International Health Insurance for Expats

It is important to avoid large gaps in health insurance coverage when you leave Switzerland. With very few exceptions, it is not possible to keep your Swiss mandatory health insurance after you move to another country. Depending on which country you live in, getting good health insurance locally can be difficult or impossible.

If you live in a foreign country and want to get Swiss health insurance, but are not entitled to Swiss mandatory health insurance, then international health insurance from Swiss insurance providers offers an alternative.

What are the advantages of international health insurance from Swiss insurance providers?

Do you live in a country where health insurance is not available, not reliable, or too expensive? Then getting international health insurance from a Swiss insurance provider could be a solution.

Possible advantages of Swiss international health insurance offers:

• If you frequently change your country of residence, it often does not make sense to keep changing your health insurance every time you move. It is easier to use an insurance provider that you can stay insured with as you move around.
• The insurance premiums charged for Swiss international insurance are competitive compared to local private health insurance offers in many countries. That is especially true if you need insurance for the United States and Canada.
• Swiss insurance companies have a reputation for being reliable and making payments promptly.
• Swiss insurance providers must adhere to Swiss legal guidelines.

Which insurance offers are there?

A few large Swiss health insurance companies that provide mandatory health insurance and supplemental health insurance for residents of Switzerland also offer voluntary international health insurance for people living outside of Switzerland.

There are also Swiss insurance providers that specialize in international health insurance. The insurance offers from these providers are typically underwritten by third-party, foreign insurance companies.

International health insurance offers from Swiss insurance providers

Are there any other insurance companies that offer international health insurance?

In addition to Swiss insurance providers, there are also foreign insurance companies that offer international health insurance. Offers from non-Swiss insurance providers include these products:

• Allianz Care International Health Insurance
• April International Long-Term International Health Insurance
• ASN International Health Insurance
• AXA Global Healthcare International Health Insurance
• Bupa Global Private Health Insurance
• Cigna International Health Insurance
• Foyer Global Health International Health Insurance for Expatriates
• Globality Yougenio World
• HCI Incare Life
• HCI Protector Plan
• HCI Nimbl Health
• Now Health International Simplecare
• Now Health International Worldcare

What should I know before I apply for international health insurance?

1. You do not have a legal right to international health insurance. Unlike mandatory health insurance, which is a legal right for residents of Switzerland (and some Swiss living abroad), international health insurance from Swiss insurance providers is voluntary. Insurance companies are not required to give you international health insurance. If you do not meet the insurer’s criteria, your application for international health insurance will be turned down.
2. There are age limits for new applicants. Most insurance providers do not accept new applicants who are more than 70 years old. Pensioners living in EFTA and EU countries may be entitled to Swiss mandatory health insurance in some cases.
3. There are health criteria and exclusions. Insurance companies generally request detailed information about your health condition, your medical history, and your lifestyle. It is very important that you answer all of the questions honestly, as entering incorrect information could negatively impact your ability to claim insurance benefits.
4. You must inform the insurer every time you move. When you move to a new address, you must inform the insurance company about the move. That is particularly true if you move to a different country.
5. Coverage is not unlimited. Unlike Swiss mandatory health insurance, which provides unlimited coverage for covered treatments in Switzerland, the coverage of international health insurance is capped. The sum insured ranges between several hundred thousand francs and several million francs, depending on the offer. Additionally, there may be separate, lower limits for specific coverages (outpatient treatments, for example).
6. International health insurance is expensive. Unlike Swiss mandatory health insurance, the insurance premiums you pay for international health insurance keep getting higher as you get older. When considering an international health insurance offer, make sure to account for the future premiums you will pay as you age when calculating the cost. Choose a health insurance offer that gives you good value for money.

Good to know

If you are a Swiss citizen, you are entitled to take up residence in Switzerland at any time. When you move your residence to Switzerland, you are required to get Swiss mandatory health insurance. Swiss health insurance providers are required to give residents mandatory health insurance without any exclusions regardless of their age and health condition.

More on this topic:
Health insurance for Swiss living abroad
Swiss health insurance travel coverage explained
Compare Swiss mandatory health insurance offers now
Compare Swiss supplemental health insurance offers now
Leaving Switzerland: Important financial questions answered