How to take out Swiss health insurance in the first 3 months?
Taking out Swiss health insurance is a legal requirement after moving to Switzerland. This article explains the deadline, the rules on the deductible (Franchise), and common mistakes made by Hungarians.
Why is health insurance compulsory in Switzerland?
In Switzerland, taking out mandatory health insurance is a legal obligation for all residents. This is stipulated by the Health Insurance Act (Krankenversicherungsgesetz, KVG) and overseen by the Federal Office of Public Health (Bundesamt für Gesundheit, BAG).
The insurance obligation (Krankenversicherungspflicht) applies from the day a person moves to Switzerland and establishes residence. This is independent of the type of residence permit held: it applies to B permit holders, holders of L permits (short-term permits) and cross-border commuters alike, according to their respective rules.
An important principle: basic insurance is not an employer benefit. In Switzerland—unlike in Hungary—it is not automatically deducted from salary into a central fund. Everyone chooses their own insurer and pays a monthly premium (Prämie).
From a Hungarian perspective, this is one of the biggest adjustments: the Hungarian social insurance model (a shared, income-based contribution) does not apply here. The Swiss premium is fixed per person, not a percentage of salary.
Can we really wait until the end of the third month to arrange insurance?
Partly yes, but this can be misleading. The law provides a grace period for concluding the contract, but this does not mean that the first months are "uninsured, free" periods.
In practice, the insurance takes effect retroactively from the date of moving in regardless of whether the contract is signed in the first week or only in the third month. This means:
The obligation to pay premiums arises from the day of arrival.
Delaying does not provide a financial benefit: premiums for the missed months must be paid retrospectively.
However, delaying does create a risk: if medical care is needed during this time, the patient is responsible for the bill until there is an active contract.
This is why the idea that "we can wait" is misleading. The deadline is the administrative final date for concluding the contract, not the start date of coverage.
The exact deadline and its legal consequences may vary by canton, and the rules are clarified from time to time. In every case, it is advisable to check the specific procedure with the competent cantonal authority (Migrationsamt or the cantonal health insurance office).
What happens if we miss the 90-day deadline?
If someone takes out insurance after the grace period, there are two consequences to consider.
1. Retroactive premium payments. The insurance will still take effect retroactively from the date of moving in. Delaying therefore does not reduce the premium payable — it only accumulates.
2. Assignment by the authorities. If someone does not register at all, the cantonal authority may verify compliance with the insurance obligation and assign the resident to an insurer ex officio (von Amtes wegen). The assigned premium cannot be avoided either.
3. Possibility of a late-enrolment surcharge. Late enrolment may, under certain conditions, incur a surcharge (Prämienzuschlag bei verspätetem Beitritt). Its amount and the conditions for its application depend on statutory and cantonal regulations.
The verification of the insurance obligation and the implementation of ex officio assignment may vary by canton. Some cantons actively identify uninsured persons by cross-checking registers, while others are more passive.
The practical lesson is that the grace period should be used to compare insurers, rather than to postpone the decision indefinitely. The contract can be concluded in just a few days.
What is the difference between basic insurance and supplementary insurance?
This distinction is key to understanding the entire system, and it is also why the rules on deductibles differ.
Mandatory basic insurance (OKP / KVG). This is the legally required package that is mandatory for everyone. Its content is standardised nationwide: the law determines which services are covered. Insurers may not exclude sick or elderly applicants in this area — they must accept everyone (obligation to accept).
Supplementary insurance (VVG). This is voluntary private insurance governed by the Insurance Contract Act (Versicherungsvertragsgesetz, VVG). It includes, for example, private hospital accommodation, extended dental cover or alternative therapies. For these policies, insurers may reject the applicant, require a health questionnaire and set premiums according to their own rules.
The rules of the two systems differ:
Criterion | Basic insurance (OKP/KVG) | Supplementary insurance (VVG) |
|---|---|---|
Mandatory? | Yes, for all residents | No, voluntary |
Obligation to accept applicants | Yes, no one may be refused | No, the insurer may refuse |
Scope of coverage | Uniformly defined by law | Varies by product |
Pro-rating of the deductible upon enrolment | Excluded (full annual deductible) | May be prorated according to the policy terms |
This distinction will be particularly important in the next section.
How does the deductible (Franchise) work when joining during the year?
When joining during the year (unterjähriger Eintritt), the deductible for compulsory basic insurance does not decrease on a pro rata basis. This affects many newcomers unpleasantly.
The deductible (Franchise) is the annual amount that the insured person pays themselves before the insurer starts reimbursing costs. According to FinanzMonitor's compilation as of 15 June 2026, this amount can be selected between CHF 300 and CHF 2500.
The key point: if someone moves to Switzerland in September, they still have the the full annual deductible must be met before the insurer reimburses any costs — there is no pro rata reduction in basic insurance.
Let us look at a simple example based on data from FinanzMonitor and findbetter.ch:
If someone has chosen a CHF 2500 deductible, they must still pay costs themselves up to the full CHF 2500 during the remainder of the calendar year before reimbursement begins.
This is particularly risky for someone arriving towards the end of the year for only a few months who immediately incurs higher medical costs.
An exception applies to supplementary insurance. Private supplementary insurance policies governed by VVG, under their own terms and conditions (AVB), may apply a pro rata deductible. However, this depends on the product and insurer and should not be confused with basic insurance, where this is excluded.
Who pays a higher deductible, and who pays a lower one? The general logic is:
Higher deductible (e.g. CHF 2500): lower monthly premium, but a greater personal financial burden in the event of illness. This is typically chosen by people who rarely visit a doctor.
Lower deductible (e.g. CHF 300): higher monthly premium, but a lower personal financial burden. This is typically chosen by those who require regular care.
Choosing a deductible depends on an individual’s circumstances. This article does not provide personalised financial advice; before choosing a specific amount, it is worth considering one’s expected medical needs.
What typical mistakes do Hungarians moving to Switzerland make?
The most common mistakes stem from trying to apply the logic of the Hungarian public health insurance system to the Swiss system.
1. They believe the employer arranges it. In Switzerland, basic insurance does not work through the employer or via payroll deductions. The contract is concluded independently by the individual.
2. They regard the grace period as “free months”. Since insurance takes effect retroactively, delaying does not save money — it merely accumulates premiums and creates a period without coverage.
3. They do not compare prices. Monthly premiums vary significantly between insurers and cantons, despite identical statutory basic coverage. Comparison sites (e.g. findbetter.ch) are therefore useful.
4. They choose the wrong deductible. Many people choose a high deductible to secure the lowest monthly premium, only to discover after their first illness that they must pay up to CHF 2500 themselves — even if they join during the year, the full amount still applies.
5. They confuse basic and supplementary insurance. Many people think that an insurer must also accept everyone for a supplementary (VVG) package. This is not true: for supplementary insurance, the insurer may reject an application or require a health questionnaire.
6. They do not consider registering family members. In Switzerland, every family member — including children — is insured separately, with their own contract and premium. There is no “shared family insurance” in the Hungarian sense.
7. They fail to sort out the Hungarian side. The relationship between Hungarian social health insurance (OEP records) and the Swiss system must be addressed separately when moving from Hungary. It is advisable to clarify the exact procedure with the Hungarian health insurance fund, as this falls outside Swiss regulations.
Sources
findbetter.ch — https://www.findbetter.ch/
findbetter.ch: Choosing the right Franchise —
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In Brief
In Switzerland, basic health insurance must be taken out from the date of moving in, even if there is a grace period for concluding the policy. Premiums must also be paid retroactively, so delaying does not result in savings and may lead to a late-payment surcharge or an official assignment to an insurer.
Key Takeaways
- Compare health insurers as soon as possible after moving in, as the grace period does not mean free months.
- Check the applicable deadline and any potential legal consequences with the cantonal authority.
- Do not expect your employer to handle this: everyone must take out and pay for their own basic insurance policy.
- For basic insurance, the full annual Franchise applies even when joining during the year; consider the amount based on expected healthcare needs.
- Distinguish between mandatory basic insurance and optional supplementary insurance, as an insurer may reject an application for the latter.
- Each family member, including children, has separate insurance and a separate premium payment obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
By when must Swiss basic health insurance be taken out?
According to the article, a statutory grace period is available, often referred to as 90 days, but the exact deadline and legal consequences may vary by canton. It is advisable to verify the specific procedure with the responsible cantonal health insurance office or the Migrationsamt.
Are the first months free if someone takes out insurance later?
No. The obligation to have insurance and pay premiums begins on the date of moving to Switzerland, so premiums for missed months must also be paid retroactively. Without a policy, settling the costs of healthcare may also become problematic.
What happens if someone does not take out insurance on time?
The insurance must still be arranged retroactively from the date of moving in. The cantonal authority may assign the person concerned to an insurer ex officio, and a late-payment surcharge may also arise under certain conditions.
Does the employer arrange Swiss health insurance?
No. Mandatory basic insurance is not an employer benefit, and premiums are not automatically deducted from salary. The individual chooses an insurer, takes out the policy, and pays the monthly premium.
What is the difference between basic and supplementary insurance?
Basic insurance (OKP/KVG) is mandatory for every resident, its benefits are defined by law, and an insurer must accept every applicant. Supplementary insurance (VVG) is voluntary; the insurer may require a health questionnaire, apply its own conditions, and reject an applicant.
Does the deductible decrease if someone moves to Switzerland during the year?
No. Under mandatory basic insurance, the deductible is not reduced proportionally. According to the information in the article, the selectable Franchise can range from CHF 300 to CHF 2500, and the full annual amount must be taken into account even when joining during the year.
Do family members and children need separate insurance?
Yes. In Switzerland, every family member, including children, is insured separately, with their own policy and premium. There is no shared family insurance comparable to the Hungarian system.
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