Legal deadline
The 3-month deadline: what you need to know
Every person residing in Switzerland must have mandatory health insurance (Art. 3 KVG). The deadline starts when you register with the residents' registration office. If you sign up in time, you are insured retroactively from the date you moved in.
If you are late, a penalty surcharge of 30 to 50 percent applies, for twice the duration of the delay and up to a maximum of 5 years. The same 3-month deadline applies to newborns from their date of birth. It pays to read up on basic insurance early on.
Warning
If you miss the deadline, the canton assigns you to a health insurer by force, often at significantly higher rates.
Your roadmap
Your first 90 days in Switzerland, step by step
Day 1–7
Arrive
- Register with the residents' registration office
- Receive your residence certificate
- The deadline starts NOW
Week 2–3
Get informed
- Understand basic insurance
- Get to know the deductible options
- Compare models
Month 1–2
Compare
- Compare premiums
- Review supplementary insurance
- Check premium reduction
Month 2–3
Sign up
- Choose an insurer
- Submit your application
- Send proof to your municipality
After month 3
It gets expensive
- Forced assignment by the canton
- 30–50% penalty premium
- No coverage for the gap period
New in Switzerland? Compare all health insurers now.
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Checklist
The documents you need
Tick off what you already have and bring the rest when you sign up.
Mandatory
What is basic insurance?
Mandatory. Every insurer MUST accept you, there is no health check. Benefits are identical with every insurer, the only difference is the price. More about the health insurance models.
Standard model
Free choice of doctor, highest premium, full flexibility.
Family doctor model
Family doctor first, then referral. 10–15% cheaper.
Telmed/HMO
Phone consultation or HMO centre first. 15–25% cheaper, the most affordable option.
Out-of-pocket share
Choosing your deductible: how to save the right way
The deductible is the amount you pay yourself each year before your health insurer takes over. See the deductible in detail.
| Deductible | You pay yourself | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| CHF 300 | First 300 + 10% | Frequent doctor visits, families |
| CHF 500 | First 500 + 10% | Occasional visits |
| CHF 1'000 | First 1'000 + 10% | Healthy adults |
| CHF 1'500 | First 1'500 + 10% | Rarely ill |
| CHF 2'000 | First 2'000 + 10% | Very rarely ill |
| CHF 2'500 | First 2'500 + 10% | Maximum savings |
Note: the out-of-pocket share is capped at CHF 700 per year. Maximum costs = deductible + 700 + premiums.
We'll find the best health insurance for you
Optional & voluntary
Supplementary insurance: do I need it as a new arrival?
Voluntary, BUT: insurers can turn you down (health check). The earlier you sign up, the better. All options at a glance on the supplementary insurance page.
Dental insurance
Basic insurance pays NO dental costs. From CHF 8–25/mo. Highly recommended.
Learn moreHospital insurance
Semi-private/private, free choice of hospital. From CHF 30–100/mo. Optional.
Learn moreAlternative medicine
Acupuncture, osteopathy and more. From CHF 15–40/mo.
Learn moreGlasses insurance
Up to CHF 300/year. From CHF 5–15/mo. Recommended for glasses wearers.
Learn moreFinancial support
Premium reduction: financial support for new arrivals
If your income is low, you can apply for the individual premium reduction (IPV). This also applies to new arrivals. Details on premium reduction.
Zurich
Eligible with an income below approx. CHF 54'000.
Bern
Eligible with an income below approx. CHF 42'000.
Lucerne
Eligible with an income below approx. CHF 36'000.
Amounts vary by family size and canton. Contact your municipality or the cantonal compensation office.
Over 165'000 people move to Switzerland every year.
Not all of them choose the cheapest health insurance. Will you?
Avoid these
The 5 most expensive mistakes new arrivals make
- 1
Missing the deadline
30–50% penalty premium for twice the duration of the delay.
- 2
Standard model without comparing
HMO or Telmed saves 15–25% with identical benefits.
- 3
Choosing the lowest deductible
CHF 300 costs CHF 1'200–1'800 more per year in premiums.
- 4
First insurer without comparing
Up to CHF 4'200/year difference for identical benefits. Switching early pays off, see switching health insurance.
- 5
Forgetting supplementary insurance
Basic insurance covers NO dental treatments, and you may be rejected later.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions: health insurance for new arrivals
Yes. Art. 3 of the Swiss Health Insurance Act (KVG) obliges every person residing in Switzerland to take out basic insurance. The deadline starts when you register with the residents' registration office. If you are late, a penalty surcharge of 30 to 50 percent applies for twice the duration of the delay.
No. For basic insurance there is an obligation to accept. Every insurer must accept you regardless of age or state of health. For supplementary insurance, a health check is possible.
Yes. Basic insurance benefits are regulated by law and identical with all insurers. The only difference is the price.
The canton assigns you to a health insurer by force, usually on the most expensive model. On top of that, you pay a penalty surcharge of 30 to 50 percent for twice the duration of the delay, up to a maximum of 5 years.
Supplementary insurance is voluntary. Important to know: dental treatments are not covered by basic insurance. Signing up early pays off, as insurers can require a health check later on.
No. Anyone taking up residence in Switzerland must take out Swiss health insurance. An exception applies to cross-border commuters with a right of option.
Yes, also as a new arrival. With a low income (below CHF 36'000 to CHF 54'000 depending on the canton), you are entitled to individual premium reduction.
Valid passport or ID, residence permit, residence certificate, AHV number. Most insurers offer online registration.
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