Tool · Health insurance

By when must you take out health insurance?

Anyone taking up residence in Switzerland must take out basic insurance within three months. Enter the date you took up residence — the calculator shows your personal deadline.

When did you take up residence in Switzerland?

Date you took up residence

The day you established your domicile — usually your move-in date.

Enter your residence date to see your deadline.

The calculation runs entirely in your browser. Your date is neither transmitted nor stored.

Also relevant: work out your municipal registration deadline →

The rule

The three-month deadline

The duty to insure is federal law and applies regardless of nationality or permit type.

Mandatory: Every person domiciled in Switzerland must take out basic insurance (mandatory health-care insurance) — for themselves and for each family member individually.
Within three months: The deadline starts on the day you take up residence — or are born — in Switzerland and runs for three months. The calculator counts the matching calendar day three months later.
Backdated cover: Anyone who insures within the deadline is covered retroactively from the day they took up residence — with no insurance gap.
If you are late: Without timely enrolment, the cantonal authority assigns you to an insurer of its own accord. Back-payment of premiums from your residence date and a premium surcharge are possible.

Exceptions

When the deadline does not apply, or differs

Basic insurance is the rule for people domiciled in Switzerland — but narrowly defined exceptions exist. To find out whether one applies to you, contact your cantonal authority.

Posted workers — Anyone posted to Switzerland temporarily by an EU/EFTA employer (A1 certificate) generally remains insured in their home country and is exempt from the KVG.
Cross-border commuters — EU/EFTA cross-border commuters have a right to choose (option right) between Swiss and home-country health insurance — with their own deadlines.
International functions — People with privileges under the Host State Act (international organisations, diplomacy) may be exempt from the duty to insure.

Source & status

Reviewed on 10.06.2026

General information, editorially reviewed — not lawyer-reviewed legal advice. The KVG and its ordinance (KVV) in their version in force, and the information from your cantonal authority, are authoritative.

Legal bases

KVG Art. 3 Abs. 1 · SR 832.10KVV Art. 1 Abs. 1

Illness or an emergency?

Having no insurance is not a reason to put off medical care. In an emergency you are treated regardless of your insurance status.

Help in emergencies

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General information, not individual legal advice.