Blog
What we write when we're not reading contracts.
Insurance insights, relocation guides, and Swiss system explanations — written by the team that reviews these contracts every working day.
Independent advisory
The four traps of Swiss insurance — what we catch every week
The four things we look for in every Swiss insurance review — the age-curve trap, the 3-month deadline, coverage that pays vs fights, and matching coverage.
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Health insurance
Cheapest health insurance Switzerland 2027 — and what it actually saves
Basic insurance is identical at every insurer by law. The cheapest 2027 premium in every canton, what the gap really saves, and the levers that save more.
Health insurance
Swiss health insurance for Americans — what works differently
How Swiss health insurance differs from the US: you buy it yourself, your employer doesn't, the 'franchise' is your deductible, and every insurer must accept you.
3rd pillar & tax
BVG buyback — buying into your Swiss pension
Mid-career arrivals routinely hold CHF 50,000–200,000 of pension buy-in room they don't know about. How the Einkauf works, the tax math, the three rules.
Provider analysis
CSS myFlex — what the contract actually says
An advisor's read of CSS myFlex Eco, Balance and Premium: the annual tier-switch nobody else offers, the dental breadth, and the hospital curve underneath.
3rd pillar & tax
Your first job in Switzerland — the insurance and pension setup
Your first Swiss employment contract changes your insurance overnight: what your employer now covers, what stays yours, and the one decision to make early.
Provider analysis
Helsana COMPLETA and PRIMEO — what the contract actually says
An advisor's read of Helsana COMPLETA (outpatient), PRIMEO (the best-named misunderstanding in Swiss insurance), the hospital tiers and the age curve.
3rd pillar & tax
Retirement planning in Switzerland — for foreign residents
The Swiss system assumes 44 years you don't have. What arriving at 30, 35, or 40 does to your pension math — and the five levers, in order, that close the gap.
Health insurance
Accident insurance Switzerland (UVG/LAA) — who pays, what's covered
Employed 8+ hours a week? Your employer insures your accidents (UVG/LAA); everyone else adds it to health insurance. BU vs NBU, double-paying, 2026 rules.
Health insurance
Swiss health insurance premiums by canton — Zug CHF 325 vs Geneva CHF 611
FOPH 2027: the average adult premium is CHF 324.90 a month in Zug and CHF 610.60 in Geneva. Why cantons differ, the region tables, what to check before moving.
Maternity & family
Family health insurance in Switzerland — every child, their own policy
Children cost CHF 101 a month in Zug to CHF 177 in Geneva for 2027. The household cap, registering your baby before birth, and which insurer fits a family.
Independent advisory
Independent Swiss insurance advisor — what it means
Independent Swiss insurance advisors are FINMA-registered, have no exclusive ties to any insurer, and disclose commission. What that means, how to choose.
Independent advisory
The four traps of Swiss insurance — what we catch every week
The four things we look for in every Swiss insurance review — the age-curve trap, the 3-month deadline, coverage that pays vs fights, and matching coverage.
3rd pillar & tax
VIAC vs frankly vs finpension — the architecture-first read
Most readers compare VIAC, frankly, finpension second. The architecture question — insurance vs banking, accounts, withdrawal — moves the lifetime number.
Provider analysis
SWICA Completa and BestMed — what the contract actually says
SWICA COMPLETA TOP and BestMed, read by an advisor: what they pay, where they fight, and how entry-age pricing changes the lifetime maths.
Independent advisory
Your first Swiss insurance review — 45-minute walkthrough
Process-transparent walkthrough of your first 45-minute Swiss insurance consultation with Expat Savvy. What to bring, who you'll meet, what you get.
Provider analysis
Sanitas Vital, Hospital Liberty, Medical Private — read
Sanitas Vital Smart and Premium, Hospital Liberty and Medical Private, read by an advisor: where the age-banded curve and underwriting become traps.
Health insurance
Swiss insurance for alternative medicine — what's covered
Basic KVG covers five MD-delivered complementary disciplines. Supplementary varies wildly — Concordia, Sympany, and others compared. Advisor's read for 2026.
3rd pillar & tax
Swiss 3rd pillar vs life insurance — when each fits
3a builds tax-advantaged retirement capital. Life insurance pays your dependents. The hybrid wraps both — when it fits, when it doesn't. An advisor's read.
Health insurance
Dental insurance in Switzerland — when it's worth it, when it isn't
Swiss KVG doesn't cover dental. Compare 2026 dental insurance plans for expats — coverage, providers, and expert recommendations.
Health insurance
Swiss insurance gym coverage — when CHF 1,300 pays back
SWICA reimburses up to CHF 1,300/yr for fitness, Helsana+ up to CHF 300, CSS via vouchers. Honest 2026 read on which fitness supplementary fits.
Health insurance
International insurance vs Swiss KVG — when IPMI fits
Most expats arrive with corporate IPMI thinking it replaces Swiss basic insurance. It usually doesn't. The five categories that can opt out, and when IPMI fits.
Health insurance
Swiss health insurance models — Hausarzt, HMO, Telmed, Pharmed
Most expats pick Standard and overpay every year. The 2027 read on KVG models — Hausarzt, HMO, Telmed, Pharmed — and which fits which life.
3rd pillar & tax
Leaving Switzerland — your pension withdrawal guide for 2026
Leaving Switzerland triggers 2nd-pillar and 3a withdrawal-tax decisions that vary by canton, destination treaty, and timing. The advisor's read for 2026.
Health insurance
Mental health services in Switzerland — insurance and English therapists
Mental health for expats in Switzerland: psychotherapy costs (CHF 200/session), insurance coverage rules, and how to find English-speaking therapists.
Maternity & family
Swiss maternity & newborn insurance — the prenatal deadline
How Swiss insurance covers pregnancy and birth, why to apply for your baby's supplementary before birth, and the three-month newborn deadline.
Health insurance
Are you overpaying on Swiss health insurance?
Five levers set your Swiss health insurance bill for 2027: insurer, model, deductible, supplementary tier and family rules. Check yours in minutes.
Health insurance
Pre-existing conditions and Swiss supplementary insurance
Swiss basic insurance accepts everyone. Supplementary doesn't. How the Art. 4 VVG underwriting works, what insurers ask, and the timing that decides coverage.
Health insurance
Swiss hospital insurance — semi-private vs private worldwide
What general ward gives, what Hospital Flex changes, the real difference between Semi-Private and Private at a Swiss clinic. SWICA, Helsana, Sanitas read.
Maternity & family
Swiss family Franchise — the CHF 1,000 cap most expats miss
Swiss law caps cost-sharing for 3+ children at the same insurer at CHF 1,000/year on default Franchise. How the cap works, when raising it backfires.
Health insurance
What changes in Swiss health insurance for 2027
The 2027 mean premium rises 5.0% to CHF 412 a month (FOPH). Most readers panic-switch or do nothing. Both wrong. The calm read, and three levers.
Health insurance
Swiss health insurance cancellation — Nov 30, in writing
Cancel Swiss health insurance for 2027: the letter must arrive by 30 November. What it must contain, registered post, and the supplementary exceptions.
Health insurance
Swiss telemedicine for expats — Telmed and English support
Medgate operates in English. Most Swiss insurers offer Telmed-model basic insurance with 8–15% premium discount. The 2027 read on when telemedicine fits.
Relocation
Zürich vs Zug — choosing where in Switzerland to land
Zurich vs Zug for expats: compare taxes (18% vs 12%), rent, jobs, schools & lifestyle. Data-driven guide to choosing your Swiss relocation destination.
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