Insurance and Social Security
Take out health insurance
Basic health insurance is compulsory for everyone resident in Switzerland. You must take it out within three months of taking up residence; cover is then backdated to your first day. Anyone who misses the deadline is assigned to an insurer by the municipality or the canton and still owes premiums from the first day. Premiums differ considerably by insurer, canton of residence, deductible and model, whereas the benefits of basic insurance are defined by law and identical everywhere. Every person in the household needs their own policy, including every child.
Who this applies to. This guide applies if the cross-border commuter status is no.
Checklist
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Compare basic insurance offers
Premiums differ by insurer and canton of residence; the federal government runs an official premium comparison service.
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Choose your deductible and insurance model
A higher deductible lowers the premium and raises your out-of-pocket share; family doctor or telemedicine models give a discount.
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Submit the application within 3 months
The deadline runs from the day you take up residence; cover is backdated to that first day.
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Take out a policy for every person in the household
Children need their own basic insurance too; there is no single family policy.
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File the confirmation of policy
The municipality checks proof of insurance and assigns you to an insurer ex officio if you cannot provide it.
Costs
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Premium, adults CHF 465.30 · monthly · per adult
Median premium (Federal Office of Public Health, 2026); cantonal differences are considerable. The reduced rate for young adults aged 19 to 25 is not reflected, because the profile only records the age of the applicant.
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Premium, children CHF 122.50 · monthly · per child
Median premium (Federal Office of Public Health, 2026); cantonal differences are considerable. The reduced rate for young adults aged 19 to 25 is not reflected, because the profile only records the age of the applicant.
No total: the items depend on conditions and on your situation. A total without your answers would be too high or too low depending on the case — the cost calculation in your plan uses them.
Frequently asked questions
Who does this guide apply to?
This guide applies if the cross-border commuter status is no.
What does it cost?
Premium, adults: CHF 465.30 (monthly, per adult). Premium, children: CHF 122.50 (monthly, per child).
What do I need to do?
Compare basic insurance offers; Choose your deductible and insurance model; Submit the application within 3 months; Take out a policy for every person in the household; File the confirmation of policy.
As of: 08.10.2026