Illness and Accidents

All Swiss residents are obligated to individually obtain health insurance (basic insurance, Grundversicherung). People moving to Switzerland must do so within three months. Costs of illnesses that arise before this three-month period are retroactively covered. Basic insurance is offered by numerous private health insurers (Krankenkassen) and may be chosen freely. Health insurers must accept all Swiss residents.

Those insured pay a monthly premium. Premiums vary according to insurance company and insurance model. Comparing offers is recommended. Changing insurance companies is possible by the end of November every year for the following year. Basic insurance covers the costs of illness as well as pregnancy and childbirth. Benefits are legally bound.

Attention: costs for dental care or glasses are generally not covered, unless you have a voluntary supplementary insurance policy.

Employees who work over 8 hours a week are automatically insured against accidents at work and in their free-time through their employers. Persons who work fewer hours are not insured for accidents that happen in their free-time and must obtain their own accident insurance. This also applies for self-employed and unemployed persons. Unemployed persons must obtain accident insurance through their health insurance company. Those who are self-employed can obtain accident insurance from other insurance companies. Insured persons must pay a monthly premium. Employees' premiums are deducted directly from their monthly wages.

People who cannot afford to pay a health insurance premium may be entitled to a premium reduction (Prämienverbilligung) for basic insurance. To obtain a premium reduction, an application form must be submitted and details on income and assets disclosed. If the request is granted, you pay a lower premium from the following month. The office for social contributions has further information on premium reductions and receives applications.

In addition to compulsory basic insurance one can take out various supplementary insurances (Zusatzversicherungen). These offer benefits that basic insurance does not, such as dental care. Most insurance companies offer supplementary insurance. They are not obliged to offer suplementary insurance to all persons, in contrast to basic insurance, and can impose conditions.