Switching health insurance in Switzerland: Guide and deadlines

Switching health insurance: Why and when it's worth it

As a foreigner or new arrival in Switzerland, you may be wondering: Do I have to keep my current health insurance, or can I switch? The answer is clear: You have the right to switch your health insurance at any time. Many people in Switzerland use this option to save money or get better benefits. Switching is particularly worthwhile at the turn of the year, as premiums can differ significantly – sometimes by several hundred francs per year.

Switching is free and completely straightforward. Your new health insurance will handle the deregistration from the old one – you don't have to do it yourself. That's why you shouldn't wait too long to find the best option for your situation, especially if you're new to the country.

Important deadlines for switching health insurance

For your switch to take effect on 1 January of a new year, you must give notice to your old health insurance by 30 November at the latest. This is the official notice period for switching insurance at the turn of the year. Important: Notice must be given in writing – a phone call or email is not sufficient.

If, for example, you arrive in Switzerland in August and find that your current health insurance is too expensive, you can already switch on 1 January after giving notice in November. So you don't have to wait twelve months. There is also an important reason for an immediate switch: If your health insurance increases its premiums by more than 8 per cent, you have an extraordinary right to terminate. In this case, you can switch immediately without waiting until 30 November.

How to compare health insurance correctly

Before you give notice, you should compare the available offerings. The Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) provides you with the website priminfo.admin.ch – here you can compare all premiums and benefits of health insurance companies in your region. The comparison is free and very clearly laid out.

When comparing, pay attention not only to the premium, but also to:

Deductibles and excess amounts: A health insurance with a lower premium may have higher deductibles. Consider how often you go to the doctor.
Additional insurance: Do you need dental treatment, complementary medicine or better hospital cover? These cost extra.
Network and doctors: Is your GP in the new insurance company's network? Can you choose specialists freely?
Customer service: Particularly as a foreigner, good support is important – in your language or at least understandable in German.

Use the comparison on priminfo.admin.ch as a starting point, but also speak to your adviser – together we can analyse your individual situation and find the best solution.

How to give notice properly

Once you've decided on a new health insurance company, follow these steps:

Register with the new health insurance company. They will send you all necessary documents.
Give written notice to your old health insurance company. Use a cancellation form or a letter with a clear end date (e.g. «I hereby cancel my insurance as of 31 December 20XX»).
Send the notice by post or registered mail – so you have proof.
Keep the cancellation confirmation.
Your new health insurance company will take over the insurance on the agreed date – normally without any gap.

A common mistake: people give notice too late or think a verbal cancellation is sufficient. This leads to problems and a gap in cover. It's better to be early and in writing.

Switching health insurance as a foreigner: Special considerations

As a new arrival in Switzerland, you must register with a health insurance company within three months of your arrival. This is not optional – health insurance is compulsory in Switzerland. If you're coming from abroad, you will normally need the following documents:

Your passport or identity document
Confirmation from your employer or tenancy agreement
Possibly a certificate from your home country regarding previous insurance cover

Many health insurance companies are used to working with foreigners – but it can still be helpful to make it clear at the initial meeting that you're new to Switzerland. This way you can ask targeted questions and better understand what benefits you're entitled to.

Saving costs when switching health insurance

An average family in Switzerland saves 200 to 400 CHF per year by switching insurance companies – some even more. That's money you can invest in other things. To really save, you should:

Compare anew every year. Premiums change constantly.
Choose a higher excess if you're rarely ill. This significantly reduces your premium.
Avoid unnecessary additional insurance. Basic insurance covers the essentials.
Switch early if you see a good deal – don't wait until November.

Help from your adviser: We support you

Your adviser Branislav Hepner is happy to help you further – not only with switching health insurance, but also with an overview of all insurance and provision questions. As a foreigner or new arrival, you often have many unanswered questions: What insurance do I really need? How does health insurance affect my taxes? What provision is worthwhile? Together we discuss your entire situation and find tailor-made solutions – not just for health insurance, but for your entire financial security in Switzerland.

Conclusion: It's worth switching health insurance

Switching to a better or cheaper health insurance is easier than many think. The only important thing is to meet the deadline (30 November) and give written notice. With a comparison on priminfo.admin.ch and a bit of thought, you'll quickly find health insurance that suits you. As a newcomer in particular, you shouldn't delay too long – the Swiss insurance market has much to offer, and you should benefit from the best conditions available.

Arrange a free consultation appointment with Helpner and let your adviser Branislav Hepner provide you with comprehensive advice on health insurance and insurance matters.