New to Switzerland
There are a few important things that you need to know about general health insurance. Basically, everyone living or working in Switzerland needs to have Swiss health insurance.
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Health insurance for foreigners
General health insurance is mandatory in Switzerland. Everyone living or working in Switzerland must have this basic insurance. Foreigners with residence or work permits valid for longer than three months are required to take out Swiss health insurance, with only a few exceptions. Mandatory health insurance in Switzerland is of a high quality and provides the same benefits for everyone for illness, accident and maternity.
Moving to Switzerland: 3 months to apply
After moving to Switzerland, you have three months in which to take out mandatory basic insurance. If taken out within this deadline, insurance cover and payment of premiums begin from the date you take up residence in Switzerland or the date your child is born. To make sure you are properly covered, we recommend taking out health insurance early. Incidentally, every member of the family – whether adult or child – is insured individually. We need confirmation of residence from the commune in which you live before we can sell you insurance.
Obligation to take out mandatory basic insurance
Everyone living or working in Switzerland is required to take out mandatory basic insurance with a general health insurance company. However, there are a few exceptions from this obligation. If you move to Switzerland but your employment contract – or your pension – stems from an EU/EFTA country, for example.
Exemptions from obligation to take out insurance
Do you earn your money in Switzerland, but live in Germany, Austria, France or Italy? A special rule applies to cross-border commuters: They can choose whether they want to be insured in Switzerland or in their country of residence. With Insurance for cross-border commuters from CSS, you enjoy optimum cover in both countries.
If you move to Switzerland but your employment contract – or your pension – stems from an EU/EFTA country, you are exempt from mandatory insurance. In this case, your German health insurance, for example, is valid in Switzerland. Information on all exemptions is provided by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).
You are sent by your employer to work in Switzerland for a certain period of time and take up residence in Switzerland temporarily. In this case, you are exempt from the requirement to take out insurance in Switzerland and cannot take out Swiss health insurance.
The Number 1 in mandatory basic insurance
More than 1.75 million people trust CSS. Not without reason. Because, as a health partner, we’re there for our insured persons when they need us. With over 100 agencies throughout Switzerland, we’re always close to our clients.
Voluntary supplementary insurance
Basic insurance is mandatory, and no insurer can refuse to insure you if you live in Switzerland. However, basic insurance does not cover all your health-related expenses.
Voluntary supplementary insurance can extend the scope of your insurance cover. Premiums depend on where you live and how old you are.
Popular forms of supplementary insurance
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