Prioritise insurance from arrival
Settling in Switzerland means securing health, housing, vehicle, accident and pension provision in a clear order, before deadlines close.
Yes for LAMal within 3 months
Anyone domiciled in Switzerland must take out insurance. Cross-border workers often have a right of choice to exercise within the same deadline.
Avoid costly oversights
Automatic affiliation, a lease without private liability or a missed right of choice cost more than a clear plan from the first weeks.
Priorities when settling in Switzerland
Health and status first: the first 90 days often create gaps.
- Daily life Liability / household / vehicle Local life
- Critical Health LAMal or cross-border scheme
Only then liability, housing and pension planning.
The first 90 days are decisive
Toute personne qui s’installe en Suisse doit souscrire une assurance-maladie obligatoire LAMal dans les trois mois suivant la prise de domicile. Chaque membre de la famille est assuré individuellement, y compris les enfants.
If affiliation is made within the deadline, cover takes effect retroactively from arrival, and premiums are due from that date. In case of delay, the canton may proceed with automatic affiliation and a premium surcharge may apply.
The useful order of the first 90 days
Starting with health and the lease avoids emergencies. Pension provision is structured just after, when status and income are clear.
LAMal health insurance
La couverture de base est définie par la loi et est identique d’une caisse à l’autre. Ce qui change, ce sont les primes, le canton, la franchise, le modèle et l’inclusion du risque accident. Voir aussi comprendre le système de santé suisse.
Si vous travaillez au moins 8 heures par semaine chez le même employeur, l’accident est généralement couvert via la LAA : vous pouvez alors demander à suspendre l’accident dans la LAMal. Les complémentaires sont facultatives et soumises à questionnaire de santé ; mieux vaut les demander tôt.
Cross-border workers: watch the right of choice
Cross-border workers holding a G permit must in principle be insured from the start of the employment contract. For residents of certain neighbouring countries, notably France, a right of choice allows choosing between the Swiss LAMal system and the home-country system.
This choice must be exercised formally within three months with the competent cantonal authority. In practice it is difficult to change afterwards. You must therefore compare before signing, not after the deadline.
Salaried resident
Choose LAMal quickly, remove accident cover if employer LAA covers it, secure the lease, then analyse occupational pension and 3a.
Cross-border worker
Compare LAMal and the home-country system before exercising the right of choice, then check accident cover, pension provision and taxation.
Self-employed
Organise loss of earnings, accident, pension provision and professional liability yourself: several employee protections do not apply.
Family
Insure each member individually, check child deductibles, useful supplementary covers and protection of the main income.
Housing, car and pension provision
La Private liability n’est pas obligatoire au niveau fédéral, mais elle est presque toujours exigée par les régies. L’assurance ménage protège meubles et effets personnels ; dans certains cantons, une couverture incendie et éléments naturels est obligatoire.
Pour un véhicule, la RC automobile est obligatoire avant les plaques. Selon sa valeur, une casco partielle ou complète peut être utile. Côté revenus, AVS/LAA/LPP s’appliquent pour un salarié ; un indépendant doit organiser davantage de protections. Le pilier 3a et une couverture décès-invalidité deviennent souvent pertinents dès que le revenu se stabilise.
Common pitfalls
Mistakes are rarely visible on arrival day. They appear at the first treatment, when keys are handed over or at automatic affiliation.
Practical checklist for the first weeks
Annoncez-vous à la commune, comparez la LAMal, vérifiez l’accident, souscrivez Private liability et ménage avant les clés, assurez la voiture avant immatriculation, puis analysez LPP, 3a et protection familiale. Coordonnez ensuite santé et prévoyance selon votre statut réel.
We prioritise the right policies from the first weeks
We support you on LAMal, supplementary insurance, private liability, household, car, accident, pension provision and the cross-border right of choice. You save time, avoid oversights and get cover coherent with your family, job and budget.
Complete your settlement
These pages detail the choices that most often structure an arrival in Switzerland.
Prepare my settlement Understand the healthcare system Understand Swiss pension provision