to Choose an Insurer

Compare on:

• Comparis.ch – Most popular comparison site
• Priminfo.admin.ch – Official government tool

Top Insurers for Expats

Price vs. Service: The cheapest insurers (Assura, Groupe Mutuel) sometimes have slower claims processing. Mid-range insurers (Helsana, CSS) balance price and service.

The 3-Month Deadline

You must register for health insurance within 3 months of arriving in Switzerland.

What happens if you miss it:

• Assigned an insurer by the canton
• Likely the most expensive option
• No choice in franchise or model

Don't risk it. Compare and register within the first month.

The Switching Window

You can switch insurers once per year:

Standard franchise (CHF 300-500):

• Cancellation deadline: November 30
• New insurance starts: January 1

Higher franchise (CHF 1,000+):

• Cancellation deadline: November 30 (basic) or check your policy
• Some policies allow mid-year switching

💡 Pro Tip: Set a reminder for November 1. Compare your options. If you find something cheaper, send the cancellation letter by November 30 (must arrive by then, not just be posted).

Supplementary Insurance: Worth It?

Basic insurance is mandatory. Extras are optional but worth considering:

Key difference: Supplementary insurance can reject you based on pre-existing conditions. Apply when you're healthy.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Choosing Lowest Premium Without Understanding Franchise

CHF 300/month sounds great until you break your leg and owe CHF 2,500 before insurance pays anything.

Mistake 2: Waiting Until the Last Minute

Processing takes time. Start in your first month, not month three.

Mistake 3: Forgetting to Switch

You're locked in for 12 months. Every year, compare in November. Many expats stay with the same insurer out of laziness and overpay for years.

Mistake 4: Not Claiming Correctly

Submit claims through the insurer's app or portal. Keep receipts. Some services require pre-approval.

Conclusion: Your Action Plan

1. Compare now on Comparis or Priminfo
2. Choose your franchise based on health and risk tolerance
3. Register within 3 months of arrival
4. Set November reminder to compare annually

Swiss health insurance is expensive but comprehensive. The system isn't designed to bankrupt you – it's designed to ensure everyone has baseline coverage.

Choose wisely. You're locked in for a year.

Read Next

• Moving to Switzerland: Complete Guide – Everything for your first month
• Swiss Taxes for Expats – The other big expense
• Insurance Recommendations – Our vetted partners

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Swiss health insurance mandatory?

Yes. Everyone living in Switzerland must have basic health insurance (Grundversicherung). No exceptions for expats. You have 3 months from arrival to register.

How much is health insurance per month?

Budget CHF 300-500/month for basic coverage as an individual. Exact price depends on canton, franchise choice, and model (HMO/Telmed can be cheaper).

Can insurance reject me?

Basic insurance: No. Insurers must accept everyone for basic coverage.
Supplementary insurance: Yes. They can reject based on health history.

What's not covered?

Dental (except emergencies), vision, private hospital rooms, alternative medicine (mostly), and some mental health services. These require supplementary insurance.

Can I keep my home country insurance?

Only if you're from EU/EFTA and meet specific exemption criteria. Most expats must switch to Swiss insurance. Check with your canton for exemption rules.

Don't delay. Compare and register in your first month.