Moving to Switzerland with Children
Switzerland is one of the best countries in the world to raise a family — safe, well-organised and centred on quality of life. But relocating with children also means navigating a healthcare system, school system and administrative process that work very differently from most other countries.
This guide brings together everything expat families need to know about insurance, registration and family life in the first months after moving to Switzerland.
Quick Summary
Every family member — including babies and school-age children — must have Swiss basic health insurance (KVG) within three months of arrival. Insurance is chosen individually, premiums for children are much lower than for adults, and supplementary cover can add valuable benefits such as private hospital rooms, dental care and worldwide travel protection.
Key Takeaways
- Health insurance is mandatory from the day you register your residence.
- You have three months to enrol every family member — cover is backdated to arrival.
- Children have their own policies, but often at the same insurer as the parents.
- Family allowances (Kinderzulagen) apply from your first month of employment.
- Schools are excellent and largely free, but bilingual and international options require early planning.
The First Three Months: What to Do
1. Register your residence
Within 14 days of arrival, register with the residents' office (Einwohneramt / Contrôle des habitants) of your commune. You will need passports, employment contract, rental agreement and family documents. Children are usually registered on the same form as the parents.
2. Arrange health insurance
Every family member needs individual Swiss basic insurance within 3 months of arrival. Cover is retroactive to the registration date, so there is no gap — but delaying often means unpaid premiums stack up before you have chosen a provider.
3. Set up family allowances
If either parent is employed in Switzerland, family allowances of roughly CHF 200–300 per child per month are paid through your employer. Application forms come from the cantonal compensation office (Ausgleichskasse).
4. Enrol children in school or daycare
Public school starts around age 4 and is free, taught in the local language. International and bilingual schools require early registration and have fees between CHF 20,000 and CHF 40,000 per year.
Health Insurance for Children
Basic insurance (KVG)
Children pay a reduced premium — typically CHF 100–160 per month depending on canton and insurer. The medical benefits are identical to adult basic insurance and cover paediatrician visits, hospital care, vaccinations and prescriptions.
Deductibles for children
The standard deductible for children is CHF 0. You can voluntarily choose up to CHF 600 in exchange for a lower premium, but this is rarely worth it for young children who use healthcare frequently.
Supplementary insurance
Supplementary modules that many expat families choose for children include:
- Dental and orthodontics — braces are common between age 10 and 14 and are not covered by basic insurance.
- Private / semi-private hospital cover — free choice of paediatric specialist and single or double rooms.
- Worldwide travel cover — essential for families who travel back home or on holiday.
- Alternative medicine — osteopathy, homeopathy and physiotherapy beyond the KVG catalogue.
Because children are usually accepted subject to policy conditions in the first months of life, arranging supplementary cover early avoids exclusions later.
Costs at a Glance
| Item | Typical monthly cost (per child) |
|---|---|
| Basic health insurance (KVG) | CHF 100–160 |
| Supplementary dental | CHF 15–40 |
| Semi-private hospital cover | CHF 30–80 |
| Worldwide travel cover | CHF 5–15 |
| Family allowance (received) | CHF 200–300 |
Permits, Schools and Daily Life
Residence permits for children
Children usually receive the same permit type as the working parent (B, C or L). Bring birth certificates translated into German, French or Italian where required.
School language
Public schools teach in the local language of the canton. Younger children typically adapt within one school year. Older children often benefit from bilingual private schools during the transition.
Childcare
Daycare (Kita) is high quality but expensive — CHF 100–160 per day is typical. Many cantons subsidise part of the cost based on family income.
Checklist: Your First 90 Days
- Register the family at the commune
- Apply for residence permits
- Choose and enrol in basic health insurance for every family member
- Register children at school or daycare
- Apply for family allowances via your employer
- Review supplementary insurance for adults and children
- Open a Swiss bank account
- Set up a family doctor and paediatrician
Frequently Asked Questions
Do children need their own insurance policy?
Yes. In Switzerland every person — including newborns — has an individual health insurance contract.
What happens if we miss the 3-month deadline?
Insurance is still backdated to your registration date, meaning you will owe premiums from that date. In some cantons late enrolment can also lead to a surcharge.
Can we all use the same insurer?
Yes, and most families do because it simplifies administration and often unlocks family discounts on supplementary insurance.
Are international schools worth it?
It depends on how long you plan to stay and the age of your children. Younger children often integrate quickly into public school; older children sometimes benefit from continuity in an international curriculum.
How much does raising a child in Switzerland cost?
Federal statistics estimate CHF 1,100–1,500 per month per child, excluding private schooling.
Your next step
Moving to Switzerland with children is a major step but a very rewarding one. Getting insurance, schooling and family administration right in the first three months prevents most of the friction expats experience later.
If you would like personalised, English-language guidance on choosing the right basic and supplementary insurance for your family, our advisors offer a free consultation.
Related resources
- How Swiss Health Insurance Works
- Basic vs Supplementary Insurance in Switzerland
- The Most Common Swiss Insurance Mistakes
Official Swiss sources
- Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) — Compulsory Health Insurance — https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home/versicherungen/krankenversicherung.html
- ch.ch — Health insurance in Switzerland — https://www.ch.ch/en/health-insurance/
- Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) — Supervision of supplementary health insurance — https://www.finma.ch/en/
- Fedlex — Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG) — https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1995/1328_1328_1328/en
About this article
Author: Swiss Family Insurance Editorial Team
Last reviewed: July 2026
Reading time: 6 minutes
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about Swiss insurance and does not replace personalised insurance, legal, financial, tax or medical advice.