New to Switzerland? Excellent cover with Sanitas

To ensure that you receive the best possible care, it is important that you register for mandatory basic insurance with a health insurance company of your choice within three months of your arrival. The registration period begins on the day you register with the registration office, i.e. from the date on which your residence permit or foreign national identity card is issued. 

The basic insurance provided by your health insurer covers important basic services such as emergency treatment in the UK and in EU and EFTA countries. The situation is different in other parts of the world, where basic insurance reimburses up to twice the amount that would be covered for the same treatment in your canton of residence in Switzerland. In countries such as the USA, Canada, Japan and Australia in particular, you may incur unexpectedly high costs if you need to go to hospital in an emergency. The Easy travel insurance plan closes these gaps.  

Our money-saving tips will show you how to reduce your premium and healthcare costs. 

In Switzerland there are two different types of reimbursement for medical services. Under the “tiers garant” (third-party guarantor) system, you pay the bill yourself and send the reclaim voucher to your health insurer. Under the “tiers payant” (third-party payer) system, your doctor sends the bill directly to your health insurer.

In Switzerland, a separate health insurance premium must be paid for each person. Anyone who moves to Switzerland with their family must take out basic health insurance for each family member.