Health Insurance
Please note that the information presented here is only intended as guidance. It is not legally binding and does not replace the official information provided by the Swiss government.
In Switzerland, health insurance is compulsory and is not covered by the employer. Any person who moves to Switzerland has three months to take out health insurance.
Information from the Swiss government
Exemptions to take out Swiss insurance can be requested in some circumstances, which are described in the Swiss Law (see Art. 2 in French or German). You may contact Fribourg’s Public Health Office to determine whether you qualify for an exemption (contact form in French or German).
If you are an EU/EFTA national, bring your European Health Card. Please inform your healthcare provider prior to your stay to ensure you will be adequately covered in Switzerland.
If you do not qualify for an exemption, you will need to choose and pay for your own Swiss health insurance. Premiums and deductibles can be adapted to your needs and will determine your monthly costs.
Depending on your healthcare plan, you may need to find a primary care provider (called médecin de famille / Hausarzt). Your insurance company will provide you with a list of general practitioners they work with. It will then be your responsibility to call their practice and make an appointment (note that physicians are often overwhelmed with patients, so you may have to call a few practices before finding one that still has availabilities).
Dental care is not included in healthcare plans but can be added to your basic coverage as a complementary benefit.
The following websites will help you compare the various options available:
Priminfo (in French, German, or Italian)
Complementary insurance
Complementary benefits and premiums are not compulsory but may be added to the basic package according to your needs.
Accident Insurance
- If you work less than 8hrs/week, you must add accident coverage to your basic coverage.
- If you work more than 8hrs/week, your employer covers professional and non-professional accidents.
Personal Liability and Household Insurance
May be required if you want to rent an apartment or according to the nature of your research at Unifr.