Information for relocating to Switzerland, health insurance

Coming to Switzerland

Moving to a new country is a big step.
Apart from the pleasant anticipation of a new phase of life, moving to another country also involves some hurdles. These will include finding a home, making new contacts and fulfilling all the administrative requirements. Taking out health insurance is one of these requirements. Health insurance is compulsory in Switzerland and, unlike in Germany for example, is not paid for by the employer. SWICA does everything it can to make your "landing" as soft as possible.

Switzerland's happiest customers

In July 2019 Thomas moved from Bremen to Zurich with his wife Beate and their two daughters. Thomas was simply unable to resist the exciting offer to take over as Professor of History at the University of Zurich.

In discussions with the university's HR department, he learns that there is a mandatory insurance requirement in Switzerland. Within the first three months he is required to take out health insurance for himself and his family with a national provider.
The human resources department recommends a number of health insurers to Thomas. In the course of his research, he notices that for years now SWICA has received high ratings for customer satisfaction in independent health insurance surveys.

These awards make a big impression on the newcomer, unfamiliar as he is with the Swiss health insurance system.

Switzerland's best health insurer – SWICA comes out top again in health insurance surveys


Whether with Comparis, bonus.ch or AmPuls – SWICA has received top marks for customer satisfaction compared to other Swiss health insurers.

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SWICA helps you to see the big picture

Thomas finds a variety of insurance models and offers on SWICA’s homepage. However, he and his wife find it difficult to decide which options are best for their family. The range of benefit models in Germany is less comprehensive. Switzerland's dual accident insurance system also differs greatly from the German model.

All insurance solutions at a glance
The right solution with the best value for money – so that you and your family have comprehensive cover.

To the insurance solutions

Beate and Thomas then use the online contact form to request a consultation. Shortly afterwards, a member of SWICA's customer service team calls back and guides the couple step by step through the various offers..

Individual advice
Do you want the best possible insurance cover for yourself and your family? SWICA is always at your side and will be happy to advise you.

Ask for advice

All-round protection with basic and supplementary insurance

After careful consideration, Beate and Thomas opt for FAVORIT TELMED basic insurance cover and COMPLETA TOP supplementary insurance. This provides financial support for complementary medical treatments. They also decide on a DENTA policy for their two girls. This will help them mitigate the high cost of dental treatment.

FAVORIT TELMED – the santé24 telemedicine service is your first point of contact


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COMPLETA TOP – With COMPLETA TOP supplementary insurance you can fill any gaps you may have in your mandatory basic cover.

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Accessible from anywhere – the mySWICA customer portal

Following his first doctor’s appointment Thomas is surprised by how easy it is to get the cost reimbursed. He simply uses the mySWICA app to scan the claim form and send it to SWICA – and that's it. With the help of mySWICA he can view all his important documents – including policies, premium statements and benefit statements – and communicate with the customer service team at any time.

mySWICA-App
Wherever you are, you can use mySWICA app to access a wide range of services.

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santé24 – there for you 24 hours a day to answer all health-related questions

In the meantime the young family has settled in well in Switzerland and spends practically every free minute in the great outdoors. On one particularly hot Sunday afternoon the family is enjoying a picnic by the lake. But as the older girl leaves the water after a refreshing dip in the lake, she steps on a piece of broken glass and cuts the sole of her foot. Should they call a doctor?

Beate immediately calls santé24, SWICA's telemedicine helpline. After describing the wound in detail, she is relieved to find out that no medical examination is required. However, it’s important that the wound is cleaned, disinfected and protected.

santé24
For questions relating to preventive healthcare, illness, accident and maternity, the santé24 telemedicine service is available online and by phone 24 hours a day.

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Even more tips for newcomers

Are you planning to come to live in Switzerland, or have you recently moved to Switzerland? Would you like to find out more about life in Switzerland? Here you will find helpful facts for newcomers, including information about immigration, living in Switzerland, finding somewhere to live, and the Swiss political and legal systems.

Find out more

Personal consultation

Would you like more information on SWICA or a personal consultation? Client Services would be happy to assist. Call us on 0800 80 90 80 or send us a message using the contact form below.

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What our customers have to say.

Theresa Blüder
«I came to Switzerland from Germany in 2017 to join my boyfriend. I signed up with SWICA thanks to positive recommendations. I had the feeling right from the start that SWICA was the right insurer for me. I was offered exactly what I wanted and at a fair price!»
Claudia Esser
«I arrived in Switzerland at the start of 2016. The SWICA customer advisor took me through the entire system in great detail and with enormous patience and explained what I had to look out for as regards insurance and what was right for me. With SWICA I feel that I’m taken seriously, in safe hands and fully supported. Simply wonderful!»
Charilaos Tsarouchas
«The customer support is just great. Always very professional and on the same time very friendly. Any medical consultations I get over phone give me the impression that the people, nurses and doctors involved know well their topic and provide support with a nice human touch. Moreover any time I have some administrative question or request the reply or resolution is prompt, which is rare. SWICA, thanks again for the great customer support, keep on!»
Daniel Gfeller
«Insurance consultants have a reputation for acting in their own interest and talking their customers into buying certain products. With my SWICA advisor, however, I managed to have an open, transparent and friendly conversation that helped me feel confident – the basis for a long-term partnership.»
Denis Harran
«In SWICA, I’ve found the perfect advisor: competent, efficient and always available, whether it’s for providing advice on services, handling administrative matters or settling claims. My whole family is insured with SWICA. My wife and I are very keen to lead a healthy lifestyle, and take advantage of the tips that we get from the Benevita programme regarding our diet and physical activities.»