Insurance for Students

Swiss students: what changes at 18 and 25

Swiss residents are individually insured under KVG from the day they are born. As a child (0-18), you have reduced children's premiums. When you turn 19, you move into the "young adult" premium category in most cantons, which is roughly 10-25% cheaper than full adult premiums. This reduced rate typically applies until age 25.

For supplementary insurance (Zusatzversicherung), the rules are different. Children are often covered under a parent's supplementary policy. This family coverage usually ends at age 18, or at 25 if the child is still in full-time education. Check your parents' supplementary policy terms — you may need to take out your own supplementary coverage when this lapses.

• Age 0-18: Children's KVG premiums (lowest tier). Supplementary often under parents' policy.
• Age 19-25: Young adult KVG premiums (reduced rate). Supplementary family coverage may continue if in full-time education.
• Age 26+: Full adult premiums apply. All supplementary coverage is individual.

International students: KVG or exemption

If you come to Switzerland to study, you are in principle subject to the same KVG obligation as any other resident. You must enroll in Swiss basic health insurance within 3 months of registering with your commune (Einwohnerkontrolle).

However, international students may apply for an exemption (Befreiung) if they can prove they already have equivalent health coverage from their home country. This is not automatic — you must actively apply to your canton's health department.

The cantonal exemption process

Each canton decides independently whether to grant exemptions to international students. The process generally works as follows:

1. Gather documentation: You need proof of your existing insurance (policy document, coverage summary in English or the local language), proof of enrollment at a Swiss university, and your residence registration
2. Submit to your canton: File the exemption request with your canton's health department (Gesundheitsdirektion / Direction de la sante) within 3 months of your registration date
3. Wait for a decision: The canton evaluates whether your existing coverage meets Swiss minimum standards. This includes inpatient and outpatient care, prescription drugs, and emergency coverage in Switzerland
4. Receive confirmation or rejection: If approved, you receive a formal exemption letter. If rejected, you must enroll in Swiss KVG immediately

Cantonal practices vary significantly. Zurich and Geneva are known to be stricter — they reject many exemption requests unless the foreign coverage very closely matches KVG. Smaller cantons and those with large student populations (e.g., Vaud, Bern) may be somewhat more flexible, but this changes over time. Never assume your exemption will be granted.

Exchange students and short stays

If you are in Switzerland for a short exchange program (less than 12 months), the rules may be more lenient. Many cantons accept adequate international student insurance or travel insurance for exchange students, provided it covers medical treatment in Switzerland with reasonable limits (typically at least CHF 200,000 coverage).

Your home university's exchange office often arranges group insurance for outgoing students — check whether this meets Swiss requirements before arranging your own. If you are enrolled through programs like Erasmus+, your coordinating institution may provide guidance on Swiss insurance compliance.

PhD students and researchers with contracts longer than 12 months are generally treated as regular residents and must join KVG (or obtain a formal exemption).

Minimizing your insurance costs as a student

Swiss health insurance is a significant expense for students. Here are concrete strategies to reduce costs:

• Choose the highest franchise (CHF 2,500): If you are young and healthy, the highest franchise dramatically reduces your monthly premium. You save CHF 100-200/month on premiums in exchange for paying the first CHF 2,500 of medical costs yourself each year
• Pick an alternative model: HMO or Telmed models offer 10-25% lower premiums than the standard model with minimal practical restrictions for a healthy young person
• Apply for premium subsidies: Students with low income (including those relying on scholarships or parental support) often qualify for cantonal premium reductions (Praemienverbilligung). Apply through your canton's social insurance office — the savings can be substantial, sometimes covering the entire premium
• Compare insurers: Premiums for the exact same coverage vary by insurer. Use priminfo.admin.ch to compare
• Accidents coverage: If you work part-time 8+ hours/week, your employer covers accident insurance (UVG). Switch your KVG to "without accidents" (ohne Unfall) to avoid paying twice — this alone saves CHF 5-15/month

What happens if you do not insure

If you fail to enroll in KVG or obtain an exemption within 3 months, your canton will assign you to an insurer (Zuweisung). The assigned insurer is typically one of the more expensive options, and you lose the ability to choose your model or franchise — you will be placed on the standard model with the lowest franchise (CHF 300), resulting in the highest possible premiums.

Additionally, any medical costs incurred during the uninsured period may not be retroactively covered, leaving you personally liable. For a hospital stay, this could mean bills of CHF 10,000+ out of pocket. Do not delay enrollment.