What types of insurance are mandatory in Switzerland?

Healthcare in Switzerland is universal and is regulated by the Swiss Federal Law on Health Insurance. Health insurance is compulsory for all persons residing in Switzerland and must be arranged within three months of your arrival or being born in the country. International civil servants, members of embassies, and their family members are exempted from compulsory health insurance. Requests for exemptions are handled by the respective cantonal authority and have to be addressed to them directly.

Health insurance covers the costs of medical treatment and hospitalization of the insured. However, the insured person pays part of the cost of treatment. This is done by these ways:

• by means of an annual excess (or deductible, called the franchise), which ranges from CHF 300 to a maximum of F CHF 2,500 for an adult as chosen by the insured person (premiums are adjusted accordingly)
• and by a charge of 10% of the costs over and above the excess. This is known as the retention, and is up to a maximum of 700CHF per year.

In case of pregnancy, there is no charge. For hospitalisation, one pays a contribution to room and service costs

• Basic health insurance (semi-private, private, basic)
• Accident insurance => provided either by the employer or yourself if you don’t work
• Cars and other vehicles
• Building insurance (estate owners only).
• Liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung) => in some cantons already compulsory in order to rent a property.
• Social security or unemployment insurance is also compulsory. It´s paid by the employer.

Highly recommended:

Content insurance (Hausratversicherung) incl. pet insurance

Dental work required by a serious disease is covered by standard health insurance. All other work, including routine check-ups with a dentist and braces, is not. Dental insurance is not legally required in Switzerland.

The amount of data, information and specific terminology may be confusing. Always check your contract for details.

If you have any questions regarding the insurance coverage, annual premiums, changing insurer, maternity leave please do not hesitate to contact us: info@easy-relocation.ch

Your EasyRelocation Team