Students from the EU/EFTA/UK undergoing education or training in Switzerland are not required to take out Swiss health insurance, provided that they are not working and thus remain insured under the social security system of their home country. However, if you start working, you are required to take out Swiss health insurance (place-of-work principle). 

Students who have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC, see picture below) or a private health insurance from EU/EFTA/UK must apply for exemption from Swiss compulsory health insurance as soon as they arrive in Switzerland. The application should be made to the responsible cantonal authority. For more information on the application, please see the section Application for exemption of Swiss compulsory Health Insurance.

Check in advance whether your European/UK health insurance covers your stay in Switzerland or not. It is also possible to take out a Swiss (private) health insurance once you are in Switzerland - there are priceworthy offers for international students which are accepted by the Swiss law (e.g. Swisscare, Coverio etc.). Find more details under "Swisscare, Scorestudies or Coverio". If you need help, we can give you further information during the Get Started in Lucerne - Workshops.

Students from a country outside EU/EFTA/UK undergoing education or training in Switzerland can apply for exemption from Swiss compulsory health insurance, provided that they have private health insurance offering cover equivalent to that of a Swiss health insurer. The application should be made to the responsible cantonal authority. For more information on the application, please see the section Application for exemption of Swiss compulsory Health Insurance.

Note: The home health insurance needs to confirm that they offer the same services as a Swiss health insurance and that they cover the same costs as specified by the Swiss Federal Law on Health Insurance (KVG). Some health insurances refuse to sign this confirmation. If your foreign insurer refuses to sign and stamp the requested form, you'll have to take out a health insurance accepted by the Swiss law.

Check in advance whether your insurance covers your stay in Switzerland or not. It is also possible to take out a Swiss (private) health insurance - there are priceworthy offers for international students which are accepted by the Swiss law (e.g. Swisscare, Coverio etc.). Please find more information below under "Swisscare, Scorestudies or Coverio". If you need help, we can give you further information during the Get Started in Lucerne - Workshops.

Every resident in Switzerland has to have health insurance, no matter of the person’s nationality. Students with health insurance from a European/EFTA country or the UK usually fulfill the requirements given by the Swiss law.
Students from a non-European country, who have health insurance from their home country – which covers them during their stay in Switzerland – can apply for an exemption from the insurance requirement according to the KVG. The home health insurance needs to confirm that they offer the same services and cover the same costs as a Swiss health insurance. Some health insurances refuse to sign this confirmation or they don't cover the same costs as a Swiss health insurer.
Those students have to conclude a new contract with a Swiss health insurance or a health insurance accepted by the Swiss law. If this is the case or you do not have health insurance which covers you during your stay in Switzerland, we recommend Swisscare, Scorestudies or Coverio for approx. CHF 80 per month. Find more information about their services on their websites and in the presentations in the section "Presentations".