Student health insurance in Switzerland

For anyone staying in Switzerland longer than three months health insurance is compulsory.

Students from an EU state who are legally insured in their home country can apply for exemption from this obligation by using the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a provisional certificate issued by  the health insurance company in their home country.

Since the process of exemption from the Swiss obligatory may vary in each municipality/canton, please make sure to check with your community of residence accordingly.  For students living in the Canton of Lucerne detailed information can be found on the website of the WHAT Economy Work Social Compensation Fund Lucerne.

Students from the UK can use their UK Student EHIC or GHIC; further information can be found on the following NHS website.

Students from non-EU-/EFTA countries can be exempt from the national health insurance scheme if they prove that they have an insurance that covers at least the same benefits as the Swiss national health insurance law KVG-LAMal. Please note that in the majority of cases, Swiss authorities do not recognise non-EU insurance policies. Travel insurance taken out in your home country will also not be recognised as health insurance in Switzerland.

There are insurance plans for students that fulfil the criteria of the Swiss national health insurance law KVG-LAMal and are affordable. The following companies offer these plans:

Scorestudies: https://scorestudies.ch/en/

Swisscare: https://swisscare.com/en/home

Representatives of both companies will be present in the university building on Tuesdays before semester start of each semester and will be available to answer questions. Further info on this event will be sent out via e-mail to all new international students.

 

Important to know:

• Even when you take out health insurance with Swisscare / Scorestudies you will have to complete the process of the exemption from the Swiss obligatory and this process may vary in each community/canton, make sure to check the details with your community of residence. For students living in the canton of Lucerne detailed information can be found on the website of the WHAT Economy Work Social Compensation Fund Lucerne.
• The compulsory health insurance does not cover the costs of dental treatment.
• You must take out a policy within the first three months of your stay in Switzerland.
• If you do not complete the process of the application for the exemption from the Swiss obligation to take out health insurance you will be assigned to a regular Swiss health insurance (which is far more costly than the plans offered).

It is the student's responsibility to ensure that they have adequate health insurance for the duration of their studies and that the exemption process is successfully completed.

Personal liability insurance

It is highly recommended to take out personal liability insurance for your stay in Switzerland. This covers any claims brought against you for damage or injury to anothers person's property. This type of insurance is compulsory if you want to rent a room in the student residence.

The insurance company Scorestudies offers a combined health and personal liability insurance, see https://scorestudies.ch/en/