Swiss Health Insurance for Expats: What You Need to Know to Get the Right Cover For Your Family

In Switzerland, health insurance is a requirement for all residents, including expats. LAMal (L'Assurance Maladie) is the basic health insurance you’ll need to sign up for within three months of arriving in Switzerland. When I first moved here, I had to get this sorted fast. There’s no room for delays.

LAMal covers essential medical services like doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, and emergency care. However, it doesn’t cover everything. If you want more extensive coverage, especially for your family, you’ll need to look into supplementary insurance.

What LAMal Doesn’t Cover

While LAMal covers the basics, it often doesn’t include certain services like dental care, vision care (glasses, contacts), or alternative treatments (e.g., acupuncture). Many of my clients have young families so it’s vitally important to look for additional coverage for these areas, especially their children.

How to Enrol in Swiss Health Insurance

Enrolling in health insurance in Switzerland is fairly simple, but it’s something you need to do promptly. You’ll need proof of residency and your personal details. Be sure to do this within three months of your arrival. If you miss the deadline, you risk being assigned a default insurer, which isn’t ideal, and could leave you facing fines.

Choosing the Right Health Insurance Plan

Basic vs. Supplementary Insurance: What’s the Difference?

When I first enrolled in LAMal, I quickly realised that while it covers the essentials, there are gaps. That’s where supplementary insurance comes in. It’s optional, but, it’s a good idea to consider.

Basic Insurance: This covers essential services like doctor visits and hospital stays. However, it won’t cover everything, especially for more personalised care or treatments.

Supplementary Insurance: These plans are designed to fill in the gaps. They cover things that LAMal doesn’t, like dental care, physiotherapy, and even private hospital rooms. This is especially important if you have children, as they often need dental and vision care that’s not covered under basic insurance.

Finding the Best Plan for Your Family

When choosing the best plan for your family, there are a few things to consider:

• Family size: If you have children, dental care and vision coverage are essential to consider.
• Existing health conditions: If anyone in your family has ongoing health concerns, make sure your supplementary plan covers treatments for those conditions.
• Region of residence: Different areas of Switzerland have different insurance providers, so make sure to choose one that offers the best coverage in your region.

Tips for Comparing Providers

When comparing insurance providers, here are a few things I learned from experience:

• Premiums: While the basic premiums are set by law, supplementary premiums vary. Don’t just choose the cheapest option—look at the coverage included in the plan.
• Flexibility: Life changes, and your insurance needs will too. Make sure the insurer you choose allows you to adjust your coverage as your family’s needs evolve.

Special Considerations for Expats

International Insurance for Expats

When I first moved to Switzerland, I considered keeping my international health insurance, but I found that it didn’t meet all the requirements here. While some expats do keep their international plans, I’d suggest opting for Swiss coverage to ensure that you comply with local regulations and get full access to services.

Transitioning from a Foreign Health Plan

If you’re moving from another country, you might have international health insurance that covers you temporarily. I had to make sure my international policy would bridge the gap while I enrolled in Swiss insurance. There’s often a transition period where you’ll need both, so be sure to check if your international insurer allows for that.

Health Insurance Costs and Tax Implications

Premiums and Cost Sharing

Health insurance in Switzerland can be costly, especially for families. Premiums are based on a variety of factors, such as your age and where you live. It’s important to compare different insurers and plans to find the best option for your family’s budget.

In addition to premiums, most plans have deductibles and co-payments. I found that the deductible can have a significant impact on your overall costs, so it’s worth choosing one that makes sense for your family’s needs.

Tax Deductions for Health Insurance

The good news for expats is that health insurance premiums are tax-deductible in Switzerland. This includes both your basic and supplementary insurance premiums, which can help reduce your overall tax burden. Depending on your income and the canton you live in, the amount you can deduct will vary, but it’s definitely worth looking into.

Choosing the right health insurance is a vital part of managing your financial health as an expat in Switzerland. However, it’s just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to securing your financial future. A comprehensive financial review will help ensure that you’re not only covered for healthcare but also have the right strategy in place for retirement, tax planning, and other essential areas of your financial life.

Speak To Skybound Wealth

If you haven’t already reviewed your insurance or financial plan in Switzerland, now’s the time to do so. I recommend booking a holistic financial review to make sure your family’s needs are being met across the board. Together, we can look at your health insurance, investment strategy, and tax planning to ensure you're set up for a secure future, no matter what life throws your way.