How long do I have to get insured when arriving in Switzerland?
The answer
Three months from taking up residence, backdated to the first day. The lowest adult premium in the country is CHF 335.10 a month, in Baar.
Why
After that deadline the canton assigns you automatically, often to an expensive insurer, and the premiums for the months already passed fall due at once. Choosing late therefore saves nothing: it stacks several premiums onto the same bill.
No insurer may refuse you for basic cover, whatever your age or health. Insurance from your home country does not exempt you, unless the canton formally grants an exemption.
The other questions
- Which is the cheapest health insurer in Switzerland?
- How much does health insurance cost in Switzerland?
- How much does health insurance cost for a child?
- When can I change health insurer?
- Can a Swiss health insurer refuse you?
- Are the benefits the same at every insurer?
- Which deductible should I choose?
- Does the family doctor model really save money?
- Can I remove accident cover from my health insurance?
- What is the difference between the deductible and the co-payment?
- Why does my neighbour pay less than me?
- Why do premiums rise every year?
- How do I cancel my Swiss health insurance?
- What happens if I do not pay my premium?
- Do I have to insure a newborn, and when?
- How many health insurers are there in Switzerland?
- Does my employer insure me against accidents?
- What happens to my insurance if I move to another canton?
- What happens to my insurance if I lose my job?
- Is personal liability insurance mandatory in Switzerland?
- Is household insurance mandatory in Switzerland?
- Partial or comprehensive casco: which one?
- Should I report a small claim to my car insurer?
- Can a supplementary policy be cancelled together with basic insurance?
- Is buying into your pension fund worth it?
Source: Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), official premiums.