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No health insurance after 3 months in Switzerland: what happens?

After the 3-month deadline, cover only starts on the day you enrol, with no backdating, and a premium surcharge applies if the delay is not excusable. If you do not take out insurance at all, the canton enrols you automatically with an insurer it chooses.

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No cover for the period of delay

If you enrol late, the insurance only takes effect from the date you enrol. Care received before that date is not covered by basic insurance.

The premium surcharge

If the delay is not excusable, the insurer charges a surcharge:

  • between 30 and 50% of the premium, set according to your financial situation;
  • for twice the length of the delay, up to five years: a 4-month delay means 8 months of surcharge;
  • less than 30% if paying it would cause you hardship;
  • no surcharge when social assistance pays the premiums.

The surcharge follows you if you change insurer.

Automatic enrolment by the canton

The cantons make sure the insurance obligation is respected. If you did not take out insurance in time, the authority designated by the canton enrols you automatically: it chooses the insurer, not you.

How to avoid it

Take out insurance as soon as you arrive, without waiting for the end of the deadline: within 3 months, cover is backdated (Health insurance: start date). You are free to choose your insurer; compare premiums on priminfo.admin.ch, the official calculator. CheckSwiss does not recommend any insurer.

Check the formalities and deadlines that apply to you

CheckSwiss keeps only the formalities that apply to you, based on your canton, job, family and vehicle, and works out your deadlines.

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Frequently asked questions

How much is the premium surcharge?

Between 30 and 50% of the premium, depending on your financial situation, for twice the length of the delay, up to five years. It can be under 30% if paying it would cause you hardship.

Is care received during the delay reimbursed?

Not by basic insurance: if you enrol late, cover only starts on the date you enrol.

What happens if I never take out insurance?

The canton enrols you automatically with an insurer it chooses for you.

Is the surcharge always applied?

No: only if the delay is not excusable, and never when social assistance pays the premiums.

Sources

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