The short answer
Choosing health insurance in Switzerland means picking a KVG basic insurer that offers the coverage everyone must have by law, and — if useful for your family — adding VVG supplementary policies on top. All basic insurers cover exactly the same medical services at legally fixed rates, so the real differences are premium, franchise, insurance model (standard, family doctor, HMO, telmed) and service quality. Compare official offers via priminfo.admin.ch, decide on your franchise and model, then apply before the annual 30 November deadline for a 1 January switch.
Key takeaways
- Basic insurance (KVG) is mandatory within three months of arrival or birth.
- All basic insurers cover the same medical catalogue — only price and service differ.
- Choose a franchise (CHF 300–2,500 for adults; 0–600 for children) that matches your expected care.
- Alternative insurance models (family doctor, HMO, telmed) reduce premiums by 5–15%.
- Supplementary (VVG) insurance is optional, medically underwritten, and best considered while you are healthy.
- Deadline to switch basic insurance: written notice received by 30 November, effective 1 January.
Step 1 — Understand what basic insurance covers
Basic health insurance under the Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG) is defined by law. Every insurer must accept every applicant for basic cover, cannot ask health questions, and must reimburse the same medically necessary treatment: GP and specialist care, hospital in the general ward of your canton, prescription medicines on the official list, most preventive care and maternity care.
Because the benefits are identical across insurers, comparing basic insurance is a question of cost and service, not coverage.
Step 2 — Choose your franchise
The franchise (Swiss deductible) is the amount you pay yourself each calendar year before the insurer contributes. A higher franchise lowers your monthly premium but raises your maximum out-of-pocket exposure.
Franchise options and typical logic
| Situation | Suggested franchise |
|---|---|
| You expect regular care (chronic condition, planned surgery, pregnancy) | CHF 300 (adults) · CHF 0 (children) |
| You are generally healthy and rarely see a doctor | CHF 2,500 (adults) · CHF 600 (children) |
| Uncertain — new arrival, unsure how you will use care | CHF 300–500 in year one, then re-evaluate |
Read our detailed franchise guide for the exact break-even maths.
Step 3 — Choose an insurance model
Insurers offer alternative models that require you to consult a first point of contact before specialists. In exchange, premiums drop.
| Model | How it works | Typical premium discount |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Free choice of doctor and specialist | 0% |
| Family doctor (Hausarzt) | Named GP is your first contact | ~10–15% |
| HMO | Health centre is your first contact | ~15% |
| Telmed | Call a medical hotline before treatment | ~10–12% |
Emergencies, gynaecology, ophthalmology and paediatric check-ups are usually exempt from the gatekeeper rule — check the specific model documentation.
Step 4 — Compare official premiums
Use priminfo.admin.ch, the Federal Office of Public Health’s neutral comparison tool. It shows every approved insurer, franchise level and model for your canton and postcode. Avoid commercial comparison sites that display only paying partners.
Step 5 — Decide on supplementary insurance (VVG)
Supplementary cover is optional and governed by contract law, not by the KVG. Common additions include:
- Hospital cover: semi-private or private ward, choice of doctor.
- Outpatient extras: alternative medicine, fitness contributions, glasses, dental prevention.
- Dental: separate policy, medically underwritten, useful for children.
- Travel and worldwide cover: for frequent travellers or long stays abroad.
Supplementary insurers can reject applications or add exclusions based on your health. Apply while you and your children are healthy, ideally in the first years of life or during initial arrival.
Step 6 — Apply on time
Deadlines that matter
- New residents: three months from the date of registration to enrol in KVG. Cover is backdated to arrival.
- Newborns: three months from birth. Registering during pregnancy secures supplementary cover without health questions.
- Annual switch of basic insurer: written cancellation must reach your current insurer by 30 November.
- Cancelling supplementary insurance: usually requires three months’ notice before the contract anniversary — check your policy.
Common mistakes
- Choosing the cheapest premium without checking service quality or the model’s gatekeeper rules.
- Picking a high franchise without an emergency fund to cover it.
- Waiting to arrange supplementary insurance until after a diagnosis, when insurers will decline or exclude.
- Missing the 30 November switching deadline and being locked in for another year.
- Bundling basic and supplementary with the same insurer without checking whether that is genuinely the best combination.
What this means for your family
For most families, the strongest structure is: a well-chosen basic insurer on a family doctor or HMO model, a franchise that matches expected usage, and a small number of well-targeted supplementary policies (hospital, outpatient, dental for children). Review it every autumn before 30 November — premiums change each year and the cheapest insurer three years ago is rarely the cheapest today.
Before you decide — a short checklist
- I know my canton, postcode and household composition.
- I have chosen a franchise that fits our expected care and reserves.
- I have compared at least three insurers on priminfo.admin.ch.
- I understand the model’s gatekeeper rules.
- I have considered supplementary cover while everyone is healthy.
- I know the exact deadline for cancellation and application.
Frequently asked questions
Can an insurer refuse me for basic insurance?
No. Every Swiss insurer must accept every applicant for KVG basic insurance, regardless of age or health.
Can each family member have a different insurer?
Yes. Basic and supplementary policies can be arranged individually, and it is often financially sensible to do so.
Do I need supplementary insurance?
No. It is optional. It becomes valuable when you want hospital comfort, worldwide cover, or benefits like dental and alternative medicine.
What happens if I miss the enrolment deadline?
The cantonal authority can assign you to an insurer automatically, and you will owe premiums back-dated to your arrival.
Next step
If you would like a neutral second opinion before your next 30 November deadline, our free consultation reviews your current cover, benchmarks it against the market and outlines the changes that would genuinely benefit your family.
Official Swiss sources
- Federal Office of Public Health — bag.admin.ch
- Official premium comparison — priminfo.admin.ch
- ch.ch — Health insurance information for residents — ch.ch/en/health-insurance
- Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG) — fedlex.admin.ch
This article provides general information only and does not replace personalised insurance, legal, financial, tax or medical advice.