Country guide — Europe
Expat insurance and health insurance in Switzerland
In short
For a French citizen moving to Switzerland, health insurance is mandatory under federal law regardless of status: LAMal applies to anyone resident in Switzerland within 3 months of arrival. There's no 'optional' minimum: basic LAMal is a single legal standard, with an adjustable annual deductible (300 to 2,500 CHF) and a 10% co-payment capped at 700 CHF/year for an adult. Without affiliation within the deadline, the cantonal authority assigns one automatically, with a possible premium surcharge for unexcused delay.
Key figures
- 168,881 French nationals registered with the consular register in 2025 (172,313 in 2024, -1.99%) — the top destination for the French community abroad.
- Life expectancy in 2024: 86.0 years (women), 82.5 years (men) — among the highest in the world.
- Health spending: 11.69% of GDP in 2023 (World Bank).
Local healthcare system
Switzerland has no tax-funded universal social security system like France: the system relies on mandatory private health insurance (LAMal), run by non-profit health insurance funds in competition with each other, supervised by the FOPH. Affiliation is mandatory and individual for every resident, including children. Basic benefits are identical across funds; only the premium and the plan (deductible, family doctor, HMO, telemedicine) vary.
Average monthly premium in 2026: 393.30 CHF across all categories (+4.4% vs 2025), 465.30 CHF for an adult. Optional supplementary insurance (LCA), subject to risk selection, covers private rooms, certain dental care or osteopathy.
Legal and visa obligations
- Universal LAMal obligation: a 3-month deadline after establishing residency to register (Art. 7 OAMal). Retroactive coverage to the arrival date if registered within the deadline; beyond that, a premium surcharge may apply and prior care is at the insured’s expense.
- Automatic assignment: without action within the deadline, the cantonal authority assigns a health fund automatically, with no choice of insurer.
- EU/EFTA citizen: free movement under the AFMP, registration with the municipality within 14 days of arrival, permit L, B or C depending on length of stay.
- Seconded employee: up to 24 months, stay on the French scheme via form A1, exempt from LAMal during secondment.
- Student: subject to LAMal like any resident in principle, unless equivalent coverage is recognised — exact rules vary by canton.
Calculate your deadline
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Cost of some medical procedures
Orders of magnitude from specialised sources, not official fee schedules.
| Procedure | Public sector | Private sector |
|---|---|---|
| GP consultation | — | 100 to 150 CHF |
| Specialist consultation | — | 150 to 350 CHF depending on canton and specialty |
| Ultrasound | — | 50 to 250 CHF |
| Mammogram | — | up to 550 CHF |
| MRI | — | 550 to 1,200 CHF — cantonal/TARMED rates vary |
| CT scan | — | 450 to 650 CHF |
| Hospital emergency visit | — | ≈375 to 625 CHF per visit (national average ≈460 CHF in 2022) — billed per procedure, wide cantonal variation, no single national flat rate |
| Night of hospitalisation (general ward) | — | ≈2,744 CHF/day national average for acute care (OFS, 2024; 2,625 CHF in 2023) — total billed cost, actual daily rate varies widely by canton and facility |
Social security agreements with France
A hybrid status, which sets Switzerland apart from the other country pages on this site:
- 1975 bilateral agreement: still partly applicable (nationals of third countries, certain prior acquired rights).
- EU regulations 883/2004 and 987/2009, applicable via Annex II of the AFMP since 1 April 2012: this framework, not the 1975 agreement, governs most everyday situations.
- Temporary stay: the EHIC covers care as a local insured person would receive; retroactive reimbursement possible via form S3125.
- Long-term move: the LAMal obligation takes over from the EHIC.
- Seconded employee: form A1, stay on the French scheme for up to 24 months (extendable by exemption).
Which insurance for my profile
General matrix — does not recommend any specific product or insurer.
| Profile | Regulatory constraint | Points of attention |
|---|---|---|
| Working holiday visa | Not applicable — AFMP free movement removes the need for any work permit | No France-Switzerland scheme equivalent to a working holiday visa |
| Student | Subject to LAMal in principle unless equivalent coverage applies | Supplementary cover (repatriation, sports, out-of-canton) is worth considering |
| Seconded employee | Stays on the French scheme via form A1 (24 months max) | Exempt from LAMal during this period; expat-adapted supplementary cover is useful |
| Local employee / self-employed | Mandatory LAMal registration within 3 months | Choice of fund, deductible and model; LCA commonly used for private rooms |
| Retiree | Irrevocable choice between LAMal and French health insurance, to be made within 3 months of moving to Switzerland; after that, automatic LAMal assignment | Combined pensions (French and Swiss) cases should be checked individually with the Common Institution under LAMal |
Hospitals and care network
- Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) — leading public reference for French-speaking Switzerland, dedicated international patient service.
- Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) — ranked among the world's best hospitals (Newsweek 2025), partly French-speaking medical staff.
- University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and Hirslanden Clinic — leading references in German-speaking Switzerland for international patients.
Practical steps
- Register with the municipality of residence within 14 days of arrival, before starting work.
- Apply for a residence permit (L, B or C) with the cantonal migration authorities.
- Register with a LAMal health fund within 3 months of establishing residency.
- Seconded employee: request form A1 before departure.
- Register with the roll of French nationals living abroad (Geneva, Zurich or Bern).
- Notify French agencies of your departure (CPAM, CAF, France Travail, pension funds).
Frequently asked questions
Does a French citizen need a visa to move to Switzerland?
No. As an EU citizen, a French national benefits from free movement guaranteed by the AFMP. Registering with the municipality and applying for a residence permit are still required.
Is the EHIC enough to settle in Switzerland long-term?
No. The EHIC only covers temporary stays. Once residency is established, the LAMal obligation applies within 3 months.
What happens if I don't register with a health fund within 3 months?
The cantonal authority assigns a health fund of its choice automatically; a premium surcharge may apply for unexcused delay.
Does a French employee seconded to Switzerland need to register for LAMal?
No, if they hold form A1 confirming they stay on the French scheme for the duration of the secondment (24 months maximum, extendable under conditions).
Do Swiss supplementary plans (LCA) follow the same rules as LAMal?
No. Unlike LAMal, a mandatory legal scheme with no risk selection, LCA plans are private-law contracts: the insurer can refuse an applicant or apply medical exclusions.
Moving to Switzerland? Get a quote
Written by Expavy
Sources
- France Diplomatie — Switzerland, Health
- CLEISS — France-Switzerland social security agreements
- FOPH — 2026 health insurance premiums
- State Secretariat for Migration — EU/EFTA residence permits
- Federal Statistical Office — Life expectancy
- France Diplomatie — Global register of French nationals abroad (2025)
- World Bank — Current health expenditure (% of GDP), Switzerland
- RTS — Radiology costs (MRI, CT) in Switzerland
- CLEISS — Retirees receiving a French pension living in Switzerland
- Medinside — Each emergency admission costs 460 francs (santésuisse, 2022)
- 20 minutes / OFS — 2024 hospital costs: 14,983 francs on average per stay