New Job in Switzerland? Insurance Checklist (Don't Miss the 90-Day Deadline)

Key Facts — New Job Insurance Checklist

• Health insurance (KVG): Must register within 3 months of arrival or job start — backdated to day 1
• Accident insurance (UVG): Automatic through employer if ≥8h/week — exclude from KVG to save money
• Pension (BVG): Automatic through employer — check your pension certificate
• Household + liability: Not legally required but most landlords demand it
• 3rd pillar: Start immediately for maximum tax savings in year 1

What Your Employer Won’t Tell You

Your Swiss employer handles some insurance automatically (accident, pension). Everything else is on you. And the clock starts ticking from day one.

Most HR departments hand you a welcome folder and assume you’ll figure it out. Some will mention health insurance. Almost none will explain the full picture: which insurances you actually need, how to avoid paying double, or how to set up your finances to save thousands in taxes from year one.

This is the checklist we wish every expat got on their first day.

Week 1–2: Health Insurance (KVG) — The 90-Day Rule

The Deadline

You have 3 months from your start date (or arrival in Switzerland) to register for basic health insurance. But don’t wait — coverage is backdated to day one, meaning:

• If you get sick in week 2 and haven’t registered yet, you’re still covered (retroactively)
• But if you miss the 3-month deadline, you’ll be assigned an insurer by your canton — usually at the highest premium

What to Choose

Three decisions to make:

Decision	Options	Our Recommendation
Insurer	50+ options	Compare premiums for your canton — see comparison
Franchise	CHF 300–2,500	CHF 2,500 if healthy and have savings; CHF 300–1,000 if not — use our calculator
Model	Standard, Telmed, HMO, GP	Telmed for most expats (saves 10–20%, minimal hassle)

Common Mistake

Choosing the first insurer a colleague recommends without comparing. Premium differences can exceed CHF 200/month for identical coverage. A 5-minute comparison can save CHF 2,400/year.

Week 1–2: Accident Insurance (UVG) — Stop Paying Double

What Happens Automatically

If you work ≥8 hours/week, your employer registers you for:

• BU (occupational accident): Paid by employer
• NBU (non-occupational accident): Deducted from your salary

What You Need to Do

Exclude accident coverage from your health insurance. Call your KVG insurer and switch to “ohne Unfall” (without accident).

Savings: CHF 80–150/year

Important: If your partner doesn’t work, they need accident coverage IN their health insurance. Only exclude it for the person who’s employed ≥8h/week.

Full details in our accident insurance guide.

Week 2–4: Understand Your Employer Benefits

Pension (BVG / 2nd Pillar)

Your employer automatically enrolls you in occupational pension insurance. You’ll receive a pension certificate (Vorsorgeausweis) — this is one of the most important financial documents in Switzerland.

Check these numbers:

• Insured salary: Should reflect your gross salary (minus coordination deduction)
• Your contribution rate: Typically 7–9% of insured salary (age-dependent)
• Employer contribution: Must be at least equal to yours (often more)
• Death and disability benefits: What your family receives if something happens

If you had a previous employer in Switzerland: Your old pension fund will contact you about transferring your vested benefits (Freizügigkeitskonto). Make sure this transfer happens — don’t leave money sitting in a vested benefits account earning minimal interest.

If you’re arriving from abroad: You have no existing Swiss pension. Your 2nd pillar starts building from day one. Consider voluntary buy-ins later for tax optimization.

Supplementary Employer Benefits

Some employers offer additional benefits beyond the legal minimum. Check your employment contract and HR portal for:

• Supplementary accident insurance — covers salary above CHF 148,200 and may include private hospital room
• Daily sickness allowance (Krankentaggeld) — not all employers provide the same level
• Group supplementary health insurance — sometimes available at reduced rates through employer
• Mental health support (EAP) — increasingly common, often includes English-speaking counselors

Month 1–2: Supplementary Health Insurance (VVG)

Why Act Early

Unlike basic insurance, supplementary insurers can reject you based on health history. The younger and healthier you are when you apply, the better your chances of acceptance — and the lower your premiums.

Key principle: Apply NOW, even if you’re unsure. It’s much harder to get supplementary insurance at 45 than at 30.

What to Consider

Coverage	What It Does	Priority
Hospital upgrade	Semi-private or private room, choice of doctor	Medium — nice to have
Outpatient supplementary	Alternative medicine, better dental, glasses, gym	High — most expats use these
Travel insurance	Medical coverage abroad beyond KVG limits	High if you travel often
Dental	CHF 1,000–3,000/year for dental work	Medium — depends on your teeth

See what perks you’d get in our insurance perks guide.

Month 1–3: 3rd Pillar (Pillar 3a) — Don’t Miss Year 1

Why Start Immediately

Every franc you contribute to pillar 3a reduces your taxable income. If you start mid-year, you can still contribute up to the full CHF 7,056 for that calendar year.

Example: You start work in March. By contributing CHF 785/month from March to December, you max out your 3a for the year and save CHF 1,500–2,500 in taxes.

If you wait until next year: You’ve permanently lost that year’s tax deduction. There’s no way to “catch up” — each year’s limit is use-it-or-lose-it.

What to Choose

Bank-based solutions (VIAC, Frankly, finpension) over insurance solutions. Lower fees, better returns, more flexibility. See our 3rd pillar provider comparison.

Month 1–3: Household & Liability Insurance

Household Insurance (Hausratversicherung)

Your landlord likely requires this. Even if they don’t, you need it. Covers:

• Your belongings (fire, theft, water damage)
• Liability for damage you cause to others

Cost: CHF 200–500/year

Action: Get a quote within your first month. Most insurers offer online sign-up in 10 minutes.

Full guide: Household Insurance Switzerland

Legal Protection Insurance

Not urgent on day one, but worth having within the first few months. Covers legal disputes with employers, landlords, insurance companies, and more.

Cost: CHF 200–400/year

Why it matters for expats: Navigating Swiss legal disputes in a foreign language and legal system is expensive without coverage. One labor dispute can cost CHF 10,000+ in legal fees.

Details: Legal Protection Insurance Guide

The Complete Checklist

First 2 Weeks

• Register for basic health insurance (KVG) — compare 50+ insurers
• Choose optimal franchise and model
• Exclude accident from KVG (if employed ≥8h/week)
• Review pension certificate from employer

First Month

• Set up household + liability insurance
• Open a 3rd pillar account (VIAC, Frankly, or finpension)
• Start monthly 3a contributions (CHF 588/month)
• Apply for supplementary health insurance

First 3 Months

• Confirm KVG registration is complete (before 90-day deadline)
• Review employer supplementary benefits
• Consider legal protection insurance
• File residence permit documents (connects to insurance obligations)

End of First Year

• Review all premiums before 30 November
• Max out 3rd pillar contribution before 31 December
• Adjust franchise if needed for next year
• Update household insurance if you’ve acquired more belongings

FAQ

Q: I already have health insurance from my home country. Do I still need Swiss KVG? In most cases, yes. Swiss basic health insurance is mandatory for all residents, regardless of existing foreign coverage. Limited exceptions exist for EU/EFTA cross-border workers and some diplomats. Contact your canton’s health authority for your specific situation.

Q: My employer said they’d “handle everything.” Is that enough? Your employer handles accident insurance and pension automatically. They do NOT handle your health insurance, supplementary insurance, household insurance, 3rd pillar, or legal protection. These are all your responsibility.

Q: I’m on a short-term contract (under 3 months). Do I still need Swiss health insurance? If you’re working fewer than 3 months and have equivalent coverage from your home country (with EU/EFTA recognition), you may be exempt. Apply for an exemption with your canton before the deadline — don’t assume you’re exempt.

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• Best Health Insurance Switzerland 2026
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• Accident Insurance: Don’t Pay Double
• 3rd Pillar Providers Compared
• Household Insurance Guide