Illness and Accidents

All Swiss residents are obligated to individually obtain health insurance (basic insurance, Grundversicherung). Persons moving to Switzerland must do so within three months. Costs of illnesses that arise before this three month period will be retroactively covered. Basic insurance is offered by numerous private health insurances (Krankenkassen) and may be chosen freely. Health insurances must accept all Swiss residents. Those insured pay a monthly premium. Premiums vary according to insurance company and insurance model. Comparing offers is recommended. Changing insurance companies is possible only once a year (November). Basic insurance covers the costs of illness as well as pregnancy and childbirth. Benefits are legally bound. Attention: costs for dental care or glasses are generally not covered.

Employees who work over 8 hours a week are automatically insured against accidents at work and in their free-time through their employers. Persons who work fewer hours are not insured for accidents that happen in their free-time and must obtain their own accident insurance. This also applies for self-employed and unemployed persons. Unemployed persons must obtain accident insurance through their health insurance company. Those who are self-employed can obtain accident insurance from other insurance companies. Insured persons must pay a monthly premium. Employees' premiums are deducted directly from their monthly wages.

Persons who cannot afford to pay health insurance premiums may be entitled to a premium reduction (Prämienverbilligung) for basic insurance. An application for a premium reduction must be submitted to the cantonal tax administration by 31 January. If the request is granted, one pays a lower premium the following year. Special rules apply to persons who have moved to the canton at a later date. The cantonal tax administration provides information on premium reductions and receives applications.

In addition to compulsory basic insurance one can take out various supplementary insurances (Zusatzversicherungen). These offer benefits that basic insurance does not, such as dental care. Most insurance companies offer supplementary insurance. They are not obliged to offer suplementary insurance to all persons, in contrast to basic insurance, and can impose conditions.