Swiss health insurance after moving, the 90 day rule and 7 common mistakes to avoid

After registering your residence in Switzerland, you generally have three months to enroll in mandatory basic health insurance (KVG). This deadline starts from the day you officially become resident.

This sounds relaxed, but it is not quite. Whether you sign up on day one or day ninety, your insurance coverage is retroactive from the day you became resident. That means you owe premiums going back to that date.

Another common misunderstanding is thinking you can move to Switzerland without insurance and decide later. That is not correct. Basic health insurance is mandatory, with only rare exceptions.

So the 90 day period is not a grace period. It is time to organize. Use it to compare and choose the right solution for you. But waiting does not save money.

Many people are surprised when the first invoice arrives. It does not just cover the current month. It goes back to the day you registered with the municipality.

This is not an error. It is how the system works. Coverage starts retroactively so you are protected from day one. If you visit a doctor or go to hospital during this time, the insurance covers costs according to standard rules.

For you this means there is no advantage to waiting in the first few weeks. You pay the same premiums in the end, but you have less time to compare and risk making a poor decision under pressure.

That is why it pays to sign up early. Not because it is cheaper, but because you then have peace of mind and can focus on other things.

The two most important decisions at the start are the insurance model and the deductible.

Models:

• Standard: You can choose any doctor freely. Most flexibility, highest premium.
• Family doctor model: You always visit your family doctor first. They refer you if needed. Cheaper than standard.
• HMO: You go to a specific health center. Affordable, but less flexibility.
• Telemedicine: First contact is a hotline or app. Very cheap, but you must call there first.

If you are young and healthy and rarely see a doctor, HMO or telemedicine are often the best choice. If you regularly need specific specialists, the family doctor model is a good compromise.

Deductible:

The deductible is the amount you pay yourself each year before insurance kicks in. It ranges from CHF 300 to CHF 2500.

• High deductible: Lower premium, but you pay a lot yourself if you get sick.
• Low deductible: Higher premium, but less risk.

For healthy people, the highest deductible is often sensible. But calculate before you decide.

Besides mandatory basic insurance, there are supplemental insurances. These are optional and cover things not included in the basic package.

Common supplemental insurances:

• Hospital insurance (semi-private/private): Private room, free choice of doctor in hospital.
• Outpatient supplemental: Glasses, alternative medicine, prevention.
• Dental insurance: Treatments, corrections.

When is it worth it?

For most young, healthy people, supplemental insurances are not urgent. Basic insurance already covers a lot. But if you have specific needs, for example regular physiotherapy or alternative medicine, supplemental insurance can make sense.

Important to know:

Supplemental insurances often have health questions and can reject you. That is why it sometimes makes sense to get supplemental insurance early, before health issues arise.

For the start I recommend: First complete the basic insurance properly, then think in peace about whether supplemental coverage is necessary.

To register with a health insurer, you typically need the following documents:

• Valid ID (passport or national ID)
• Swiss address (residence confirmation or rental contract)
• Residence status or confirmation from the municipality
• IBAN for premium payments

Most insurers offer online registration. You upload the documents, choose model and deductible, and receive confirmation shortly after.

Process:

1. Choose 2 to 3 insurers to compare
2. Use comparison sites like comparis.ch or priminfo.admin.ch
3. Complete the process online
4. You receive a policy by mail
5. Provide proof of insurance to your municipality (if required)

The municipality usually checks whether you are insured. If you do not provide proof, they can assign you to an insurer. You want to avoid that because then you have no choice.

1. Waiting too long

The three month deadline passes quickly. Those who wait decide under pressure and make more mistakes.

2. Not comparing

Premiums vary widely. Comparing can save several hundred francs per year.

3. Choosing the wrong model

If you rarely see a doctor, you do not need the standard model. If you regularly need specialists, do not choose HMO.

4. Misjudging the deductible

A high deductible saves on premiums, but only if you truly never get sick. Calculate first.

5. Getting supplemental insurance too early or too late

Some sign up for everything at once even though they do not need it. Others forget until they are rejected.

6. Forgetting the proof of insurance

The municipality requires proof. If you do not provide it, you get assigned.

7. Not watching cancellation deadlines

If you want to switch, you must observe deadlines. A late letter can cost you a year.

Aarau

The residents office in Aarau checks proof of insurance when you register. It helps to bring confirmation from your insurer or submit it soon after. Major insurers are well represented in Aarau, many have local agencies.

At BoVita in Aarau all formalities are transparently handled. We are happy to answer questions about health insurance, even though we do not sell insurance ourselves.

Wohlen

In Wohlen the process is similar. The municipality expects proof of insurance. If you sign up online, it often takes just a few days to receive confirmation.

St. Gallen

St. Gallen has a wide range of insurers. For students and young professionals there are often special offers. The city is used to fast processes since many newcomers arrive here.

At BoVita in St. Gallen we are happy to help you settle in after your move.