For expats moving to or living in Switzerland

Expert Swiss Health Insurance Consultation

Independent, professional, and free advice tailored for expats moving to or living in Switzerland. We compare every insurer for your postcode and explain basic cover, supplementary cover, deductibles and models in plain English.

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FINMA-registeredIndependentFree, no obligationEnglish · Deutsch · Français

The numbers that matter

3 monthsto take out basic insurance after you arrive

CHF 300–2,500adult deductible (franchise), your choice

CHF 700maximum co-payment per year (10 %)

30 Novemberdeadline to cancel for a switch on 1 January

Managed care models

Reduce your premium with a primary care model

Standard: Without a specific primary care model.

Your situation

How can we help you today?

Tailored pathways designed for your specific journey in Switzerland.

New to Switzerland

New Expat Setup

Just arrived or planning your move? We handle everything from your mandatory KVG registration to choosing the right supplemental coverage for international living. Cover is compulsory for every resident, each family member needs a policy of their own, and your employer does not pay towards it. You have three months from registering with your municipality. The full first-weeks checklist is in our New in Switzerland guide.

Registration process walkthrough
Accident coverage optimization
Expat-friendly provider selection

Start Onboarding

Already living here

Plan Optimization & Change

Already in Switzerland but paying too much? We analyze your current policy, compare every insurer in your premium region and show you where you can save, without sacrificing quality. By law, basic-insurance benefits are the same at every insurer; only the premium differs.

Franchise model review
Supplemental gap analysis
Seamless switching service

Get Comparison

The basics

The "Policy Lens": Understanding the Basics

Swiss insurance is divided into two parts. Mandatory basic coverage (KVG) and optional supplemental coverage (VVG). For expats, the difference is crucial.

Compulsory for everyone

KVG (Mandatory)

Scope: Standardized benefits across all providers. Focused on essential care.
Pricing: A premium per person, set by insurer, age group, premium region, deductible and model. Not linked to income, no health check.
Expat Focus: Basic emergency care abroad. Often requires 3rd party add-ons.

Optional

VVG (Supplemental)

Scope: Customizable benefits. Choice of doctor, private rooms, and dental.
Pricing: Risk-based assessment. Health questionnaire required.
Expat Focus: Global coverage, English support hotlines, and travel insurance, depending on the policy.

Did you know? Many expats overpay for KVG by choosing the wrong franchise. Up to your deductible you pay every bill yourself, then 10 % of further costs up to CHF 700 a year. We help you calculate the sweet spot between premium and risk.

KVG vs VVG explained → Is supplementary cover worth it? → How to choose your deductible →

Switching season

Switching for 2027: compare before 30 November

Premiums rise by +5.0% on average in 2027 (FOPH). To change basic insurer on 1 January, your cancellation has to reach your current insurer by 30 November. Supplementary policies follow their own notice periods, often ending on 30 September.

Premiums 2027: all cantons and insurers → Premium calculator → How to switch, step by step →

Rather switch with advice?We compare every insurer for your postcode and check whether switching on 1 January pays off, free of charge.

Deadline reminder

Don't miss the 30 November deadline

The 2027 premiums are out. We remind you in good time before 30 November and tell you whether switching pays off for you.

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Robert Kolar Health insurance · 25 years · EN, DE, CZ FINMA F01067278

Nicole Bohne, pensions and relocation advisor

Nicole Bohne Pensions & relocation · 10 years · EN, DE, FR FINMA F01536402

Who advises you

The Architect of Expat Trust

Robert Kolar has spent 25 years bridging the gap between complex Swiss regulations and the needs of the international community. As a FINMA-registered advisor, his loyalty lies with the client, not the insurance conglomerate.

He works alongside Nicole Bohne, who brings 10 years in insurance and pensions (previously at Basler and Zurich) and specialises in pensions and insurance for people moving to Switzerland. You book the next free slot with either of them.

25Years Experience (Robert Kolar)

FINMAregistered, not tied to any insurer

45 minfree video call, no obligation

4 languagesEnglish, German, French, Czech

Learn more about Robert's approach →

Guide

Guide to Swiss Health Insurance 2026

1. The 3-Month Window

Every new resident in Switzerland has exactly three months to register for mandatory health insurance (KVG). While you are covered retroactively from your first day of residence, failing to register within the timeframe can lead to penalty surcharges and a limited choice of providers.

Insurance checklist for new arrivals →

2. Choosing the Right Franchise

The "Franchise" is your annual deductible. In Switzerland, these range from CHF 300 to CHF 2,500 for adults. A common mistake for healthy expats is choosing a middle-ground franchise. Usually, only the minimum or the maximum make financial sense depending on your expected medical usage.

Work out your deductible →

Which deductible suits you?We work out deductible and model with you and compare every insurer for your postcode, free and independent.

3. The Managed Care Models

You can reduce your premiums by choosing a specific primary care model:

HMO: You must always visit a specific health center first.
Family Doctor: You designate a specific GP as your first point of contact.
Telmed: You call a medical hotline before visiting a doctor.

HMO, Telmed and family doctor compared →

4. No Free Family Cover, and No Dental

Two things surprise many families. First, nobody is insured for free through a partner: every adult and every child has a policy and a premium of their own, and a spouse without income pays the full adult rate. Children's premiums are typically around CHF 100 to 130 a month. Second, basic insurance does not pay for dental treatment; for that you need a supplementary (VVG) policy. Budget for both from the start and your first Swiss year brings fewer surprises.

Insurer reviews

Swiss health insurers, reviewed

Official FOPH premiums, strengths and weaknesses, not sponsored by anyone. Basic cover is the same everywhere; service and supplementary cover are not.

Assura

Often among the cheapest premiums, with pay-first billing.

CSS

myCSS app, modular myFlex cover and 100+ agencies.

Helsana

Large insurance group, Helsana+ rewards, strong Telmed premiums.

Sanitas

Digital services, telemedicine and flexible supplementary cover.

SWICA

Top satisfaction scores and strong supplementary cover.

Best health insurers 2026 →

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the consultation really free?

Yes. We are compensated by the insurance providers for administrative work we save them. This does not increase your premium—in fact, we often find ways to lower it.

Do you work with all Swiss insurers?

We maintain partnerships with all major Swiss insurance companies, ensuring we can offer a truly independent market comparison tailored to your specific needs.

Can I get insurance before I have my permit?

Absolutely. We can start the application process with your residence registration (Meldebestätigung) or even your work contract in many cases.

What happens if I miss the 3-month deadline to register?

If you don't register within 3 months of arriving in Switzerland, you'll be assigned to an insurer by your canton and pay a surcharge for joining late; cover then only starts when you join. Sign up within the deadline and cover applies retroactively from your arrival, with free choice of insurer.

Can I keep my EU health insurance in Switzerland?

Only temporarily via the EHIC card. Switzerland requires all residents to have a Swiss KVG policy within 90 days. EU policies do not satisfy the legal mandate for permanent residents.

How do deductibles (Franchise) work in Switzerland?

You choose an annual deductible between CHF 300 and CHF 2,500 for adults. Higher deductibles mean lower monthly premiums but more out-of-pocket costs when you need care. We help you find the optimal balance based on your health profile.

Free consultation

Insurer, deductible, model: we work it out with you.

Robert Kolar (25 years in health insurance) and Nicole Bohne (10 years in pensions and relocation), independent and FINMA-registered. 45 minutes by video, free and without obligation.