Get Your Gym Membership Covered by Swiss Insurance
A step-by-step guide to maximizing your fitness benefits and getting significant reimbursement from your health insurance.
The Secret to Getting Your Gym Membership Reimbursed
Did you know that the right Swiss health insurance can cover a significant portion of your annual gym membership costs? With healthcare costs in Switzerland among the highest in the world, taking advantage of fitness benefits can provide substantial savings while encouraging a healthier lifestyle.
This comprehensive guide walks you through the exact process of getting your fitness membership covered by your supplementary health insurance in Switzerland. We'll explore which providers offer the best coverage, the certification requirements, and the step-by-step process for submitting successful claims.
Why This Matters
Significant financial benefits with the right insurance plan
Financial incentive to maintain fitness routine
Get the most from your existing insurance
Step-by-Step Process
Follow these eight steps to successfully get your gym membership covered by your Swiss health insurance.
Check your supplementary insurance coverage
Review your current supplementary insurance (VVG/LCA) policy documents to determine if fitness or gym benefits are already included. Look for terms like 'fitness', 'prevention', 'wellness', or 'health promotion'.
Look for These Terms in Your Policy:
- Fitness (Fitness)
- Prevention (Prävention/Prévention)
- Health Promotion (Gesundheitsförderung/Promotion de la santé)
- Wellness (Wellness)
Identify insurance providers with gym benefits
Research which insurance companies offer the best gym reimbursement. SWICA offers up to 90% of costs (max CHF 500) per year with their COMPLETA FORTE plan, while CSS, Helsana, and Sanitas also provide competitive coverage options.
Choose a certified gym or fitness center
Select a gym that is certified by QualiTop or QualiCert, as most insurers require this certification for reimbursement. These quality certifications ensure the facility meets specific standards required by insurance companies.
About Quality Certifications:
For an insurance company to reimburse gym costs, the fitness center must typically have one of these certifications:
- QualiCert: A Swiss quality certification program specifically for fitness and wellness centers
- QualiTop: A comprehensive quality management system for health-oriented fitness facilities
Most reputable gyms and fitness centers in Switzerland have these certifications. Look for their logos displayed at the entrance or ask the staff.
Verify the membership type requirement
Check which subscription types your insurer covers. Most require either half-year or annual memberships, while some accept quarterly or even monthly memberships depending on your supplementary plan.
Important: Most insurance companies only cover specific membership durations. From the chart provided by QualiCert, many insurers require half-year or annual memberships, while some will accept quarterly or monthly subscriptions depending on your plan.
Join the gym and keep documentation
Sign up for your membership and ensure you receive a detailed receipt that includes the facility name, your personal information, membership dates, and the full amount paid.
Maintain proof of attendance
While not all insurers require attendance tracking, it's good practice to record your visits as some providers may request this information to verify regular use.
Submit your claim correctly
Complete your insurer's reimbursement form, attaching your gym membership receipt and any other required documentation. Submit these documents according to your insurer's guidelines, which may be via app, online portal, or mail.
Required Documentation for Claims:
- Completed reimbursement form (specific to your insurer)
- Original gym membership receipt or contract
- Proof that the gym is QualiTop or QualiCert certified (usually not needed as insurers have a database)
- Documentation showing the membership duration (must match insurer's requirements)
Follow up on your claim
If you haven't received reimbursement within the expected timeframe (typically 2-4 weeks), contact your insurance provider to check the status of your claim.
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Swiss Insurers with the Best Gym Coverage
Compare the top providers offering fitness reimbursement benefits.
| Insurance Provider | Supplementary Plan | Max Annual Benefit | Subscription Type | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SWICA | COMPLETA FORTE | 90% up to CHF 500 | Half-year or annual | QualiTop/QualiCert |
| CSS | Gesundheitskonto | Up to CHF 800 | Monthly, half-year, annual | QualiTop/QualiCert |
| Helsana | SANA/COMPLETA | 75% up to CHF 200 | Half-year, annual, monthly, 10-pack | QualiTop/QualiCert |
| Sanitas | Vital Premium | 80% up to CHF 800 | Various options | QualiTop/QualiCert |
| Groupe Mutuel | Global Solution | 50% up to CHF 200 | Half-year, annual | QualiTop/QualiCert |
* Benefits and requirements may vary. Always check with the specific insurer for current terms.
Data source: QualiCert 2025 overview
Complete List of Swiss Health Insurance Gym Coverage (2025)
Detailed information on all Swiss health insurers offering gym membership benefits.
| Insurance Provider | Required Supplementary Plan | Accepted Memberships | Coverage Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATUPRI |
Diversa Mivita Basic Intense |
|
|
| AXA |
ACTIF COMPLET |
|
|
| CONCORDIA |
NATURA NATURA PLUS |
|
|
| CSS |
Gesundheitskonto (component of supplementary insurance) |
|
|
| EGK | EGK-SUN |
|
|
| Glarner Krankenversicherung |
Zusatz ALLGEMEIN FAMILY FAMILY FLEX PREMIUM |
|
|
| Groupe Mutuel |
GO / Global Solution GX / Global Flex «Option Careflex» GI / Global Classic «Option Plus» SB GA / Krankenpflege EG / Global School |
|
|
| HELSANA |
SANA COMPLETA COMPLETA EXTRA COMPLETA PLUS |
|
|
| ÖKK |
FAMILY FAMILY FLEX OPTIMA PREMIUM PRÄVENTION |
|
|
| rhenusana |
rhenuPLUS Gold rhenuPLUS Platin rhenuPLUS «Lifecycle» |
|
|
| sana24 |
All insured in departments: Ambulant Managed-Care-Zusatzversicherung Ambulant or Basic have right to wellness/fitness checks |
|
|
| SANITAS |
Vital Smart Vital Premium CLASSIC/FAMILY/JUMP NATURA BASIS NATURA KOMFORT |
|
|
| SLKK |
SLKK-QualiCare.basis SLKK-QualiCare.comfort |
|
|
| sodalis |
Zusatzversicherung Sana or Sana Plus + Spitalzusatzversicherung: sodalis allgemein or halbprivat or privat or flex |
|
|
| Sumiswalder |
Kombi+ allgemein Kombi+ halbprivat Kombi+ privat Komplementär |
|
|
| SWICA |
COMPLETA FORTE COMPLETA PRAEVENTA OPTIMA |
|
|
| Sympany |
Allgemeiner Zusatz Privater Zusatz Plus/plus natura Premium/premium natura salto plus kolping (1 year waiting period) praevention light (1 year waiting period) |
|
|
| Visana-Gruppe |
All insured in departments: Ambulant Managed-Care-Zusatzversicherung Ambulant or Basic have right to wellness/fitness checks |
|
|
The above information is based on the QualiCert document for health insurance contributions for 2025.
Remember that for reimbursement, the fitness center must be QualiTop or QualiCert certified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Swiss health insurance covers the most for gym memberships?
SWICA currently offers among the most generous gym coverage in Switzerland, with reimbursements of up to 90% of costs (max CHF 500 per year) through their COMPLETA FORTE plan. Other providers with substantial gym benefits include CSS (up to CHF 800 annually with their health promotion supplementary insurance), Helsana (75% up to CHF 200 per year with SANA), and Sanitas (up to CHF 800 per calendar year with Vital Premium).
Does basic health insurance (KVG/LAMal) cover gym memberships in Switzerland?
No, basic mandatory health insurance (KVG/LAMal) does not cover gym memberships. These benefits are exclusively available through supplementary insurance plans (VVG/LCA), which are optional policies that provide coverage beyond the basic requirements.
Do I need a doctor's prescription for gym reimbursement?
No, most Swiss health insurance providers do not require a doctor's prescription for gym membership reimbursement. Instead, they typically require that the gym or fitness center be certified by QualiTop or QualiCert. The key requirement is having the appropriate supplementary insurance plan that includes fitness benefits.
How do I know if my gym is eligible for insurance reimbursement?
Most Swiss insurers require that the gym or fitness center be certified by QualiTop or QualiCert quality assurance programs. These certifications ensure that the facility meets certain standards. You can usually find this information on the gym's website, at their reception, or by asking staff directly. Many fitness centers prominently display their certification logos.
Can I get Pilates, yoga, or other fitness classes covered by Swiss health insurance?
Yes, many supplementary insurance plans cover a variety of fitness activities beyond traditional gym memberships, including Pilates, yoga, swimming, and specialized fitness classes. However, coverage varies by provider and plan. Some insurers have specific lists of approved activities or may require that classes be conducted at certified facilities.
Have more questions about getting your gym membership covered?
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