Health insurance: Foreign students in Switzerland
Foreign students can apply for exemption from Swiss compulsory health insurance, provided that they have a policy offering equivalent cover. The exemption rules for students from EU/EFTA countries are different from those for other countries. Do you have any specific questions about your personal circumstances? If so, please contact the authority responsible for your canton of residence. You can find their details in the following PDF:
Students from EU/EFTA countries or United Kingdom (UK)
Under the Swiss-EU Agreement on the free movement of persons, the EFTA Convention and the new social security Agreement with the United Kingdom, students from EU/EFTA/UK undergoing education or training in Switzerland are not required to take out Swiss health insurance, provided that they are not working and thus remain insured under the social security system of their country of residence. They are entitled to receive medical treatment in Switzerland upon presentation of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). However, if they start working, they are required to take out Swiss health insurance (place-of-work principle).
Students that have private insurance can apply for exemption if their cover is equivalent. The application should be made to the responsible cantonal authority. For more information, please contact the authority responsible for your canton of your whereabouts directly (see the list of cantonal authorities below).
Students and trainees from other countries
Students and trainees from a country outside EU/EFTA/UK undergoing education or training in Switzerland can apply for exemption from Swiss compulsory health insurance, provided that they have private insurance offering cover equivalent to that of a Swiss health insurer. The application should be made to the responsible cantonal authority (see the list of cantonal authorities below). They can be exempted for a period of three years; this can be extended for another three years. Thereafter, they are required to take out health insurance in Switzerland.
Students taking out Swiss health insurance
Students who are subject to compulsory health insurance must obtain cover from an authorised Swiss health insurer. They are then subject to the same rules as persons resident in Switzerland (see below: compulsory health insurance, premiums, co-payment, premium subsidies).
Further information
Further topics
Requirement to obtain insurance
Anyone settling in Switzerland must take out health insurance within three months after taking up residence. After a birth, parents must obtain insurance for the child within the same period.
Premium subsidies
The cantons reduce the insurance premiums of policyholders living in modest economic circumstances. Premium reductions are jointly financed by the federal government and the cantons. The cantons are subject to minimum requirements regarding the financing of premium reductions. In return, the federal government provides them with an annual contribution.
Premiums and co-payment
Insurers set the premiums paid by policyholders. Services are subject to co-payment by policyholders.
Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Insurance Supervision Division
Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
Switzerland - 3003 Bern