Welcome to Switzerland: all about health insurance for newcomers

SWICA puts you and your health at the centre

More than just insurance: SWICA provides personal and expert support at every stage of your life. From health promotion and dealing with illness to the question of how to live well, even with a limiting health condition: As your healthcare partner, SWICA is always by your side. A range of support services in the field of prevention and health promotion, in medical advice and for people with limiting health conditions ensures that you’ll always feel that you’re in good hands.

Our doctors and medical professionals are there around the clock to help with your health questions. After all, sometimes a new chapter begins out of the blue or in the middle of the night – and it is often in unexpected moments like these that we need special support.  

santé24’s services:

• Medical advice around the clock
• Preventive health advice 
• Support with chronic illnesses
• Mental health advice

Health promotion and preventive healthcare

If you keep active or work on improving your diet or wellbeing, SWICA will pay substantial contributions of up to 1300 francs per year towards these activities*. Whether you take dance classes, play golf or tennis, are into climbing, hit the gym, seek out nutritional advice or take care of yourself through massages, mindfulness coaching or personal training: with more than 100 offers and courses under its Completa Forte, Praevita and Optima supplementary insurance plans, SWICA contributes towards a greater variety of activities than almost any other health insurer.

*How your preventive healthcare contributions are calculated

SWICA covers 90% of the costs under the Completa Forte supplementary insurance plan, up to a maximum of 500 francs per calendar year (up to 300 francs per type of preventive measure). Praevita supplementary insurance covers an additional 50% of the costs up to a maximum of 500 francs per year (up to 300 francs per type of preventive measure). Optima supplementary insurance covers 90% of the costs over and above this amount, up to a maximum of 300 francs per calendar year. This amounts to preventive healthcare contributions of up to 1300 francs per year in total.

Our employees are happy to help you and to provide expert advice. We look forward to hearing from you. 

Whether you want to submit invoices, check your excess or view your current benefit and premium statements at any time, mySWICA pulls together all the key information digitally in one place and can be accessed either from your computer or via an app. This means you have round-the-clock access to your insurance information, allowing you to stay informed and keep track of everything.

People who are new to living in Switzerland are required to have insurance (i.e. register with a health insurer upon moving to Switzerland) from the day they enter the country. They have three months to take out basic insurance. There is no gap in cover for newcomers during those three months. If insurance is taken out at a later date, the insurance cover begins on the day when the insurance application is received. This can result in a gap in cover, and you may have to pay a penalty premium for the delay. 

Complementary medicine, fitness options, vaccinations, dental care, glasses and much more: With our supplementary insurance plans, you can round out your insurance arrangements to suit your specific needs, and receive attractive contributions to health promotion and preventive healthcare measures.

What you need to know: A health declaration is required to take out supplementary insurance. 

Anyone who works more than eight hours a week for the same employer in Switzerland is automatically insured against accidents through their employer. Which hospital ward you are assigned to in the event of an accident depends on the employer’s contract. Anyone who wishes to be treated in a hospital’s private or semi-private ward can take out supplementary insurance.

SWICA offers different ways to save money on your premiums: 

• Basic insurance: You can get attractive discounts on your premiums by opting for an alternative basic insurance plan. 
• Excess: Increasing your excess will reduce your premiums even more.