Swiss health insurance for expats (KVG/LAMal) explained
How the compulsory system works, what it costs and which deadlines matter, with a primary source for every rule and figure.
In short
Everyone living in Switzerland must take out basic health insurance (KVG/LAMal) within three months; this expat-services.ch guide explains premiums, deductibles and models and links to insurance advisers in the directory. The benefits are set by federal law and identical at every insurer, so you compare premium, deductible and model. Supplementary insurance is optional, and insurers can turn you down.
The guide in under 5 minutes
Watch · 4:42 Swiss health insurance for expats explained (2027): 8 things to know
- 0:00 Swiss health insurance in 8 things
- 0:16 1. One law: KVG/LAMal
- 0:41 2. Who must insure, and by when
- 1:04 3. If you are late
- 1:27 4. What basic insurance covers
- 2:00 5. What it costs, and your share
- 2:31 6. Accident cover
- 2:58 7. The insurance models
- 3:25 8. The switching window
- 3:53 English-speaking insurance advisers
- 4:26 Search the directory
Read the transcript
0:00 Swiss health insurance in 8 things
How does Swiss health insurance work when you move here? This is expat-services.ch, the directory of English-speaking services for people new to Switzerland. Here are 8 things to know, in order.
0:16 1. One law: KVG/LAMal
One. Basic health insurance follows one federal law: the KVG, or LAMal in French. It is compulsory, and the benefits are the same at every insurer. Insurers must accept everyone, with no health questions and no waiting period. And each family member has their own policy.
0:41 2. Who must insure, and by when
Two. Anyone who takes up residence in Switzerland has 3 months to join a basic insurer. With an L, B or C permit, the 3 months start on the day you register with your commune. Join in time, and your cover is backdated to that day. Premiums are owed from that day too.
1:04 3. If you are late
Three. If you are late, cover starts only on the day you join, and bills from before that are yours. Without a valid excuse, you also pay a surcharge of 30 to 50 percent of the premium, for twice the length of the delay, up to 5 years. And the canton can assign you an insurer.
1:27 4. What basic insurance covers
Four. Basic insurance pays for treatment by approved doctors, prescribed medicines, maternity care and a hospital stay in the general ward. You may see any approved doctor suited to your condition, and a hospital on your canton’s list. It does not pay for routine dental care, or a private or semi-private room. Dental treatment is covered only in narrow cases, such as a severe disease of the chewing system.
2:00 5. What it costs, and your share
Five. What it costs. For 2027, the Federal Office of Public Health puts the average premium at CHF 412 a month, and CHF 487.60 for adults. On top, adults pay a yearly deductible of CHF 300 to 2,500, then 10 percent of further costs, up to CHF 700 a year, plus CHF 15 per day in hospital.
2:31 6. Accident cover
Six. Accident cover. If you work at least 8 hours a week for one employer, its accident insurance covers you off the job too. Show your health insurer proof, and it must suspend accident cover and cut your premium, by at most 7 percent. When the job ends, tell your insurer, so accident cover restarts.
2:58 7. The insurance models
Seven. The models. Besides the standard model, with free choice of doctor, insurers offer models with a set first point of contact: a family doctor or group practice, a telemedicine line or app, or a partner pharmacy. The premium can be lower, and the legal benefits stay the same. But you must follow the model’s rules.
3:25 8. The switching window
Eight. You can switch insurer once a year. In late September, next year’s premiums are published. By the end of October, your insurer tells you next year’s premium. Your written notice must reach it by 30 November, and the new policy starts on 1 January. The new insurer must accept you, and you can keep your supplementary policies where they are.
3:53 English-speaking insurance advisers
For help comparing basic and supplementary cover, the directory lists 10 English-speaking insurance advisors. Premium listings are paid and shown first. Among them are Expat Savvy and ThatDay in Zurich, two of our own brands, and insurance-guide.ch in Lyss, a preferred partner of expat-services.ch. Others, like HelveBroker in Geneva, are checked by our editors, but not yet confirmed by the business.
4:26 Search the directory
Search by service, city and language on expat-services.ch. It’s free for expats, and every listing is checked by hand.
What is KVG/LAMal, and how is Swiss health insurance organised?
KVG, or LAMal, is the Federal Health Insurance Act. It makes basic cover compulsory and sets one catalogue of benefits for everyone. Authorised insurers sell it, must accept every applicant and may not make a profit on it. You pay a monthly premium per person plus a share of your own medical bills.
Switzerland has no national health service. Every resident buys basic insurance from a federally authorised insurer, and each family member, children included, has their own policy (FOPH, checked ). KVG and LAMal are the same law under its German and French names (KVG, checked ).
Four things the law fixes
- Everyone is accepted, with no health questions, conditions or waiting period (FOPH, checked ).
- The same benefits everywhere for illness, maternity and accidents (FOPH, checked ).
- Premiums don’t depend on income or health, but on insurer, residence, age group, deductible and model (FOPH, checked ) (KVG, checked ).
- You share the costs through a yearly deductible, 10% of costs above it and a daily hospital contribution (KVG, checked ).
Doctors often bill you for the insurer to reimburse; hospitals and pharmacies usually bill it directly (FOPH, checked ). Anything beyond the legal catalogue belongs to supplementary insurance, a separate private contract (FOPH, checked ).
Expat Savvy, an independent insurance advisor with the same owners as expat-services.ch, explains the same two layers, basic and supplementary, with the premium range for basic cover in each canton: Swiss health insurance explained (opens in a new tab).
Basic and supplementary insurance compared
| Basic (KVG/LAMal) | Supplementary (VVG/LCA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory? | Yes, for every resident | No, optional |
| Can the insurer refuse you? | No health questions, no waiting period | Yes, after a health questionnaire |
| Benefits | Set by federal law, same at every insurer | Set by each contract |
| Premium depends on | Insurer, region, age group, deductible, model | The insurer’s terms and your health answers |
| Leaving | Yearly, notice by 30 November | Notice period in your contract |
You can hold basic and supplementary insurance with different insurers.
Who must take out Swiss health insurance, and by when?
Anyone who takes up residence in Switzerland, whatever their nationality or job, has three months to join a basic insurer. Join in time and cover is backdated to the start of your residence; join late and cover starts only on the day you join, usually with a premium surcharge.
When the three months start
The law counts three months from taking up residence or from birth (KVG, checked ). For foreign nationals with an L, B or C permit, the ordinance counts from registration with the commune, and timely cover starts on the registration date (KVV, checked ). Register first, then insure; see our first 90 days guide.
Insurance is compulsory if your permit is valid for three months or more. On a shorter L permit you must still insure if you are employed and have no equivalent cover valid in Switzerland (KVV, checked ) (FOPH, checked ).
What happens if you are late
- Cover starts only when you join; bills from before that are yours (KVG, checked ).
- Without a valid excuse you pay a surcharge of 30–50% of the premium for twice the length of the delay, up to five years (KVV, checked ).
- The canton checks compliance and assigns an insurer to anyone who stays uninsured (KVG, checked ) (FOPH, checked ).
Timely cover works both ways: bills from your start date are reimbursed, and premiums are owed from that date too (FOPH, checked ).
Diagram: The admin journey after you arrive. A winding path with five stops. Step 1: register at the commune, within 14 days and before you start work. Step 2: the canton issues your residence permit card after you register. Step 3: take out basic health insurance within 3 months; cover is backdated to your arrival. Step 4: open a bank account for your salary, rent and rental deposit. Step 5: tax at source is deducted from your salary. Then you are settled in.
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Deadline
3 months
to join a basic insurer; timely cover is backdated.
-
Permit holders
Registration day
is when the three months start and timely cover begins.
-
Late surcharge
30–50%
of the premium, for twice the delay, up to five years.
Your first three months
0 of 4 done
Your ticks are saved in this browser only.
What does basic health insurance cover, and what doesn’t it?
Basic insurance pays for diagnosing and treating illness by approved doctors and hospitals, prescribed medicines and tests, maternity care and, if no employer accident insurance covers you, accidents. It does not pay for routine dental care, a private or semi-private hospital room, or treatment outside the legal catalogue.
The catalogue is set by law, not by your insurer: treatment by doctors, chiropractors and nurses; prescribed analyses and medicines; rehabilitation; and a general-ward hospital stay (KVG, checked ).
Choosing doctors and hospitals
You may see any approved doctor suited to your condition and use any hospital on your canton’s list or the hospital’s canton’s list, though the insurer pays at most your own canton’s tariff (KVG, checked ). Need an English-speaking GP? See doctors and dentists.
Dental care
Dental treatment is covered only in narrow cases: a severe, unavoidable disease of the chewing system, treatment caused by or needed for a severe general illness, or accident damage when no accident insurer pays (KVG, checked ). Check-ups and orthodontics are otherwise on you or supplementary insurance.
Pregnancy: from the 13th week until eight weeks after the birth, no deductible or co-payment is charged on covered benefits (KVG, checked ).
Covered by basic insurance or not?
| Item | Basic insurance | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| GP and specialist treatment | Covered, within your model’s rules | KVG Art. 25, 41 |
| Hospital, general ward | Covered in listed hospitals | KVG Art. 25, 41 |
| Prescribed tests and medicines | Covered within the federal rules | KVG Art. 25 |
| Maternity | Covered; no cost-sharing from week 13 | KVG Art. 64 |
| Accidents | Only if no employer accident insurance | KVG Art. 8 |
| Routine dental care | Not covered | KVG Art. 31 |
| Private or semi-private room | Not covered | KVG Art. 25 |
How much does Swiss health insurance cost?
The FOPH puts the average monthly premium for 2027 at CHF 412 across all insured people and CHF 487.60 for adults, 5.0% and 4.9% more than in 2026. On top, you pay your deductible (CHF 300–2,500 for adults), then 10% of further costs up to CHF 700 a year, and CHF 15 per hospital day.
Premiums differ by insurer, premium region, age group (children, young adults aged 19 to 25, adults), deductible and model (KVG, checked ) (FOPH, checked ). Insurers must announce a new premium at least two months ahead (KVG, checked ). These are the official 2027 averages, published on 29 September 2026; insurers send your own premium by the end of October, and you can switch until the end of November (FOPH, checked ).
Your share of the bills
- Deductible (franchise): the first CHF 300 of bills each calendar year for adults, or a higher amount you choose, up to CHF 2,500. Children have no deductible by default; optional ones run from CHF 100 to CHF 600 (KVV, checked ) (KVG, checked ).
- Co-payment (retention fee): 10% of costs above the deductible, capped at CHF 700 a year for adults and CHF 350 for children (KVV, checked ).
- Hospital contribution: CHF 15 a day, except for children, young adults in education and during maternity (KVV, checked ).
Your worst case in a year is your deductible plus CHF 700: CHF 3,200 at the highest deductible (ch.ch, checked ). Check your own premium on the FOPH’s priminfo.admin.ch (opens in a new tab) (FOPH priminfo, checked ); weighing deductible against premium is covered in how to choose a Swiss health insurer.
-
Average premium 2027
CHF 412
a month across all insured people; CHF 487.60 for adults.
-
Co-payment cap
CHF 700
a year for adults after the deductible (CHF 350 for children).
-
Hospital
CHF 15
per day in hospital, with exemptions.
-
Worst case
CHF 3,200
a year at the CHF 2,500 deductible, on top of premiums.
Source ch.ch (opens in a new tab) ↗
Do you need accident cover in your health insurance?
Not if you work at least eight hours a week for one employer. Its compulsory accident insurance then covers you off the job too, so ask your health insurer to suspend accident cover and lower your premium. Keep it if you are self-employed, not working or work fewer hours.
Employees working at least eight hours a week for one employer are insured against non-occupational accidents through that employer (UVV Art. 13, checked ). Show your health insurer proof and it must suspend accident cover and cut your premium by the accident share, at most 7% (KVG, checked ) (KVV, checked ).
When the job ends, tell your health insurer so accident cover restarts; otherwise it can claim the missing premium with interest (KVG, checked ).
How do the insurance models work?
Besides the standard model with free choice of doctor, insurers offer models where you agree to contact a set first point of contact: a family doctor or group practice, a telemedicine line or app, or a partner pharmacy. In return the premium can be lower; the legal benefits stay the same.
The law lets you restrict your choice of providers in agreement with the insurer, which may then lower your premium; the legal benefits remain insured in every model (KVG, checked ) (FOPH, checked ). You must follow its rules, usually contacting the first point before a specialist; exceptions are in each insurer’s conditions.
Model names vary by insurer. From the 2027 premiums, the FOPH’s calculator sorts them into four categories (FOPH, checked ):
- PRAXIS: a designated practice, such as a GP or medical centre (the former family doctor and HMO categories).
- TEL_DIG: first contact by phone or digitally, for example a telemedicine centre or an app.
- PHARM: a partner pharmacy of the insurer.
- FLEX: a choice between several first points of contact.
Discounts must reflect real savings from the model; one without five years of cost data may be at most 20% cheaper than the standard premium (KVV, checked ). Which model suits whom: how to choose a Swiss health insurer.
When can you change insurer, deductible or model?
Once a year: your written notice must reach your insurer by 30 November to switch on 1 January. With the standard CHF 300 deductible and standard model you can also leave at the end of June, with three months’ notice. You can move into a restricted-choice model at any time.
- Higher deductible: only from the start of a calendar year (KVV, checked ) (FOPH, checked ).
- Lower deductible, another insurer or leaving a model: to the end of a calendar year, with the notice periods above (KVV, checked ).
- Into a family doctor, HMO or telmed model: at any time (KVV, checked ).
- Standard CHF 300 deductible and standard model: also to 30 June, with three months’ notice, so by 31 March (KVG, checked ) (ch.ch, checked ).
The new insurer must accept you for basic cover, and you can keep supplementary policies where they are (ch.ch, checked ) (KVG, checked ). If premiums or cost-sharing are overdue and in collection, you cannot switch until everything is paid (KVG, checked ). Step-by-step details: how to choose Swiss health insurance.
The yearly switching window
-
Late September
Premiums published
The FOPH publishes next year’s premiums.
-
By end of October
Your premium letter
Your insurer tells you next year’s premium.
-
30 November
Notice deadline
Your cancellation must have arrived.
-
1 January
New policy starts
New insurer, deductible or model applies.
What about cross-border commuters, students and posted workers?
Most cross-border commuters working in Switzerland must be insured here, but EU citizens living in Germany, Austria, France or Italy can opt for their home system. Students and employees posted under a social security agreement can ask the canton for an exemption if their cover is equivalent.
Cross-border commuters (G permit)
EU/EFTA and UK commuters are insured from the day their job starts and have three months to join a Swiss insurer. EU citizens living in Germany, Austria, France or Italy can instead apply to the canton where they work, within three months, to insure at home. Other commuters may opt in within three months of their G permit becoming valid (FOPH, checked ).
Students, posted workers and others
- Students and trainees can be exempted for up to three years, renewable once for three more, if they have equivalent cover for treatment in Switzerland (KVV, checked ).
- Posted workers exempt from Swiss AHV/AVS contributions under a social security agreement can be exempted if the employer guarantees KVG-level cover (KVV, checked ).
- EU/EFTA/UK students not working here can stay insured at home (FOPH, checked ).
- People whose cover would clearly worsen and who could not reasonably insure the difference because of age or health can also apply (KVV, checked ).
An exemption generally can’t be revoked later without a special reason (KVV, checked ). Without one, an international plan does not replace basic insurance. See also L, B and C permits explained.
Do you need supplementary insurance, and who can help you decide?
Supplementary insurance is optional. It can pay for things basic insurance leaves out, such as dental care, orthodontics for children or a better hospital ward. Insurers can ask health questions and refuse you, so secure new cover before cancelling anything. An insurance adviser can compare both layers for your household.
Supplementary policies are private contracts: the insurer may ask about your health, set conditions or reject you, and false answers can later cost you cover (ch.ch, checked ) (FOPH, checked ). Packages can duplicate travel cover you already have, for example through a credit card. Apply early for children’s dental cover, and remember an insurer need not take you back once you cancel (ch.ch, checked ).
This guide is general information, not individual advice. Insurance advisers in our directory can compare basic and supplementary cover for your situation, and how to choose a Swiss health insurer walks through each decision.
Insurance advisers
Premium and Featured listings are paid and shown first
insurance-guide.ch
Insurance brokers · Lyssinsurance-guide.ch is an independent, FINMA-registered insurance advisory from Lyss and Zurich for new arrivals and residents: health insurance, pillar 3a, life and home cover.
Vision Bohne
Insurance brokers · LyssVision Bohne is the independent insurance brokerage of Nicole Bohne in Lyss, reviewing and organising insurance contracts for private clients and companies.
ThatDay
Insurance brokers · ZürichThatDay is an independent insurance advisory from Zurich that helps people in Switzerland with health insurance, supplementary and hospital cover, pensions and income protection.
What else do expats ask about Swiss health insurance?
Is health insurance mandatory for expats in Switzerland?
Yes. Anyone who lives in Switzerland must have basic health insurance, whatever their nationality, and each family member needs their own policy. Only specific groups, such as some students, posted workers and cross-border commuters, can ask the canton for an exemption.
Can I keep my international health insurance instead?
Generally not. It replaces Swiss basic insurance only if your canton grants an exemption, for example for students or posted workers. Otherwise it can only sit on top as extra cover.
What happens if I take out health insurance late?
Cover starts only when you join, so earlier bills are yours. Without a valid excuse you also pay a 30–50% premium surcharge for twice the length of the delay, up to five years, and the canton can assign you an insurer.
Does Swiss basic health insurance cover the dentist?
Only in narrow cases: severe, unavoidable diseases of the chewing system, treatment linked to a severe general illness, or accident damage when no accident insurer pays. Check-ups and orthodontics need supplementary dental insurance or your own money.
How much does health insurance cost per month in Switzerland?
It depends on insurer, canton, age, deductible and model. The FOPH’s 2027 average is CHF 412 a month across all insured people and CHF 487.60 for adults; priminfo.admin.ch shows yours.
Can an insurer refuse me because of a pre-existing condition?
Not for basic insurance: insurers must accept everyone, without health questions or waiting periods. For supplementary insurance they can set conditions or refuse you.
Do my children need their own health insurance?
Yes. Every family member is insured individually, and a child can even be with a different insurer. Children pay lower premiums, have no deductible by default and a co-payment cap of CHF 350 a year.
Sources
Last checked by the expat-services.ch editorial team
- Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH/BAG) Health insurance: requirement to obtain insurance for persons resident in Switzerland (deadline, backdating, surcharge, acceptance, exemptions) (opens in a new tab)
- Fedlex, SR 832.10 Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG/LAMal), Art. 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 25, 31, 41, 61, 64, 64a and 65 (in German) (opens in a new tab)
- Fedlex, SR 832.102 Health Insurance Ordinance (KVV/OAMal), Art. 1, 2, 7, 8, 91a, 93, 94, 100, 101, 103 and 104 (in German) (opens in a new tab)
- Fedlex, SR 832.202 Accident Insurance Ordinance (UVV), Art. 13: non-occupational cover from 8 hours a week (in German) (opens in a new tab)
- Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH/BAG) Health insurance: optional deductibles (opens in a new tab)
- Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH/BAG) Health insurance: insurance models with a restricted choice of service providers (new 2027 categories) (opens in a new tab)
- Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH/BAG) Health insurance: key points in brief (opens in a new tab)
- Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH/BAG) Health insurance: cross-border commuters working in Switzerland (opens in a new tab)
- ch.ch Cancelling and changing health insurer in Switzerland (30 November, end of June, supplementary insurance) (opens in a new tab)
- ch.ch Health insurance costs and premium reductions (opens in a new tab)
- Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH/BAG) Official premium comparison for basic health insurance (opens in a new tab)