Foreign students, interns, and au pairs can avoid paying for costly Swiss mandatory health insurance by using an equivalent insurance. Learn about coverio’s low-cost health insurance cover for students in this guide.
Foreign students and interns, as well as au pairs and their host families, can save hundreds of francs per month by using coverio instead of standard mandatory Swiss health insurance. Find out how coverio works, and how it can help you.
Who is coverio health insurance for?
Health insurance from coverio is specifically for foreigners who will be living in Switzerland on a temporary student, intern, or au pair visa.
Do I still need mandatory Swiss health insurance?
No. As a foreigner staying in Switzerland temporarily – on a student permit, for example – you can get an exemption from the mandatory Swiss social health insurance by showing that you have equivalent health insurance.
The health insurance from coverio is specifically designed to meet all the requirements. Once you are insured by coverio, you can apply for an exemption from Swiss mandatory health insurance because the cover is identical. Each of Switzerland’s cantons has its own process for getting exemptions. You can find out how to apply for an exemption in the canton you will be staying in on the coverio website.
Important: If you do not get an affordable private health insurance like coverio yourself and apply for an exemption, you will automatically be enrolled in an often more expensive regular Swiss mandatory health insurance by the Swiss health authorities.
Sign up for coverio online
Are you moving or have you recently moved to Switzerland for studies or an internship, or will you be hosting an au pair? Just click here to go to the secure coverio website and apply for low-cost health insurance online.
How much could I save?
The exact amount you can save by using coverio instead of regular Swiss mandatory health insurance varies depending on your age, where in Switzerland you will be staying, and which deductible model you use.
As the comparison shows, using coverio instead of regular Swiss health insurance would save you hundreds of francs per month, and thousands of francs per year. Depending on the deductible model, you would save from 3345.60 to 4155.60 francs per year in Geneva, between 2955 and 3767.40 francs per year in Lausanne, and from 2458.80 to 3271.20 francs per year in Zurich.
Which healthcare costs are insured by coverio?
Health insurance from coverio covers all of the same costs as mandatory Swiss health insurance. This includes unlimited cover for all necessary healthcare in Switzerland, including hospital stay in general wards, prescribed medicines, recommended vaccinations, and some outpatient therapies. Maternity care in Switzerland is also covered, as are medical emergencies during temporary trips outside of Switzerland. Both accidents and illnesses are covered.
Like standard mandatory Swiss health insurance, coverio has an annual deductible and a coinsurance payment. You can choose between three deductible models. The bigger the amount you are willing to pay out of your own pocket, the less you pay for the insurance. In addition to the deductible, you pay 10 percent of each bill yourself, up to a cap of 700 francs per year for all bills combined.
Can I apply for coverio insurance before coming to Switzerland?
Yes. You can simply enter the date on which you will arrive in Switzerland in the online application. This is beneficial because depending on where you are from, having proof of insurance before coming to Switzerland may be necessary to get your visa. Alternatively, you can also sign up within 90 days of arriving in Switzerland.
We will be hosting an au pair. Can we use coverio?
Yes. Au pairs are required to have health insurance that is equivalent to Swiss mandatory health insurance. As a host family, you are required to cover at least half of the cost of health insurance for the au pairs you host.
Using coverio health insurance for au pairs can save you a lot of money compared to getting regular mandatory health insurance. You can apply for coverio health insurance for au pairs here.
Get more information and apply online now
You can find detailed information about coverio health insurance, calculate your insurance premiums, and apply online directly on the coverio website.
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