Insurance Checklist for New Arrivals in Switzerland

The 90-Day Rule: Why Timing Matters

When you move to Switzerland, you have exactly 90 days from the date of your residence registration to enrol in mandatory health insurance (Grundversicherung). Miss this deadline and two things happen: your Gemeinde (municipality) assigns you to an insurer — often one of the most expensive — and you may face a penalty surcharge of up to 50% on your premiums for the period you were uninsured. The coverage is backdated to your arrival date regardless, meaning you pay retroactively.

This 90-day window is strict and non-negotiable. It applies to everyone: EU/EFTA nationals, third-country permit holders, and Swiss citizens returning from abroad. Children born in Switzerland must be insured from birth.

Beyond health insurance, several other policies should be on your radar within the first three months. Some are legally required, others are strongly recommended, and a few are optional but worthwhile depending on your situation.

Mandatory vs Recommended vs Optional Insurance

Switzerland has surprisingly few mandatory insurances for individuals, but the ones that exist carry serious consequences if you ignore them. Here is the full breakdown:

Your Week-by-Week Insurance Timeline

Week 1: Health Insurance

This is your single most important task. Basic health insurance is identical across all insurers in terms of what it covers — the KVG (Health Insurance Act) mandates the same benefit catalogue everywhere. The differences are in premiums, insurance models, and customer service.

Key decisions to make:

• Franchise (deductible): Choose between CHF 300 (lowest, highest premium) and CHF 2’500 (highest, lowest premium). If you are healthy and rarely see a doctor, the CHF 2’500 franchise saves CHF 1’000 to CHF 1’500 per year in premiums. If you expect regular medical visits, CHF 300 or CHF 500 is safer.
• Insurance model: Standard (free doctor choice), Hausarzt (family doctor), Telmed (phone triage first), or HMO (group practice). Alternative models save 10–25% on premiums.
• With or without accident coverage: If you work at least 8 hours per week for one employer, your employer covers accident insurance (UVG). In that case, exclude accident coverage from your health insurance to save CHF 30 to CHF 60 per month.

Compare premiums on the BAG’s official Priminfo.ch calculator or use comparison platforms like Comparis. Apply directly with the insurer — there is no advantage to using a broker for basic insurance.

Weeks 2–4: Household and Liability Insurance

Personal liability insurance (Privathaftpflichtversicherung) covers damage you accidentally cause to others — from a cycling collision to flooding a neighbour’s apartment. It costs CHF 60 to CHF 200 per year and protects you against claims that could reach hundreds of thousands of francs. In a country where a skiing accident causing permanent injury to another person can generate a CHF 500’000+ claim, this is non-negotiable.

Household insurance (Hausratversicherung) covers your belongings against fire, water damage, theft, and natural hazards. It is legally mandatory in Vaud, Fribourg, Nidwalden, and Jura, and strongly recommended everywhere else. Many landlords require it in the lease agreement.

Bundle both policies with the same insurer to save 15–25%. Major providers include Mobiliar, AXA, Zurich, Helvetia, and Baloise. A combined policy for a single person typically costs CHF 150 to CHF 300 per year.

Month 2: Third Pillar and Supplementary Insurance

Pillar 3a (private pension): Once you start working, open a Pillar 3a account. Contributions are tax-deductible — up to CHF 7’258 per year in 2026 for employed persons with a pension fund. Depending on your marginal tax rate and canton, this can save you CHF 1’500 to CHF 2’500 in taxes annually. You can choose between a bank account (safe, low return) or a fund-based solution (higher potential return, more risk).

Supplementary health insurance: If you did not apply in Week 1, do it now. Key products to consider:

• Ambulatory supplementary (COMPLETA, TOP, etc.): Covers complementary medicine, glasses, fitness contributions, and preventive check-ups. CHF 30 to CHF 65 per month.
• Hospital supplementary (semi-private or private): Free choice of hospital and doctor, single or double rooms. CHF 50 to CHF 200 per month depending on your age.
• Dental insurance: Basic insurance does not cover dental. Separate dental plans cost CHF 20 to CHF 40 per month. Note: many dental insurers impose waiting periods of 12 to 24 months before paying out.

Month 3: Review and Optional Additions

By now you should have the essentials in place. Use this time to evaluate optional coverage:

• Legal protection insurance (Rechtsschutzversicherung): Covers legal fees for disputes with landlords, employers, or in traffic matters. CHF 200 to CHF 500 per year. Useful but not essential for everyone.
• Travel insurance: If you travel frequently outside Switzerland, a standalone travel policy covers medical emergencies abroad, trip cancellation, and baggage loss. CHF 60 to CHF 240 per year.
• Disability insurance (Erwerbsunfähigkeitsversicherung): Your employer and the state provide some disability coverage, but the gap between your current salary and what you would receive can be significant. A private disability policy fills that gap.

Estimated Monthly Insurance Costs

Here is what a typical new arrival can expect to pay in total, based on a single adult living in Zurich with a CHF 1’500 franchise:

These figures vary significantly by canton. Geneva and Basel are roughly 20–30% more expensive for health insurance, while Appenzell Innerrhoden and Uri are among the cheapest. Your age, franchise choice, and insurance model also affect the total.

Common Mistakes New Arrivals Make

Waiting too long for health insurance

The most expensive mistake. If you miss the 90-day deadline, your municipality assigns you to an insurer — typically at the standard model with a CHF 300 franchise, which is the most expensive combination. You may also face a retroactive premium surcharge. Some newcomers assume their travel insurance or home-country policy is sufficient. It is not — Swiss law requires enrolment in a Swiss-approved health insurer.

Skipping personal liability insurance

At CHF 5 to CHF 15 per month, liability insurance is absurdly cheap for the protection it provides. New arrivals often deprioritise it because it is not mandatory. Then they accidentally flood the apartment below or cause a cycling accident and face a CHF 30’000 bill with no coverage. Set it up on the day you move in.

Choosing the wrong franchise

Many expats default to the CHF 300 franchise because they are unfamiliar with the system and want maximum coverage. For a healthy adult who visits the doctor once or twice a year, the CHF 2’500 franchise is almost always cheaper over the course of a year — even if you end up paying the full deductible. Do the maths for your situation using our franchise guide.

Delaying supplementary insurance

Unlike basic insurance, supplementary insurers can reject you based on health. Applying when you first arrive — presumably healthy — gives you the best chance of acceptance with no exclusions. Wait two years, develop a back problem, and you may find yourself locked out of hospital supplementary or complementary medicine coverage permanently.

Not excluding accident coverage

If your employer covers accident insurance (UVG) — which is the case if you work 8+ hours per week — you are paying double if you also include accident coverage in your health insurance. Excluding it saves CHF 30 to CHF 60 per month. Tell your health insurer as soon as your employment contract starts.

About the Author

Insurance Guide

Our editorial team has over 15 years of experience in the Swiss insurance market and has helped over 2,500 clients navigate the federal KVG system.

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