Health insurance when moving to Switzerland: the checkpoints

Health insurance is compulsory in Switzerland; basic insurance (Grundversicherung) protects in case of illness, maternity and accident, offers all insured people the same scope of benefits and is carried out by licensed insurers.

Basic insurance premiums do not depend on income and differ by insurer, place of residence and form of insurance; insured people share in treatment costs through the deductible (Franchise), own share (Selbstbehalt) and hospital contribution.

People subject to the insurance obligation can choose freely among the licensed insurers, and for basic insurance these must accept them without regard to age and state of health, without reservations and waiting periods.

All members of a family, adults and children alike, are insured individually; there is no family insurance.

Everyone with their place of residence in Switzerland must take out health care insurance within three months of taking up residence, regardless of nationality.

If you join in time, the insurance starts when you take up residence and the premiums are payable retroactively; if you register late, cover starts only on joining, and for inexcusable delay a premium surcharge is added.

The cantons ensure compliance with the insurance obligation; if you do not insure yourself in time, the cantonal authority assigns you to an insurer and you can then not choose it yourself.

The obligation is tied to residence in Switzerland. If you also work there, you remain covered through your residence. Whether an exception may apply to you, you clarify with the cantonal office of your future place of residence.

Nationals of a party to the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons who are not gainfully employed in Switzerland receive the residence permit if they show sufficient resources for themselves and their family members and health insurance cover that covers all risks; if this cover later lapses, the permit can be revoked or not renewed.

Which documents the migration office of your future canton of residence requires, you ask there.

The guidance on equivalence and exemption comes from the Health Directorate of the Canton of Zurich; other cantons may differ. More on the policy at international health insurance.

Before you deregister (Abmeldung) in Germany, you clarify in writing what happens to your current insurance. The questions below apply to any destination country. They are questions, not legal advice: the answers are in your contract documents or come from the body you ask.

You clarify three Switzerland topics in advance with your Krankenkasse (statutory health insurer): the EHIC, a possible S1 (form for your entitlement in the new country of residence) and what applies after you deregister (Abmeldung) in Germany.

If you have statutory insurance: questions for your Krankenkasse

• What happens to my membership when I deregister in Germany, and on what date does it end?
• Can I suspend the membership or take it up again later, and under what conditions?
• What confirmation of my previous insurance periods do I receive, and how quickly?
• What applies to co-insured family members: who stays insured and who does not?
• Is an S1 an option for me, and who issues it?
• Does my EHIC apply until I deregister, and what applies after that?

If you have private insurance: questions for your insurer

• Does my contract end with the move, is it suspended or does it continue?
• Is there an Anwartschaft (a German option to keep certain rights in private insurance while abroad), and what is preserved under it? Ask about the difference between the small and the large Anwartschaft, and whether a new health assessment would be needed on a return.
• Does my contract apply in the destination country, and for how long at a stretch?
• Which documents do I receive in writing before I cancel?
• Does the policy apply in Switzerland, and does the insurer issue the confirmation that a cantonal office requires for an exemption?
• Does the insurer confirm scope of cover, area and term in writing?

Do not cancel any contract before it is clarified in writing what applies afterwards. We explain the connections on the pages Health insurance when emigrating and PKV and Anwartschaft. For families, there is more at Health insurance for the family abroad.

1. Missing the three-month deadline

   Register with an insurer before the deadline expires. If you join in time, the insurance starts when you take up residence and the premiums are payable retroactively; if you register late, cover starts only on joining, and for inexcusable delay a premium surcharge is added. The cantons ensure compliance with the insurance obligation; if you do not insure yourself in time, the cantonal authority assigns you to an insurer and you can then not choose it yourself.

2. Assuming an exemption

   Whether a private policy is sufficient is decided by the cantonal office. With a residence permit without gainful activity, you can apply to be exempted from the insurance obligation if you have equivalent insurance. Clarify this before the move.

3. The EHIC as a permanent solution

   The EHIC is also valid in Switzerland, but only for a temporary stay. Ask your Krankenkasse (statutory health insurer) about the route for a change of residence.

4. Forgetting family members

   All members of a family, adults and children alike, are insured individually; there is no family insurance. Register everyone.

5. Confusing basic and supplementary insurance

   For supplementary insurance under the Federal Act on the Insurance Contract, the insurer may ask questions about your state of health, add reservations or reject the application; this does not apply to basic insurance. Plan both separately.