Swiss basic health insurance (KVG) is mandatory within 3 months of arrival. In 2026, 19–25-year-olds pay CHF 323 per month on average (CHF 213–436 depending on canton). EU/EFTA students with an EHIC and non-EU students with an approved student plan (from about CHF 38/month) can be exempted.
Benefits are set by federal law and identical at every insurer (e.g. Assura, Concordia, CSS, Helsana, KPT, Sanitas, SWICA); only premium, service and models differ. Insurers must accept everyone. Compare on priminfo.admin.ch.
KVG-equivalent cover for illness and accidents; 10% co-payment up to CHF 700 per year; deductibles CHF 300–2,500. Swisscare forwards the exemption request to the cantonal authority.
Insured by APRIL International. Basic is KVG-equivalent; Essential from CHF 64 and Premium from CHF 119/month, the latter with worldwide, dental and optical cover.
International student plan used for an exemption; 10% co-payment; deductibles CHF 500, 1,500 or 2,500 (ETH Zurich list).
Student plan from a large Swiss insurer; deductibles CHF 0, 100 or 500 and no additional 10% cost contribution (ETH Zurich list).
You stay insured in your home country's statutory system and file an exemption request within 3 months. Once you work in Switzerland, you must take Swiss basic insurance.
| Item | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Swiss basic insurance (KVG), age 19–25 | CHF 213–436/month | 2026 canton averages (BAG): CHF 323.40 nationally, CHF 213.40 in Appenzell Innerrhoden, CHF 435.80 in Geneva. For 2027 the national average rises to CHF 338.80. |
| International student plan (with exemption) | From about CHF 38/month | Swisscare HMIE CHF 38–115, coverio CHF 38–97 (up to 26), ScoreStudies Basic from CHF 37; Academic Care CHF 230–255 at age 19–25. |
| Deductible and co-payment (KVG) | CHF 300–2,500/year + 10% | You choose a deductible of CHF 300, 500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000 or 2,500. After it, you pay 10% of costs up to CHF 700 per year. |
| Housing (Lausanne) | CHF 900/month | EPFL budget for foreign students; room prices in Zurich and Geneva are similar or higher. |
| Food | CHF 600/month | EPFL budget for foreign students. |
| Total budget, foreign student at EPFL | CHF 2,107/month | Excluding tuition; includes housing, food, a CHF 113–120 student health plan, CHF 60 transport and other costs. The canton of Zurich's immigration office puts the minimum at CHF 1,750/month. |
| Tuition at ETH Zurich and EPFL | CHF 730 or 2,190/semester | CHF 2,190 for foreign students who started in autumn 2025 or later. Other universities set their own fees. |
Swiss basic health insurance (KVG) cost young adults aged 19–25 CHF 323.40 per month on average in 2026, according to the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG). The canton makes the biggest difference: from CHF 213.40 in Appenzell Innerrhoden to CHF 435.80 in Geneva. For 2027 the national average rises to CHF 338.80 (+4.8%). Students who are granted an exemption can use international student plans from about CHF 38 per month.
| Option | Monthly premium | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Swiss basic insurance, age 19–25 — national average 2026 | CHF 323.40 | Average actually paid, all deductibles and models |
| Swiss basic insurance — cheapest canton (Appenzell Innerrhoden) | CHF 213.40 | 2026 canton average, age 19–25 |
| Swiss basic insurance — most expensive canton (Geneva) | CHF 435.80 | 2026 canton average, age 19–25 |
| Swisscare HMIE (students up to 31) | CHF 38–115 | Needs an approved exemption |
| ScoreStudies Basic | From CHF 37 | Needs an approved exemption |
| coverio (up to 26) | CHF 38–97 | Needs an approved exemption |
| Academic Care, Groupe Mutuel (19–25) | CHF 230–255 | No 10% co-payment |
Check the exact premiums for your municipality on priminfo.admin.ch (the federal comparison site) or start with our Insurance Finder quiz.
Yes — everyone who lives in Switzerland for more than 3 months must be insured, including international students. You have 3 months after arrival to take out basic insurance or obtain an exemption. If you miss the deadline, the canton assigns you to an insurer.
Switzerland has no state health insurer. Basic insurance (KVG/LAMal) is sold by private insurers under federal law, so the benefits are identical everywhere. International student plans are a cheaper alternative, but only with an exemption from the canton.
| Criterion | Swiss basic insurance (KVG) | International student plan (with exemption) |
|---|---|---|
| Who can use it | Everyone | Students with an exemption approved by the canton |
| Monthly premium | Average CHF 323.40 at age 19–25 (2026) | From about CHF 37–38 |
| Benefits | Set by federal law, identical at every insurer | Must be equivalent to KVG; details differ by plan |
| Deductible and co-payment | CHF 300–2,500 + 10% up to CHF 700/year | Depends on the plan |
| Duration | Unlimited | Exemption for 3 years, extendable by 3 |
| Changing insurer | Once a year (notice by 30 November) | According to the plan’s terms |
| Dental | Only after accidents or severe illness | Depends on the plan |
Student recommendation: if you qualify, an international student plan with an approved exemption is usually the cheapest legal option. If you work in Switzerland or stay long-term, take Swiss basic insurance and lower the premium with a higher deductible and a doctor model.
Read more: How to choose health insurance as an international student.
Swiss basic insurance (KVG) covers a federally defined package:
Not covered (supplementary insurance or out-of-pocket): routine dental care, glasses and contact lenses for adults, cosmetic surgery, private or semi-private hospital rooms, most complementary medicine not provided by doctors.
EU/EFTA/UK students who do not work in Switzerland remain insured in their home country’s statutory system and use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). To avoid being assigned to a Swiss insurer, you normally file an exemption request with the canton.
How to apply:
EHIC limitations in Switzerland:
Non-EU students have two legal options: Swiss basic insurance, or an international student plan with an exemption. Decide within 3 months of arrival.
Step-by-step:
The insurance rules are the same at every university — the canton decides on exemptions. What differs is the premium level where you live. The table shows the average basic insurance premium for 19–25-year-olds in the university’s canton:
| University | Canton | Average premium age 19–25, 2026 | Announced for 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETH Zurich | Zurich | CHF 317.20/month | CHF 333.80/month |
| EPFL | Vaud | CHF 371.10/month | CHF 382.10/month |
| University of Zurich (UZH) | Zurich | CHF 317.20/month | CHF 333.80/month |
| University of Geneva (UNIGE) | Geneva | CHF 435.80/month | CHF 453.00/month |
| University of Basel | Basel-Stadt | CHF 392.70/month | CHF 408.50/month |
| University of Bern | Bern | CHF 317.70/month | CHF 336.70/month |
| USI Lugano | Ticino | CHF 404.20/month | CHF 418.40/month |
| University of St. Gallen (HSG) | St. Gallen | CHF 277.00/month | CHF 291.00/month |
For 19–25-year-olds, Geneva’s average premium is about twice as high as Appenzell Innerrhoden’s (CHF 435.80 vs CHF 213.40).
Switzerland is one of the most expensive study destinations in Europe. EPFL publishes this monthly budget for foreign students in Lausanne:
| Item | EPFL estimate (CHF/month) |
|---|---|
| Housing | 900 |
| Food | 600 |
| Health insurance (international student plan) | 113–120 |
| Transport | 60 |
| Study supplies | 100 |
| Residence tax | 37 |
| Radio and TV fee | 30 |
| Personal liability insurance | 10 |
| Other expenses | 250 |
| Total (excluding tuition) | 2,107 |
If you take Swiss basic insurance instead of a student plan, budget the canton’s premium (Vaud average for 19–25: CHF 371.10 in 2026). For a residence permit, the canton of Zurich asks non-EU students for proof of CHF 21,000 per year.
To study in Switzerland for more than 90 days, non-EU/EFTA students need a national (D) visa unless their nationality is visa-exempt. ETH Zurich lists these documents:
Timeline: apply at least 3 months before you plan to enter Switzerland.
Cantonal decision: the cantonal migration office decides on the entry permit, so the required funds and documents vary by canton.
1. Missing the 3-month deadline. Insurance taken out later only starts on the day you join, and an unexcused delay brings a premium surcharge. Decide on insurance or an exemption in your first weeks.
2. Expecting a student tariff. Basic insurance has no student discount — only the 19–25 age group pays less. From 26, you pay the adult premium (CHF 464.80 on average in 2026).
3. Not comparing across cantons and insurers. Premiums for 19–25-year-olds range from CHF 213.40 to CHF 435.80 depending on the canton, and insurers differ within each canton. Use priminfo.admin.ch before you commit.
4. Forgetting the annual switching deadline. Your notice must reach your basic insurer by 30 November to switch on 1 January. Insurers announce the new premiums by the end of October.
5. Starting a job without checking your insurance. EU/EFTA students who start working in Switzerland must take out Swiss basic insurance. Check your situation with the canton before you sign a contract.
6. Overbuying supplementary insurance. Supplementary insurance (VVG) is optional. Start with basic insurance or an approved student plan and add extras only if you need them.
Next steps: Use our Insurance Finder quiz to narrow down your options, or compare student plans. Considering alternatives? Read our Germany student guide for the GKV comparison, or see our Spain guide for a more affordable European destination. Related reading: How to choose health insurance as an international student.
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