Clarity is important here:

Are you moving to Switzerland and don't know whether you can or have to take out insurance in Switzerland ?

Family sitting among moving boxes in their new home

The Basic Insurance covers basic needs in the event of illness, accident, and maternity. The benefits of basic insurance are the same for all health insurance providers. Premiums depend on your place of residence and age. Basic insurance is compulsory — for you too?

Subject to compulsory insurance?

Subject to compulsory insurance?

In Switzerland, insurance is compulsory in the area of basic insurance according to the principle. In plain language this means:

If you move your place of residence from abroad to Switzerland and work here or draw your pension from Switzerland, you must take out health insurance in Switzerland.

As the Swiss system is a per capita premium, families must apply for basic insurance for each individual person. individual person must apply for basic insurance.

Once you have registered with the residents' registration office, you have a maximum of three months to take out compulsory health insurance. If you register within this period, you will be insured from the date you take up residence. The premiums must also be paid retroactively to this date. If you miss the deadline, it only applies from the date of joining. In addition, the health insurance company will charge a fee for late registration.

Basic insurance covers a lot - and yet leaves important insurance needs unmet, for example for complementary medicine, fitness, protection abroad, comfort in hospital or dental care. That's why supplementary insurance is worthwhile!

Not subject to compulsory insurance

Transferring your place of residence to Switzerland with an employment contract in another EU/EFTA country
You are employed in another EU/EFTA country and move to Switzerland. Due to the red employment principle, you are subject to compulsory insurance in your employer's country and cannot take out health insurance in Switzerland.

Moving to Switzerland with a pension from another EU/EFTA country
You move to Switzerland but receive your pension from an EU/EFTA country. Due to the principle, you are subject to compulsory insurance in the country from which you receive your pension. You cannot take out health insurance in Switzerland.

Posting from abroad to Switzerland
You are posted to Switzerland by your employer for a certain period of time and temporarily move your place of residence to Switzerland. In this case, you are not subject to Swiss compulsory insurance and cannot take out health insurance in Switzerland.