Relocating to Switzerland is the ideal moment to set up your insurance properly from the start. Some cover is mandatory, others are strongly recommended, and several useful add-ons depend on your lifestyle, housing situation and mobility. Insurance premiums can vary significantly by canton and city, and many insurances can only be arranged once you have a Swiss address.
Many newcomers rely on employers or relocation companies to organise insurance. While convenient, this often results in standardised and expensive packages that are not tailored to personal needs. This guide is designed for expats and people moving from abroad. It explains what to plan before arrival, what to arrange after registering your address, which insurances are essential versus optional, and how to avoid coverage gaps and unnecessary costs. It also sets the foundation for an Arrival Service, where an independent advisor reviews all relevant insurance topics together with you.
Before arrival, you should research the Swiss insurance system, understand mandatory versus optional cover, and compare expected costs by city. This preparation is important because premiums differ significantly depending on where you live.
After arrival and once you have a Swiss address, you can register with the commune, take out basic health insurance, and arrange household and liability cover. Independent advisors or brokers can support you at this stage, but good preparation before moving directly affects both cost and coverage quality.
Anyone who becomes resident in Switzerland must take out basic health insurance within three months of registering their address. Benefits are defined by law and identical across insurers. Differences relate to premiums, deductibles, insurance models and service levels.
Adults can usually choose deductibles between CHF 300 and CHF 2’500. After the deductible, a co-payment of 10% normally applies up to an annual cap. Swiss basic insurance covers treatment in Switzerland and limited emergency treatment abroad. Costs for repatriation, search and rescue or extensive treatment abroad are often only partially covered.
The standard model offers free choice of doctors but has the highest premiums. Family doctor, HMO and telemedicine models offer reduced premiums in exchange for coordinated care or a defined first point of contact. Choosing a higher deductible lowers monthly premiums but increases out-of-pocket risk. These options are particularly suitable for healthy individuals with predictable healthcare needs.
Travel insurance complements basic health insurance, especially for expats. It can cover emergency treatment abroad, search and rescue, medical repatriation, trip cancellation, flight delays and lost luggage. Credit card insurance often provides limited and conditional cover, usually only if the trip was paid with the card. Coverage scope (Switzerland, Europe or worldwide) is a key factor. Many newcomers benefit from standalone travel insurance, particularly in their first year.
Example profile:
32-year-old male, highest health deductible (CHF 2’500), CHF 20’000 car, CHF 2’500 monthly rent, 65 m² apartment.
Figures are indicative and vary by insurer, coverage and personal profile.
Many newcomers start with a room or temporary apartment. Household and liability insurance can be adapted to shared or furnished accommodation. If you are still searching for a room, platforms such as wgzimmer.ch can be useful for finding shared housing in Switzerland.
Before arrival:
Research insurance basics and city-level costs, review employer or relocation offers.
Upon arrival:
Register with the commune and start health insurance setup.
Within three months:
Finalise health insurance, arrange liability and household cover, review travel insurance needs.
Digital brokers and arrival services help newcomers understand what insurance is required, compare insurers objectively, and coordinate health, household, liability and travel insurance in one setup. Independent advisors help ensure coverage fits your real needs and budget.
A new expat chooses a telemedicine health model with a high deductible and adds worldwide travel insurance for the first year.
A young professional couple sets up health, household, liability and legal insurance together after moving into their first apartment.
A remote worker prioritises flexible health models and comprehensive international travel cover.
An expat moving from abroad registers with the commune on arrival and compares health insurance models instead of accepting the employer’s default plan. By choosing a telemedicine model with a high deductible and adding personal liability, household and travel insurance, they reduce annual costs while maintaining appropriate coverage for daily life and travel.
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