How to Enrol in Swiss Health Insurance

The 90-day rule explained

The 90-day clock starts on the date you officially register your residence at your local municipality (Gemeinde in German, commune in French). This is not the date you physically arrived in Switzerland or crossed the border — it is the date on your registration confirmation.

Within these 90 days you must submit an application to a KVG-approved health insurer. The insurer then has 30 days to confirm your enrolment. Your coverage will be retroactive to your registration date, even if your application is processed weeks later.

Where to sign up

Unlike many countries, Switzerland does not have a government health insurance office. You enrol directly with a private health insurance company (Krankenkasse/caisse maladie). There are around 50 approved insurers in Switzerland.

You can sign up in three ways:

• Online: Most insurers have online application forms on their websites (fastest method)
• By post: Download and print the application form, fill it out, and mail it to the insurer
• In person: Visit an insurer's office or an independent insurance broker

Documents you need

To apply for KVG insurance you will typically need:

• Residence permit (or the application receipt if your permit is still being processed)
• Swiss address (your registered address at the Gemeinde/commune)
• Date of entry into Switzerland
• Date of birth and personal details (name, nationality)
• AHV/AVS number (social security number) — if you have one already; if not, the insurer can often proceed without it initially

You do not need a medical exam or health declaration for basic KVG insurance. Every insurer must accept every applicant for basic insurance — there is no rejection based on age, health, or pre-existing conditions.

Choosing an insurer

All KVG insurers cover exactly the same treatments — the benefits are defined by law. The only differences are:

• Premium price — varies significantly between insurers (differences of CHF 100+/month are common)
• Available models — not every insurer offers every model (HMO, Telmed, etc.) in every canton
• Service quality — speed of claims processing, customer support language, digital tools

Use the official federal comparison tool at priminfo.admin.ch to compare premiums across all approved insurers for your canton, age group, and chosen model/franchise combination.

What happens if you miss the deadline

If you do not enrol within 90 days, the following happens:

• Your canton's health authority (Gesundheitsdirektion) assigns you to an insurer — you get no choice in which one
• You are charged a penalty surcharge of up to 50% on your premium for up to 6 months
• You still owe premiums retroactively from your registration date, including during the period you were uninsured
• Any medical costs incurred during the gap must be paid out of pocket first, then submitted for retroactive reimbursement (which may involve delays)

Children born in Switzerland

If your child is born in Switzerland, they must be insured retroactively from birth. You have 3 months from the date of birth to enrol them with an insurer. Coverage applies from day one.

Children's premiums are lower than adult premiums (typically CHF 100–140/month depending on the canton). Young adults aged 19–25 also receive reduced premiums with most insurers.

Can you opt out of KVG?

In almost all cases, no. Swiss basic health insurance is mandatory for every person residing in Switzerland. The only exceptions are:

• Diplomats and their families with immunity under international law
• Cross-border workers who can prove equivalent coverage in their country of residence (this right varies by country and is being progressively restricted)
• Temporary stays under 3 months with valid travel insurance from your home country (you must not register at a municipality)

If you are a regular resident or hold a B, C, L, or F permit, you must have KVG insurance. There is no private-only alternative that replaces it.

Next steps after enrolling

Once your application is submitted:

• You will receive a confirmation letter and your insurance card (Versicherungskarte) within 2–4 weeks
• Find and register with a GP (Hausarzt) — especially important if you chose a Hausarzt, HMO, or Network model
• Check your eligibility for premium subsidies (Prämienverbilligung)
• Consider whether you need supplementary insurance (dental, private hospital room, etc.) — apply while healthy, as pre-existing conditions can lead to exclusions or rejection