What Is KVG Basic Insurance?
KVG (Krankenversicherungsgesetz) is Switzerland's mandatory basic health insurance. Every person living in Switzerland must have it — no exceptions. You have 3 months from your arrival to enroll, and coverage is retroactive to your registration date.
The most important thing to understand: KVG benefits are 100% identical across all providers, set by federal law. Whether you choose Swica, CSS, Helsana, or any of the 50+ providers, you get the exact same medical coverage. The only differences are price and service quality.
Key Insight
Many expats don't realize that paying CHF 500/month for KVG gives you the exact same coverage as paying CHF 300/month with a different provider. The law mandates identical benefits. Choosing the right provider is purely about premium optimization and service preferences.
What KVG Covers: The Complete List
KVG basic insurance covers a comprehensive range of medical services:
Doctor Visits & Outpatient Care
- General practitioner (GP) consultations
- Specialist visits (with or without referral, depending on model)
- Laboratory tests and diagnostics
- X-rays, MRI, CT scans
- Physiotherapy (up to 9 sessions per prescription, extendable)
- Outpatient surgery
Hospital Stays
- Inpatient treatment in the general ward (shared room) of any listed hospital in your canton
- All medically necessary surgeries and procedures
- Intensive care
- Post-operative care and rehabilitation
Medications
- All medications on the official Spezialitätenliste (specialty list)
- You pay 10% co-pay on medications (20% for generics if you choose the brand-name)
Maternity & Childbirth
- All prenatal check-ups and ultrasounds
- Childbirth (natural or cesarean) in hospital
- Midwife care
- Postnatal care for mother and baby
- No deductible or co-pay for maternity — fully covered from week 13 of pregnancy
Mental Health
- Psychiatric and psychotherapeutic treatment (with medical referral)
- Since 2022, psychologists can bill KVG directly (with physician prescription)
Emergency & Transport
- Emergency room visits
- Ambulance transport: 50% covered, max CHF 500/year
- Rescue operations: 50% covered, max CHF 5,000/year
Coverage Abroad
- Emergency treatment in EU/EFTA countries via European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
- Emergency treatment outside EU: covered up to twice the Swiss equivalent cost
- No coverage for planned treatment abroad
- No medical evacuation or repatriation
Surprising Things KVG Covers
Many expats don't know that KVG covers: annual flu vaccination, smoking cessation programs, certain preventive screenings (mammography from age 50, colon cancer screening), and even some complementary medicine (acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy) when provided by a certified physician.
What KVG Does NOT Cover
These common medical needs are not included in basic insurance:
- Dental care: Only covered after accidents — regular dental check-ups and treatments are 100% out of pocket
- Glasses and contact lenses: Only for children under 18
- Private or semi-private hospital rooms: KVG covers general ward only
- Free choice of hospital doctor: In general ward, the hospital assigns the doctor
- Non-emergency treatment abroad: Planned surgeries or treatments outside Switzerland
- Most alternative medicine: Only covered when provided by a certified physician, not independent practitioners
- Fitness and wellness: No gym memberships or spa treatments
- Cosmetic procedures: Unless medically necessary
This is where VVG supplementary insurance becomes important — it fills these gaps.
Free Expert Consultation
Not sure what coverage you need?
Robert can analyze your health profile and recommend the right combination of KVG and VVG — free and with no obligation.
What Is VVG Supplementary Insurance?
VVG (Versicherungsvertragsgesetz) is voluntary supplementary insurance that covers what KVG doesn't. Unlike KVG, VVG products:
- Vary by provider — each insurer offers different products, prices, and conditions
- Require a health declaration — insurers can reject you based on pre-existing conditions
- Are not mandatory — you choose what you need (or nothing at all)
- Have different cancellation rules — typically require 3-month notice
VVG Product Categories
Ambulatory Supplements
The most popular VVG category. Covers outpatient services not included in KVG:
| Coverage | Typical Benefit | Monthly Cost (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Dental | CHF 1,000–5,000/year | CHF 20–60 |
| Glasses/contacts | CHF 150–300/year | Included in bundles |
| Alternative medicine | CHF 1,000–3,000/year | CHF 15–40 |
| Fitness contributions | CHF 200–800/year | Included in bundles |
| Prevention (vaccines, check-ups) | CHF 200–500/year | Included in bundles |
Hospital Supplements
Upgrade your hospital experience from general ward:
- Semi-private (Halbprivat): 2-bed room, choice of doctor — CHF 30-80/month
- Private (Privat): Single room, choice of chief doctor — CHF 80-200/month
- Worldwide hospital: Private coverage in any hospital globally — CHF 100-250/month
Travel & Emergency
- Extended worldwide emergency coverage beyond KVG limits
- Medical evacuation and repatriation
- Search and rescue (mountain accidents)
- Travel cancellation insurance
KVG vs VVG: Complete Comparison
| Feature | KVG (Basic) | VVG (Supplementary) |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory | Yes — required by law | No — voluntary |
| Benefits | Identical across all providers | Vary by provider and product |
| Acceptance | Must accept everyone | Can reject based on health |
| Health check | None | Health questionnaire required |
| Premium basis | Age, canton, deductible, model | Age, health status, coverage level |
| Switching | Annual (by Nov 30) | Varies (typically 3-month notice) |
| Hospital ward | General (shared room) | Semi-private or private available |
| Dental | Accident only | Check-ups and treatments covered |
| Alternative medicine | Only by certified physicians | Independent practitioners covered |
What You Pay: KVG Only vs KVG + VVG
| Scenario | KVG Only | KVG + VVG | VVG Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single, 30, Zurich, healthy | CHF 390/mo | CHF 440/mo | +CHF 50 (dental + ambulatory) |
| Single, 30, semi-private hospital | CHF 390/mo | CHF 460/mo | +CHF 70 (dental + hospital upgrade) |
| Family of 4, comprehensive | CHF 1,200/mo | CHF 1,500/mo | +CHF 300 (dental + ambulatory + children) |
When Should You Get VVG? (Apply Early!)
The most important rule for VVG: apply as early as possible, ideally within your first months in Switzerland. Here's why:
- VVG insurers assess your health at the time of application
- Pre-existing conditions can lead to exclusions, higher premiums, or outright rejection
- If you develop a condition after arriving, you may never be able to get certain VVG products
- Some products have waiting periods (6-24 months for dental, maternity)
Pro Tip
Apply for VVG supplementary insurance while you're healthy — even if you're not sure you need it. It's much easier to cancel VVG later than to get accepted after developing health issues. Dental and hospital supplements are particularly worth securing early.
Can You Split KVG and VVG Between Providers?
Yes! This is a common and often smart strategy in Switzerland. You can have:
- KVG basic insurance with Provider A (cheapest premium)
- VVG supplementary insurance with Provider B (best products)
For example: CSS for KVG (competitive premiums) and Helsana for VVG (broadest supplementary range). This lets you optimize both cost and coverage quality.
Free Expert Consultation
Need help choosing the right KVG + VVG combination?
Robert analyzes your health profile, budget, and needs to recommend the optimal insurance setup — completely free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is KVG the same at every insurance company?
Yes. KVG basic coverage is 100% identical by law. Every provider covers the same doctor visits, hospital stays, medications, and maternity care. The only differences are the premium you pay and the service quality (customer support, app, claims processing).
Do I need VVG supplementary insurance?
It depends on your needs. If you want dental coverage, alternative medicine, private hospital rooms, or comprehensive travel insurance, VVG is highly recommended. If you're healthy, rarely travel, and don't mind the general hospital ward, KVG alone may be sufficient.
Can VVG insurers reject me?
Yes. Unlike KVG, VVG insurers can reject your application or exclude specific conditions based on your health questionnaire. This is why applying early (while healthy) is crucial.
Is dental covered by Swiss health insurance?
Not by KVG basic insurance (except after accidents). Dental is only covered through VVG supplementary insurance. Swiss dental costs are very high — a simple check-up costs CHF 150-300, and treatments can run into thousands. Dental VVG is recommended for most people.
What is the deductible (Franchise) in Swiss health insurance?
The deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket each year before KVG starts covering costs. You can choose between CHF 300 (lowest, highest premium) and CHF 2,500 (highest, lowest premium). After reaching your deductible, you pay 10% co-insurance up to CHF 700/year.
Can I switch my KVG and VVG independently?
Yes. KVG can be switched annually by November 30. VVG has separate cancellation rules (typically 3 months' notice). You can switch one without affecting the other, and you can have them with different providers.
Robert Kolar
Insurance Expert
Expert contributor at Expat-Services.ch, providing verified insights and actionable guidance for the international community in Switzerland.