Swica vs Helsana comparison for expats in Switzerland

Choosing Between Swica and Helsana? We Help You Find What's Right for You.

Independent, FINMA-certified advice for expats — free, unbiased, and 100% in English.

Free, independent, and FINMA-certified advice — no obligations.

Making the Right Choice Isn't Easy

Choosing between Swica and Helsana isn't simple. Prices, benefits, and acceptance rules differ — and what's best for one person may not be for another.

We've helped hundreds of expats find which insurer fits their lifestyle, budget, and long-term plans.

Here's how they compare — and why personal advice matters more than price.

Before deciding, let's look at the essentials side-by-side.

Swica vs Helsana — At a Glance

Both are reputable insurers. The better choice depends on your profile, canton, and coverage goals.

Category Swica Helsana
Founded 1992 1899
Headquarters Winterthur Dübendorf
Clients ~1.5M ~2.2M
Languages DE, FR, IT, EN DE, FR, IT, EN
Strengths Wellness/gym rebate (up to CHF 1,300/year), high satisfaction Helsana+ app, fast reimbursements, broad family coverage
Limitations Slightly higher premiums Strict supplementary acceptance
Supplementary Plans Completa Forte, Optima, Privata Completa, Sana, Top, Primeo
Premium Trend 2026 +5.1% +5.2%
Ideal for Active expats, fitness-oriented families Families, digital users
English Support ✅ Good ✅ Moderate

Numbers only tell part of the story — what really matters is how each insurer fits you.

Which Insurer Is Right for Your Situation?

There's no single "best" insurer — it depends on who you are, how long you'll stay, what lifestyle you live, and how you want to be covered.

That's why we review every client's situation individually before recommending Swica, Helsana, or another provider.

Choose your situation

Every situation needs a different insurance approach.
Here's how we guide you depending on your case:

🏠 New in Switzerland

You need to register for Swiss health insurance within 90 days — but what's best depends on how long you'll stay.

Swica offers flexible models if you're unsure about your duration, while Helsana provides strong family coverage and digital support for long-term residents.

We'll help you balance setup simplicity with future flexibility, so your first plan fits your real life in Switzerland.

We'll help you evaluate all this based on your age, plans, and lifestyle.

These examples show why a tailored review always beats a generic online calculator.

Every factor — age, canton, stay duration, health history, and lifestyle — affects what's truly right for you.

That's what our free consultation is for — we analyze your full picture and find the insurer that fits.

Our consultation goes beyond comparing prices — we analyze your profile, age, canton, and health situation to recommend the optimal insurer and plan combination.

Every year, we analyze the real differences for hundreds of expats — here's what our expert says.

Expert Insight

Robert Kolar, FINMA-certified Insurance Broker
"Choosing between Swica and Helsana isn't about who's cheaper — it's about aligning your coverage with your lifestyle, age, and long-term goals."

— Robert Kolar

FINMA-certified Insurance Broker

20+ years experience

Speaks English, German & French

Every consultation follows the same transparent process.

How It Works

Understand exactly what happens when you book a consultation.

1

30–60 min consultation

We listen to your goals, canton, and health situation.

2

We send both quotes

Swica & Helsana + side-by-side comparison.

3

Personal recommendation

You decide with confidence.

4

We set up everything

Forms, submission, and yearly updates.

Completely free — we're paid equally by either insurer, never by the client.

You don't just get quotes — you get clarity, protection, and long-term support.

What We Help You Solve

Truly independent advice

We're licensed, neutral, and only focused on what's best for you.

Personalized assessment

Age, canton, and health all matter; we factor in every detail before recommending.

Pre-check for pre-existing conditions

Avoid rejection by applying with the right insurer from the start.

Exclusive broker group discounts

Access lower rates and benefits not available when applying directly.

Continuous yearly check-ups

We monitor new premiums and help you switch easily if a better deal appears.

Always reachable

English-speaking support, even outside regular office hours.

*Free, independent, and fully compliant with Swiss FINMA regulations.

Every year, hundreds of expats rely on our independent comparisons — here's what they say.

What Our Clients Say

★★★★★ Rated 4.9 / 5 by expats across Switzerland

Real experiences from people who got independent insurance advice.

"Robert was an excellent assistant. He introduced me to the complex health system in Switzerland and made sure I took the best decision, providing information and answering all my questions."

German Barquero

Google Review

Verified Client

"I had great experience with expat-savvy, receiving very helpful, professional advice tailored to my personal situation. Robert has demonstrated his in-depth knowledge of the field."

Rebeka Johnson

Google Review

Verified Client

"Robert's advice was very helpful in choosing the right health insurance package and getting over the hurdles of pre-existing conditions. He found me a much better deal."

Martin Walsh

Google Review

Verified Client

See all reviews on Google

That's why every good decision starts with a short consultation — no guessing, just clarity.

Find Out Which Insurer Fits You Best

Get independent, FINMA-certified advice — completely free and in English.

Fully independent — no sales pressure, just clarity and honest guidance.

Common Questions About Swica vs Helsana

Can I switch between Swica and Helsana anytime?
You can switch basic insurance annually by submitting cancellation by 30 November for the following year. Supplementary insurance requires a separate health questionnaire and acceptance. We help you navigate the process strategically to maximize approval chances and manage all deadlines.

How long does the comparison process take?
The consultation takes 30-60 minutes. We listen to your goals, canton, and health situation, then send both quotes (Swica & Helsana) with a side-by-side comparison within 24 hours. You decide with confidence, and we handle all forms and submissions.

What if I have pre-existing conditions?
Basic insurance must accept everyone regardless of health. For supplementary insurance, both Swica and Helsana conduct health checks and may exclude conditions or load premiums. We help structure applications strategically, leverage group discounts, and improve your acceptance odds.

Is the consultation really free?
Yes, 100% free. We're FINMA-certified brokers paid equally by either insurer, so our advice is completely independent. No hidden fees, no sales pressure — just clear, personalized guidance for your peace of mind.

Can I keep my current doctor if I switch?
For basic insurance with standard models, yes — you can keep any licensed doctor in Switzerland. For HMO or GP models, you choose from a network. For supplementary hospital insurance, specific hospitals may apply. We explain all options clearly during consultation.

Does Swica really reimburse CHF 1,300 for gyms?
Yes, with Swica's Completa Forte or Optima supplementary plans, you can receive up to CHF 1,300 per year for fitness memberships, yoga, swimming, and wellness activities. Helsana also offers wellness rewards through the Helsana+ App. We help you claim all benefits fully.

What if I'm planning to stay only a few months or a year?
For short stays, you still need basic Swiss health insurance within 90 days. We recommend cost-effective basic models with higher deductibles (CHF 2,500) to minimize premiums. Supplementary insurance may not make sense for short-term stays. We help you choose the most economical option for your stay duration.