Insurance
On this page you will find the rules, procedures and timelines for taking out medical, personal liability or homeowners insurance.
Medical insurance
In Switzerland, every resident must insure himself or herself for medical care within three months of arrival by freely choosing among licensed health insurance companies. If necessary, supplementary insurance can be activated to cover additional costs. Students, with a residence permit for study purposes, and with equivalent insurance, can apply for exemption from health insurance!
Private liability insurance
Private liability insurance in Ticino is not required by law, but it is highly recommended and often required for everyday situations, covering damages that an individual might cause to third parties.
Home contents insurance
Household contents insurance covers personal property within a home. It is not mandatory in Ticino, but some landlords require it in order to proceed with renting an apartment.
Who needs medical insurance?
Every person residing in Switzerland is required to obtain insurance for medical treatment within three months of arrival or birth in the country, in accordance with the Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG/KVG/LAMal). The start date of the insurance contract must coincide with the date you move in. You are allowed to make an unrestricted choice among health insurers recognized and authorized to operate by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). The full list can be accessed by clicking here.
Through the Priminfo and Comparis.ch portals, you can compare the different proposals available and opt for the one that best meets your needs.
Additional insurance can be activated in case you want the policy to cover the cost of additional benefits.
Aspects to know
When you are sick, health insurance covers the costs of medical examinations, treatments, and certain preventive measures that are essential for maintaining health, such as vaccinations or health assessments. In accordance with the Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG), all health insurance funds are required to cover the costs of the same services.
Before proceeding with a treatment, your doctor is obliged to inform you if your basic insurance does not cover the costs, thus ensuring complete transparency regarding the costs and coverage provided.
The health insurance premium represents the monthly fee payable to health insurance.
Rates vary according to age, canton of residence, insurer, deductible and plan chosen.
Young adults up to age 25 and children enjoy more affordable premiums.
The deductible represents the annual amount you have to cover for your medical expenses, and only after you reach it does the health insurance company begin to cover the costs.
Adults have the freedom to select an annual deductible ranging from CHF 300 to a maximum of CHF 2,500.
Opting for a higher deductible results in cheaper monthly premiums.
After you have exhausted your deductible, you will continue to cover 10% of your medical expenses. This rate, limited to 700 CHFper year, is the maximum annual amount you will have to pay in addition to your deductible.
In other words, each year, your maximum contribution will be your selected deductible plus a maximum of 700 francs percentage rate.
A fixed charge of CHF 15 per day of hospital stay is required, with no time limit. However, children, young adults in training and pregnant women are exempt from hospital cost contributions.
Health insurance exemption
Foreign students, pupils, trainees and interns who hold a residence permit for study purposes (stay for training) are exempt from the insurance requirement if they are already covered by equivalent insurance for medical treatment in Switzerland.
Foreign insurance recognized as equivalent for treatment in Switzerland includes:
- European Health Insurance Card: Accepted only for students who are simultaneously citizens and residents of an EU/EFTA state. An exception is granted to students of non-EU/EFTA citizenship from Germany who are insured with the German EHIC, as Germany is the only state that covers medical benefits obtained in Switzerland even for citizens of non-EU/EFTA states.
- Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC): Allowed only for British students residing in the United Kingdom.
- Foreign Private Insurance: Accepted if they offer unlimited coverage equivalent to the benefits guaranteed by basic insurance (KVG/LAMal). This mode is valid for both students from EU/EFTA and non-EU/EFTA states.
Foreign students who are not covered by one of the insurances mentioned above are required to undergo compulsory health insurance in Switzerland.
For more information on insurance rules for foreign students in Switzerland, visit the Federal Office of Public Health website.
The form to apply for exemption, duly completed and signed, together with the required documents, must be sent in original format within three months from the date of arrival in Switzerland to the Social Insurance Institute.
The required documents are as follows:
- Copy of the European Health Insurance Card (or equivalent).
- Copy of Residence Permit, if not available, copy of notification of arrival
- Attendance certificate from the university.
Requests sent more than 3 months after arrival in Switzerland will not be accepted and it will be necessary to have basic insurance in Switzerland.
If the request is approved, the exemption will be granted until the residence permit expires.
If the application is approved, the exemption is granted until the residence permit expires. Accordingly, it is necessary to renew the request for exemption annually by emailing a front and back copy of the new residence permit to the Institute of Social Insurance (IAS).
Any student who has enjoyed the exemption loses this right when one of the following events occurs first:
- Completion of education (graduation, withdrawal, exclusion from studies).
- Final departure from the Canton of Ticino/ Switzerland.
- Commencement of gainful employment (job or internship) not essential for graduation.
- Start of family reunification procedures, such as marriage to a Swiss citizen or foreigner domiciled in Switzerland.
- Expiration of the 6-year, maximum permissible limit for exemption from medical care insurance under Swiss law (KVV/OAMal).
- Failure to meet the criteria for exemption (KVV/OAMal) and subjection to the health insurance obligation in Switzerland (KVG/LAMal) for another reason.
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From the day after the end of the exemption, those who remain in Switzerland are subject to the health care insurance obligation under Swiss law (KVG/LAMal) and must take out an insurance policy.
If any changes occur, notify the Social Insurance Institute!
If you are insured or have an exemption, inform the Social Insurance Institution by completing and submitting the form if any of the following changes occur:
- change of address;
- issuance, renewal, modification or revocation of residence permit;
- end of studies;
- permanent departure from Canton Ticino/Switzerland;
- start of gainful employment;
- change of marital status;
- any other change relevant to insurance coverage.
Who needs private liability insurance?
When you cause damage to others, you have an obligation to compensate them. You can opt for private liability (PL) insurance to cover the costs associated with situations such as breaking a friend’s glasses, a bicycle accident, or your dog biting a child.
Private liability insurance is optional in Switzerland, but it is often required when renting an apartment.
In most cantons, it is also mandatory for:
- dog owners
- owners of motor vehicles, including motorcycles and fast electric bicycles.
What does private liability insurance cover?
- Personal injury and property damage
- The costs of damage prevention
- Property damages that arose as a result of personal injury or property damage
- The defense against unfounded claims
What does private liability insurance not cover?
- Losses suffered by you as an insured or by a person living in your household
- Damages caused in the course of your professional activity,
- Property damage related to wear and tear,
- Damages related to the transmission of a contagious disease,
- Damages caused by a crime or intentional crime
How much does private liability insurance cost?
Insurance rates vary widely depending on the amount insured, the deductible and the risks included in the contract. In Switzerland, insurance companies offer coverage ranging from 5 to 20 million francs. The deductible, that is, the amount you will have to personally cover in case of a loss, usually ranges from 0 to 5,000 francs.
Who needs household contents insurance?
Home contents insurance is a form of insurance coverage that protects personal property and furniture within a residence in case of damage or loss. This insurance policy can cover a wide range of situations, including fire, theft, damage caused by floods or other natural disasters, vandalism and other damaging events.
In Ticino, household contents insurance is optional, but many landlords require it when renting an apartment.
The answer to your questions
Every individual residing in Switzerland is required to obtain insurance for medical care within three months of arrival or birth in the country, in accordance with the Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG/KVG/LAMal).
There are several options for saving on insurance premiums:
- Choose a health insurance company with lower premiums.
- Choose a family doctor model or other insurance modality with lower premiums.
- Opt for a higher deductible to get a premium reduction.
- If you work more than eight hours a week, you are already mandatorily covered against accidents, avoiding the need for additional insurance with the mandatory health insurer.
Find out how to save money on basic insurance!
Visit the site of the offices responsible for reducing premiums.
The form to apply for exemption, duly completed and signed, together with the required documents, must be sent in original format within three months from the date of arrival in Switzerland to the Social Insurance Institute.
The required documents are as follows:
- Copy of the European Health Insurance Card (or equivalent).
- Copy of Residence Permit, if not available, copy of notification of arrival
- Attendance certificate from the university.
Requests sent more than 3 months after arrival in Switzerland will not be accepted and it will be necessary to have basic insurance in Switzerland.
If the request is approved, the exemption will be granted until the residence permit expires.
If the application is approved, the exemption is granted until the residence permit expires.
Accordingly, it is necessary to renew the exemption request annually by emailing a front and back copy of the new residence permit to the Institute of Social Insurance (IAS).
