Welcome to Switzerland: all about health insurance for newcomers
Once you've arrived in Switzerland, you are required to take out basic insurance within three months of moving here. With the right excess and individually selected supplementary insurance, you’ll enjoy comprehensive cover from day one, allowing you to focus on your new life without any worries.
Moving to Switzerland: Paula’s journey to getting health insurance in Switzerland
Paula is a 32-year-old teacher from Munich. She is overjoyed to accept an offer of a job in St. Gallen. Moving to Switzerland feels like a big, long-awaited step – both professionally and personally.
But as soon as she steps foot in Switzerland, she needs to address the first considerations:
- How does health insurance work for foreigners in Switzerland?
- Am I automatically insured?
- How is the health system organised?
- What exactly do I need to do now?
Paula is new to Switzerland, and soon realises that sorting out health insurance is one of the most important tasks after moving house.
Registration and mandatory insurance: What is Paula's deadline for getting insurance?
When she registers in Switzerland, Paula finds out that health insurance is mandatory. From the date of her move, she has three months to take out basic insurance. She is relieved to learn that this insurance cover will apply retroactively from the date on which she officially registered in Switzerland. This means that she is covered from her entry date, even if she doesn’t take out basic insurance until a few weeks later. She does, however, have to pay the backdated premiums. Paula decides to deal with the matter straight away rather than leaving it until the last minute.
The Swiss health insurance system
When moving to Switzerland, it’s important to know how the healthcare system works. Everyone is required to take out mandatory basic insurance to cover basic medical care. Voluntary hospitalisation insurance is also available for more comfort and choice, as well as supplementary insurance for benefits that are not covered by basic insurance, such as preventive measures, alternative therapies or extended cover abroad.
Is basic insurance enough in Switzerland?
A conversation with a colleague in St. Gallen gives Paula food for thought. Following an accident, her colleague had to pay substantial additional costs herself because she was not covered in full by basic insurance. Those who are new to Switzerland are often unfamiliar with the details of the system. Basic insurance guarantees essential medical care, but does not automatically include options for comfort, a free choice of hospital, or additional benefits abroad.
Since Paula does sports and attaches great value to flexibility in the event of being admitted to hospital, she looks into supplementary insurance plans such as:
- Semi-private or private hospitalisation cover
- Supplementary insurance plans for health promotion and preventive measures
She gets in touch with SWICA and receives advice that is tailored to her specific needs.
Realistic planning for the costs of health insurance in Switzerland
When Paula receives her personal quote, she quickly realises that the costs of health insurance in Switzerland depend on many different factors, including the canton you live in, your chosen excess and your basic insurance plan.
Particularly when moving to Switzerland, it’s important to be aware of these differences in order to realistically estimate your premiums.
- How high can my deductible be in the event of an emergency?
- Do I want to maximise my flexibility or minimise my premiums?
A transparent quote helps you find the right balance between costs and peace of mind – particularly for foreigners who are still learning to navigate the Swiss healthcare system.
Basic insurance in Switzerland – your foundation when you move here
Everyone is required to take out mandatory basic insurance in Switzerland – including foreigners who move here. This provides comprehensive cover for all basic medical benefits in the event of illness, accident or maternity.
With SWICA, you benefit from seven insurance plans that offer appealing value for money. The plans only differ with regard to the first point of contact in the event of illness, which can be your GP, a SWICA partner pharmacy, or the santé24 online practice, for example. Please note: The scope of cover provided by basic insurance is prescribed by law and therefore identical under each plan (all benefits in detail).
These benefits are included in basic insurance
Conventional treatment and complementary medicine
Hospital stays in the general ward
Emergency transport
Treatment abroad in the event of emergencies
Free advantages enjoyed by SWICA customers
SWICA offers the right insurance cover for every situation in your life as a new arrival in the country. We provide numerous advantages to help you settle in quickly and feel well looked after from day one.
Arriving in Switzerland with good cover
Paula reads up on the advantages offered by SWICA and finds out what Swiss health insurance for non-Swiss nationals best suits her situation.
Following a personal consultation with SWICA Customer Services, she chooses suitable basic and supplementary insurance, and taking it out is easy – within the deadline of three months from her arrival in Switzerland.
With her policy in hand, the start to her life in Switzerland feels complete. That’s because she knows that her registration with a health insurer is taken care of, and she is comprehensively covered.
That means she can focus on what really matters – her new life in Switzerland.
New to Switzerland: frequently asked questions regarding health insurance for newcomers
Anyone who lives, works or draws a pension in Switzerland is required to have Swiss health insurance (basic insurance). There are a number of important points to consider.
SWICA has the most satisfied customers
SWICA has ranked among the best for years – and for good reason. Our customers are highly satisfied. You can also enjoy the benefits we provide, and put your faith in our experience.
Moving house and settling in: helpful tips
Culture, leisure, education, national languages: this is where you will find helpful information and useful links that will make it easier for you to get settled here in Switzerland. You will be able to find your feet quickly and focus on what matters — your health and your wellbeing.
