Health & Insurances
You will find here an overview of all aspects of healthcare – for example, the health insurance system or insurance policies. Thanks to the platforms, you can get an assessment of various premiums or find specialists in the healthcare sector who speak your language.
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Health
Health
The age limit for the purchase of wine and beer is 16 years, for high-percentage alcohol 18 years. There is no nationwide regulation for the purchase of tobacco. In the canton of Bern, the minimum age is 18.
In Switzerland, smoking is prohibited in enclosed, publicly accessible spaces and on all public transport.
As far as your rented flat is concerned, the tenancy agreement will state whether smoking is permitted in the flat.
Specialists in the healthcare sector
Switzerland has a high-quality healthcare system. Every officially practising doctor has passed the quality tests and is authorised and recognised.
Good to know
As far as alternative medicine is concerned, not every alternative practitioner is recognised by every health insurance company. Always clarify the cover in advance.
Doctors' platform: Selection by specialisation, location and language
Directory of dentists: Selection by location and language of the dentist
Official public holidays, shop opening hours, emergency numbers and much more can be found under practical information.
Insurances
Old-age and survivors' insurance (AHV/IV) - 1st pillar
The AHV is intended to cover your basic needs in old age or in the event of your death. As a national insurance scheme, the AHV is compulsory for everyone in Switzerland.
Disability insurance (IV): Like the AHV, the IV is a compulsory insurance scheme. Its aim is to secure the insured person's livelihood if they become disabled.
Further information: AHV
Occupational Benefit Plan (OP) – 2nd Pillar
Known as the 2nd pillar, the Occupational Benefit Plan is designed to enable insured individuals to maintain their previous standard of living in a reasonable manner. Together with the first pillar, it aims to provide a pension income of approximately 60 percent of the final salary payment received.
Further information: FSIO
Good to know
Anyone who generates an income in Switzerland pays into the 1st and 2nd pillars. The contributions are automatically deducted from your salary.
Accident insurance
All employees working in Switzerland are compulsorily insured against accidents if they work more than eight hours a week. Self-employed persons must take out accident insurance.
FOPH: Accident insurance
Income compensation allowance (mother & other parents)
Women who live or work in Switzerland are entitled to maternity leave and maternity benefits.
Further information: AHV - Income compensation allowance
Unemployment insurance
If you live and work in Switzerland, the unemployment insurance contribution is automatically deducted from your salary. The conditions for entitlement to compensation in the event of unemployment and the amount of the daily allowance depend on many factors.
ch.ch: Unemployment
Further information: Income compensation allowance
Canton of Bern: Register with the RAV
Important for people with preferential status
Certain persons with preferential status are exempt from the social security system and/or other rules may apply. If you have any questions, please contact the protocol service.
Further information
SEM: "Swiss Social insurance system" brochure (in 11 languages)
City of Bern: Social insurance
Basic insurance
With a few exceptions (students from certain countries, cross-border commuters, etc.), health insurance is compulsory for all employees, persons resident in Switzerland and persons drawing a Swiss pension.
The insurance obligation applies from your arrival in Switzerland. However, you have three months from the date of arrival to take out basic insurance. You are free to choose your own provider. Anyone who has not taken out insurance three months after moving to Switzerland is automatically assigned to a health insurance fund.
Dental treatment is generally not covered by basic insurance.
Supplementary insurance
Supplementary insurance can cover additional treatments such as alternative medicine or treatment abroad.
Unlike basic insurance, supplementary insurance is not compulsory. It can also be taken out with another provider.
Premium, deductible & retention fee
The premium is the compulsory amount paid to the health insurance company in order to be insured.
You can choose between different annual deductibles. The higher the deductible, the lower the annual premium.
If you have exhausted your deductible, you only have to pay part of the costs for further treatment. This is known as the retention fee. It is usually 10% (but no more than CHF 700).
Good to know
Premiums differ from canton to canton and vary depending on the insurance model and deductible.
Insurance providers can be changed annually on 30 November.
FOPH: Directories of approved health insurers and reinsurers
Persons with preferential status
Persons with preferential status are exempt from compulsory insurance if their embassy, consulate or international organisation already provides an insurer for them.
Anyone who causes damage to third parties or third-party property may be liable to prosecution. This is why personal liability insurance, even though it is not legally compulsory, is strongly recommended for you and your family to protect you from the financial consequences.
Further information
ch.ch: Personal liability insurance
Comparis: Overview of insurers
Home contents insurance covers damage to your house, flat and property (e.g. skis, e-bikes) caused by fire, water, natural disasters, theft or glass breakage. Home contents insurance is often available as a package with personal liability insurance.
Although not obligatory, landlords usually require proof of home contents and personal liability insurance.
Further information: Accomodation & Mobility
Comparis: Overview of insurers
Personal liability insurance: Personal liability insurance covers damage to third parties and is mandatory (even for the vehicles of persons with preferential status!). Personal liability insurance covers you in all EU/EEA countries.
Comprehensive insurance: Damage to your own vehicle is covered by supplementary insurance. Although this is not compulsory, unlike personal liability insurance, it makes sense to add some cover.
In contrast to health insurance, all car insurance policies for the same car must be taken out with the same company.
Comparis: Overview of car insurances
Private Pension Scheme
Pillar 3a is a voluntary, individual and tax-privileged form of pension provision (contributions are tax-deductible). With a few exceptions, Pillar 3a capital cannot be withdrawn at any time, as it is intended to finance old age.
In principle, any person in gainful employment who is subject to AHV contributions can pay into Pillar 3a. For cross-border commuters and weekly residents, however, there are a few things to bear in mind with regard to tax deductibility. The exact legal regulations vary from country to country (depending on the double taxation agreement). If you have any questions, please contact your municipality or your home country.
Did you know that certain insurances are automatic, others are mandatory by law and some are not mandatory (but strongly recommended)?
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