Swiss Insurance Explained

Which insurances are mandatory in Switzerland

Only two types of cover are legally required for residents of Switzerland, and both are tied to your situation rather than a single blanket rule.

Basic health insurance under the Federal Health Insurance Act (LAMal/KVG) is compulsory for everyone living in Switzerland, regardless of nationality, employment status or existing cover abroad. You must take out a policy within three months of establishing residence or registering with your commune; cover is then applied retroactively to your arrival date if you register within that window.

Accident insurance (LAA/UVG) is mandatory for employees working a minimum number of hours per week for a Swiss employer, and it is arranged automatically through payroll rather than something you purchase yourself. It typically covers occupational and non-occupational accidents; if you work fewer hours or are not employed, accident risk is usually folded into your health insurance policy instead.

• •Basic health insurance (LAMal/KVG) — mandatory for all residents
• •Accident insurance (LAA/UVG) — mandatory for qualifying employees, arranged via the employer
• •Old-age and survivors' insurance (AVS/AHV) — mandatory contributions for residents and employees, deducted from salary or billed to non-working residents

Choosing and understanding basic health insurance

Basic health insurance is sold by dozens of licensed insurers, but every one of them must offer the same statutory benefits at the same conditions for the mandatory policy: insurers cannot refuse an applicant or charge more for pre-existing conditions on this basic tier. What differs between insurers and cantons is the premium, which depends on your canton and commune of residence, your age group, and the model you choose.

Two choices affect your premium directly. The deductible (franchise) is the amount you pay out of pocket each year before the insurer contributes; a higher deductible lowers your monthly premium but increases what you pay if you need care. The insurance model — standard free choice of doctor, or a managed model such as a family-doctor or HMO network requiring a first point of contact — also changes the premium, with managed models usually costing less.

Residents on modest incomes may be eligible for a premium subsidy (subside/Prämienverbilligung) from their canton. Eligibility and amounts are set and administered at cantonal level, so you apply through your canton of residence rather than through a federal scheme.

Insurance that is optional but commonly expected

Several policies are not required by law but are so embedded in Swiss practice that landlords, employers or daily life effectively expect you to hold them.

Personal liability insurance (responsabilité civile privée/Privathaftpflichtversicherung) covers damage you accidentally cause to third parties or their property, including in a rented flat. Many landlords ask to see proof of liability cover before handing over keys, even though it is not a federal legal requirement.

Household contents insurance (assurance ménage/Hausratversicherung) covers your belongings against fire, water damage, theft and similar risks, and is frequently bundled with personal liability cover in a single policy. Legal protection insurance (protection juridique/Rechtsschutzversicherung) covers legal costs for disputes such as tenancy or employment conflicts, and is worth considering given how often Swiss tenancy matters end up before a conciliation authority.

• •Personal liability insurance — often required by landlords in practice
• •Household contents insurance — protects belongings, frequently bundled with liability cover
• •Legal protection insurance — covers legal fees for disputes such as tenancy or employment
• •Life and third-pillar insurance-based products — optional, tied to long-term financial and pension planning

Timing your insurance decisions after arrival

The practical sequence matters as much as knowing which policies exist. Health insurance should be arranged as soon as you have a residence registration, since the three-month window starts from your arrival or registration date, and comparing insurers takes time if you want a considered choice rather than a default enrolment.

Liability and household contents cover are typically arranged around the time you sign a lease, since landlords often ask for proof before or shortly after move-in. Employer-arranged accident insurance and AVS/AHV contributions begin automatically once your employment starts, so there is no separate application needed on your side for those.