Swiss health insurance for foreign students

Do foreign students need to get health insurance in Switzerland? What are the rules about this?

Greetings,

Having health insurance is compulsory for anyone who resides in Switzerland.

Foreign students who stay in Switzerland for more than 3 months are also required to get health insurance. You are free to choose a basic health insurance policy from any Swiss health insurance company.

If you do not take out a policy by the end of the 3 month grace period, you will be designated a policy by relevant authorities - and this may not be the cheapest available. For this reason it is worth taking the time to choose a health insurance policy yourself. You can use the interactive health insurance comparison on moneyland.ch to find the best deal on compulsory Swiss health insurance.

Students who alread have health insurance obtained in their home country can receive an exemption if their insurance provides the same level of coverage as basic Swiss health insurance. This primarily applies to students from some European countries and a number of other countries - but not all.

In the case of students from non-EU countries, the relevant cantonal authorities will decide whether or not an insurance policy meets the necessary criteria. If insurance is inadequate, you will have to get compulsory Swiss health insurance as well.

Foreign professors, researchers and other tertiary school staff are required to take out compulsory Swiss health insurance.

Best regards from Moneyguru

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