20/12/2022
The Heath insurance in Switzerland is mandatory for all persons living and / or working in Switzerland. The system that is in place now have been introduced in 1996 since then some minor changes have bee done. The coverage is defined by the state and applicable to all insured. The coverage is provided by private health insurers. They can do any anti-selection or demand a health questionnaire to the new insured. Also, any preexisting health state is covered and cannot be refused by the new insurer.
Nevertheless, there are some categories of the population that can get an exemption of subscribing the mandatory health insurance. One of them are foreign students arriving in Switzerland for their studies. In order to get the exemption, you have to be insured by a foreign insurer that provides equivalent coverage as the one indicated by the Swiss state. You have 3 months, from the date you arrive, to demand the exemption. Your demand has to be done to the cantonal institution in charge of the health insurance control. You’ll have to provide a confirmation from your foreign insurer stating he provides equivalent coverage as well as the form for your demand.
Here you’ll find a publication of the federal office for public health, where you’ll find many explanations about the mandatory health insurance. Unfortunately, the publication is available only in French, German, and Italian. Nevertheless, we can only recommend it’s reading if you want to understand how the Swiss system is working, it is one of the most unique systems in Europe.
