Healthcare insurance Switzerland 

Everyone living in Switzerland has to take out Swiss health insurance. This insurance covers medical expenses and is regulated through the Swiss healthcare system, the Grundversicherung. The system resembles the Dutch healthcare system and is known for its high quality of care. In some cases, for example, if you’re a student, you can go to the canton and apply for an exemption. So you can be certain that you’re not double insured.

In Switzerland, taking out Grundversicherung (basic health insurance) is compulsory. All insurers provide the same cover. Children under 18 pay no premium. But once you turn 18, you start paying premiums and a mandatory own risk excess applies. Prices can vary considerably per insurer. You choose your own healthcare insurer in the canton where you live. The premium depends on your town of residence, your age, your chosen level of own risk excess and the type of insurance you want. Every insurer is required by law to accept you for basic health insurance.

You can also take out supplementary insurance. Pay close attention to what’s covered by the supplementary insurance, as there are large  differences between insurers. The insurer has the right to reject your application.

If you work at least 8 hours a week, your employer will in many cases insure you for personal accidents. If you work less than 8 hours a week, you’ll have to arrange additional personal accident insurance yourself. If your employer doesn’t have personal accident insurance, you’re obliged to take out personal accident insurance yourself.

If you’re employed as a foreigner or have your own business, and pay taxes and social contributions in Switzerland, you’re entitled to public healthcare services via Swiss healthcare insurance. If you receive a Dutch state pension (AOW) or social security benefit in the Netherlands and you live in Switzerland, please contact the CAK. 

If you’re only staying in Switzerland temporarily, for example, on holiday, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles you to necessary medical care according to the applicable rules and rates. You can apply for an EHIC via your Dutch health insurer. It’s also a good idea to take out travel insurance with medical cover. 

If you’re moving to Switzerland, you’re legally obliged to take out Swiss healthcare insurance. You have to register with the municipality where you’re going to live within two weeks and take out health insurance within three months. This insurance must start on the day you start living in Switzerland. In some cases, you don’t need to take out insurance, but the rules vary per canton. If you want to apply for exemption, ask the canton where you’re going to live. 

Basic health insurance from your Swiss grundversicherung covers many important medical expenses, including visits to the doctor, emergency care, prescriptions, vaccinations and sometimes alternative therapies. The government determines which costs are covered. 

Everyone over 18 years of age with Swiss healthcare insurance has a compulsory own risk excess of 300 CHF (approx. €280). If you want to lower your premium, you can voluntarily increase your own risk excess to around 2,500 CHF (approx. €2,677). Even after your medical costs have exceeded you own risk excess, you may still need to pay an additional personal contribution for some treatments.

If you remain registered in the Netherlands, your Dutch national health insurance will cover emergency care anywhere in the world up to a maximum of the cost in the Netherlands. Dutch national health insurance generally doesn’t reimburse the cost of repatriation or evacuation in the case of illness or an accident.  If you’re no longer registered in the Netherlands, you’re no longer entitled to Dutch national health insurance and you must arrange your own insurance.  

Healthcare in Switzerland can be quite different to what you’re used to in the Netherlands. Not every country has national health insurance, there may be strict rules and waiting times may apply. Healthcare costs can also be much higher than in the Netherlands. Without proper cover, this can leave you with unexpectedly high bills. 

With OOM, you don't have to worry. We’ll make sure everything is properly taken care of. 

We’re here for people with extraordinary stories, who want to be well insured. We always offer a solution that will suit your situation during your stay in Switzerland. 

Our healthcare insurance gives you certainty when Dutch national health insurance no longer applies or doesn’t provide sufficient cover. Your OOM insurance can also serve as a supplement to local insurance in Switzerland. Providing you with proper cover for costs outside your local policy. This is especially important in a country where the rules are different to in the Netherlands, or healthcare costs can be unexpectedly high. 

With OOM Healthcare insurance you can: 

• Insure yourself while staying abroad: If your Dutch national health insurance expires and you can’t or don’t want to use the local healthcare system, our international healthcare insurance provides you with the certainty you’re looking for
• Insure yourself while you wait for your local insurance to come through
• Get additional insurance if your Dutch national health insurance or local public insurance are not enough

OOM's insurance is for anyone who wants to be properly insured in Switzerland. Whether you’re only staying abroad temporarily or permanently emigrating. Our solutions suit different situations, such as: 

• Expats and entrepreneurs going to Switzerland for work, or who need insurance to be able to register locally
• Dutch nationals who do not have, or who are no longer entitled to Dutch national health insurance 
• Students and travellers temporarily staying in Switzerland
• Emigrants permanently settling in Switzerland
• Backpackers or global travellers who want to avoid unexpected costs during their adventure in Switzerland

OOM provides worldwide cover and helps you avoid unexpected bills. This is reassuring in a country where healthcare is regulated differently than in the Netherlands. 

Choosing OOM means choosing certainty that travels with you. Wherever you are in the world:

• Worldwide cover: Including if you visit the Netherlands or travel while living abroad
• Always available: Our Assistance Centre is available 24/7
• Tailor-made: You choose the cover that best suits your situation
• Extra certainty: Supplement your insurance easily with additional options, such as household contents, personal accident or liability insurance

With OOM you can arrange your own healthcare insurance quickly and effectively. Helping you focus on your plans in Switzerland, without unexpected worries.

Do you want to start your adventure without worry? You can calculate your premium easily online and apply for your insurance immediately.  

If you’ve any questions, our team will be happy to help you.

Switzerland is currently safe to travel to and stay in. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (only in Dutch) assigns the country the color code green, which means there are no special security risks. There are no current natural disasters or geopolitical situations affecting the medical infrastructure. Whether you are going to work, study, or emigrate for a longer period: Switzerland offers a stable foundation.