Understand compulsory health insurance, deductible options, premiums and important enrolment requirements in Switzerland.
Getting started
Learn how basic insurance works, what affects premiums and how deductible and insurance-model choices influence your costs.
Basic health insurance (LAMal/KVG) is compulsory for every Swiss resident and must be arranged within three months of arrival, cover is then backdated to your arrival date. Two choices drive most of your annual cost: the deductible (franchise) you select, and the insurance model (standard free choice of doctor versus a cheaper family-doctor or telmed model that requires a referral before seeing a specialist). Premiums vary by canton, age group, and insurer, not by income or health status for basic insurance, so comparing insurers every year is one of the highest-value things a resident can do. See our cheapest health insurance for newcomers guide for how to actually compare offers.
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Reviews and comparisons
Compare published premiums, insurance models, service options and conditions before selecting an insurer.