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Our recommended health insurances for foreigners in Switzerland

Updated on July 19, 2024

Switzerland has a high-quality healthcare system, but finding the right health insurance as a foreigner is tough. If you’re new to the country, you legally must be insured within 3 months of your arrival. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the top health insurance providers for foreigners in Switzerland, each with unique benefits. Here’s our top 8 recommendations for 2024, formed by our independent insurance experts:

1. Helsana

Helsana is one of the largest health insurance companies in Switzerland, known for its reliability and extensive coverage. They offer wide support and have a large network of healthcare providers, which enables them to develop attractive insurance offers for a great value.

Why choose Helsana?

  • One of the biggest insurance companies
  • One of the best price-coverage values for a health insurance in Switzerland
  • Clear, comprehensive products with excellent value for money
  • Up to CHF 400 for gym memberships and up to CHF 500 for glasses
  • Alternative medicine with up to 90% coverage
  • Reliable and efficient service
  • Countless special offers in supplementary & ambulant care
Consult me for a Helsana health insurance solution!

2. Swica

Swica focuses on preventive healthcare, offering plans that include wellness programs, preventive care and a focus on families. This approach makes Swica popular among health-conscious expats. Swica also was the first ever insurer to introduce a pharmacy-tele insurance model.

Why choose Swica?

  • Local agencies offer detailed personal consultation
  • High contributions for fitness activities – up to CHF 1’300 per year
  • Full coverage for alternative care
  • Up to 90% for yearly checkups
  • Worldwide elective hospitalization treatments abroad
  • Great tariffs for older clients
  • Great for those who like to stay fit & active!
Consult me for a Swica health insurance solution!

3. Sanitas

Sanitas is known for its wide network and excellent customer service. They offer a variety of plans for individuals, families, and seniors. Their digital tools make managing your health insurance easy with online consultations and straightforward claim submissions.

Why choose Sanitas?

  • Comprehensive coverage options
  • User-friendly digital tools
  • High customer satisfaction
  • Worldwide elective hospitalization treatments abroad
  • Insurer offers personal advisor for those in private and semi-private private hospitalization wards
Consult me for a Sanitas health insurance solution!

4. Concordia

Concordia is great for families and individuals seeking personalized service. They offer various plans to suit different needs and budgets, making them a versatile choice for expats. Customers and their families also benefit from substantial discounts starting from the third child.

Why choose Concordia?

  • Local agencies for a further personal consultation
  • Good cost-effectiveness
  • Wide range of plans
  • Worldwide elective hospitalization treatments abroad
Consult me for a Concordia health insurance solution!

5. Sympany

Sympany offers clear and straightforward health insurance solutions. Their plans are easy to manage and provide great value for money, ideal for expats seeking a hassle-free experience. Sympany puts special focus on customer satisfaction, being Switzerland’s first ever insurer to form a customer advisory council, made up of real everyday clients.

Why choose Sympany?

  • Clear and straightforward plans
  • Great price-coverage in numerous cantons
  • Great value for money
Consult me for a Sympany health insurance solution!

6. Innova

Innova provides tailored health insurance solutions with a focus on customer satisfaction. Their flexible plans are convenient for expats new to Switzerland. Curiously, they’re one of the few that offer special a special supplementary insurance discount for non-smokers.

Why choose Innova?

  • Tailored and flexible plans
  • Offering only the supplementary insurance
  • High customer satisfaction
  • Convenient for newcomers
  • Focuses mainly on German-speaking clients
Consult me for a Innova health insurance solution!

7. Atupri

Atupri is known for its modern approach, with a strong focus on digital solutions. They offer competitive premiums and a range of plans that appeal to younger and tech-savvy expats. Despite this, Atupri still has long, local ties to Swiss history - Atupri originally started in the year 1910 as the SBB’s internal insurance provider. 

Why choose Atupri?

  • Competitive premiums
  • Strong focus on digital solutions
  • Changing plans depending on the age – not easy to understand
Consult me for a Atupri health insurance solution!

8. CSS

CSS is a trusted name in the Swiss health insurance industry, known for its stability and comprehensive service. They offer a broad range of insurance plans to cover all your healthcare needs. The company was founded in Lucerne in the late 19th century, making it one of the oldest health insurers in Switzerland – this long history reflects in the knowledge & service they provide.

Why choose CSS?

  • One of the biggest insurance companies
  • Wide range of interesting products
  • Trusted and stable provider
  • Excellent supplementary insurance options
Consult me for a CSS health insurance solution!

Why picking the right health insurer is important

The costs of healthcare are rising in Switzerland. Both the insurance premiums and the actual health services are getting more expensive. Foreigners are often surprised that basic health insurance won’t cover essentials like dental care or alternative treatments.

The worst-case scenario is that you end up with uncovered healthcare costs in the thousands, and still never received the treatments you wanted. To avoid this and ease the strain on your budget, choosing the right health insurer for your needs is crucial. Your insurance provider can advocate for you, support you in emergencies, and offer insurance packages that uniquely benefit you.

Key points foreigners need to know about health insurance in Switzerland

  • You need to get health insurance within 3 months of arriving in Switzerland. Failing to do so is punished with fines in the form of higher premiums. 
  • Supplementary insurance is essential to have for many services, like coverage for glasses, dental care, gym memberships, check-ups & much more.
  • To apply for supplementary insurance, you need to fill out a general health declaration form – unlike with basic insurance, the insurer may deny your application.
  • Expat Services Switzerland is here to help – we advise you on the best offers suited to your needs, conclude the contract for you & handle all the troublesome paperwork in your name. We consult in EN, DE, and RU.

How expats can find the right health insurance in Switzerland

Navigating the Swiss health insurance system can be challenging for expats, but finding the right plan to meet all your needs is crucial. Within three months of arriving in Switzerland, expats are required to secure compulsory basic health insurance. Failure to do so can result in back payments and fines.

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Best health insurance in Switzerland 2024 for foreigners

For foreigners moving to Switzerland, understanding the health insurance landscape is crucial. This guide will show you how to find the best health insurance available in 2024. The government mandates a basic health insurance plan, but you can also choose additional, private supplementary insurance for better coverage.

Evgeniy Timoshenko

Do you have any questions? Get in touch with me.

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