Healthcare is high quality but expensive without insurance. This guide does not replace advice from your insurer or cantonal health office.

Health roadmap

Arrive → Enrol in basic insurance (3 months) → Choose model → GP/pharmacy → Emergencies if needed

Student health checklist

  • Within 3 months of becoming liable: take out basic health insurance (KVG/LAMal) with any licensed insurer.
  • Compare: annual franchise (CHF 300–2,500) + monthly premium + model (standard, HMO, Telmed).
  • Bring to Switzerland: vaccination records, glasses prescription, regular medications (with doctor letter).
  • Dental: Basic insurance covers little — budget separately or add supplementary cover.
  • Mental health: University counselling + national helplines (143, 147).

Mandatory basic insurance (LAMal / KVG)

Every resident must have basic insurance covering standard medical care. Insurers must accept you; they differ in price and service models, not core benefits.

ElementWhat it means
Franchise (Franchise)Annual deductible you pay first (CHF 300–2,500); higher franchise → lower premium
Retention fee (Selbstbehalt)10% of costs above franchise, capped per year
Standard modelFree choice of doctor
HMO / TelmedCheaper premiums; must call gatekeeper or telemedicine first
Accident coverIf you work ≥8 h/week, employer insures accidents — coordinate with insurer
  1. Compare premiums — Use priminfo.admin.ch (official premium calculator).
  2. Choose franchise — Healthy young students often pick CHF 2,500 franchise to lower monthly cost (you pay more if you need care).
  3. Submit application — Online; coverage can start retroactively to arrival date if you apply on time.
  4. Pay premiums monthly — Missing payments can lead to debt collection and permit issues.
  5. Supplementary insurance — Optional (dental, private room) — not required for students on a tight budget.

Seeing a doctor

  • General practitioner — Register with a practice near home; bring insurance card.
  • Specialists — Often need GP referral unless your model allows direct access.
  • University health service — Vaccinations, sexual health, counselling — often low-cost.
  • Dental — Pay out of pocket or via supplementary insurance.
  • Pharmacy — Many medicines are prescription-only; pharmacists advise on minor issues.

Emergencies

NumberService
144Medical emergency / ambulance
117Police (non-medical)
118Fire brigade
112European emergency (works from mobile)
145Tox Info Suisse — poisoning
1414Rega — air rescue (mountain/alpine; membership or insurance)
  • ER (Notfall) — Go to hospital emergency for serious injury; you pay franchise + share; insurer reimburses eligible costs.
  • Non-urgent — Call your insurer’s telemedicine line or visit a walk-in centre to avoid ER bills.

Mental health and crisis support

  • 143 — Die Dargebotene Hand (24/7 emotional support).
  • 147 — Pro Juventute helpline for children and young people.
  • University counselling — Often free short-term sessions; waiting lists at semester start.
  • Psychiatrist/psychologist — Partially covered if prescribed; supplementary insurance may help.

EU students and EHIC

  • Short tourist visit: EHIC may cover necessary care.
  • Residence in Switzerland: you must join LAMal — cancel duplicate EU insurance if required to avoid double payment.
  • Cross-border commuters — Special rules; not typical for full-time students living in CH.

Next step: bank account and taxes — see Finance and Work guides.

Insurance delay

Over 3 months risks of forced assignment and retroactive sanctions.

Quick reference

LAMal system: regulated private basic insurance obligation. Excellent network of doctors and hospitals; insured costs after deductible.

  • Free choice of cash: compare premium
  • Primary Care Physician + Specialists with Referrals
  • Emergency room
  • Medications: often with a prescription

How healthcare works

Care access

Good for students

Insurance card for each visit. HMO/Telmed models reduce premium but limit choice.

Mandatory insurance

Obligation LAMal

National rule Harder

Exempt only narrow cases; international students almost always in basic regime. Permission linked to coverage.

Mental health

Moderate

Multilingual university services in large cities. Psychotherapy partially reimbursed after deductible; waiting lists.

Student support

Campus

  • Social counseling
  • Accessible Uni sports
  • International associations
Deep dive (optional)

Go deeper

Operational detail and official links—amounts and deadlines change; always confirm on the competent portal before filing or paying.

Mandatory health insurance (KVG / LAMal)

Choosing an insurer

You must enrol within three months of becoming liable; compare deductible (Franchise), premiums, and models (free choice, HMO, Telmed).

FOPH guidance

Legal framework, limited student exemptions, and insured persons’ rights.

Access to care

GPs & specialists

Your policy defines whether you need a gatekeeper phone line or family doctor first.

Pharmacies

Prescription-only medicines and cost sharing after the annual deductible.

Emergencies

144 / 117 / 118 / 112

144 medical rescue; 117 police; 118 fire; 112 European emergency. Mountain/air rescue: 1414 Rega when appropriate.

EHIC

Temporary EU visitors may rely on EHIC; residents need Swiss basic insurance.

Mental health & helplines

Emotional support: 143 (Die Dargebotene Hand); young people: 147 (Pro Juventute). Poisoning emergencies: 145. Life-threatening medical emergencies: 144 or 112.

Note

This block complements the guide with institutional entry points—not legal or tax advice.

Sources · Last verified: 2026-05

  • Health care insurance (official link being updated)
Trusted sources we used for this content

Swiss federal and EU sources: Eurostat, ch.ch, the State Secretariat for Migration, the Federal Tax Administration, and the Federal Chancellery. Many rules are cantonal—check the competent office.