When you arrive in Switzerland to study, one of the first administrative tasks on your list is health insurance. Swiss law requires everyone staying for more than three months to be covered, but as an international student, you do not necessarily have to enroll in the standard Swiss public insurance scheme (KVG).
If you have an internationally recognized student health insurance plan, such as Evasan Swiss Studies, you can apply for an exemption from the standard KVG obligation. This guide walks you through the process from start to finish.
What Is a KVG Exemption?
KVG (Krankenversicherungsgesetz) is the Swiss Federal Health Insurance Act that governs compulsory health insurance for everyone living in Switzerland. Under normal circumstances, residents must enroll with a recognized Swiss KVG insurer.
However, the law makes an exception for certain categories of foreign residents, including international students. If you can demonstrate that your existing or newly purchased insurance provides coverage equivalent to Swiss KVG standards, the cantonal authorities can grant you an exemption. This allows you to remain insured under your student plan without paying the significantly higher KVG premiums.
Who Qualifies for the Exemption?
You may qualify for a KVG exemption if you are:
• A non-EU/EFTA student with a recognized international student insurance plan that meets KVG-equivalent standards
• An EU/EFTA student who is non-employed and covered under your home country insurance or EHIC
• A student on a short-term programme of up to three years (with the option to renew for a further three years)
You are not eligible for the exemption if you take up paid employment in Switzerland or if you become a permanent resident. In those cases, standard KVG enrollment becomes mandatory.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply
Step 1: Purchase a Recognized Student Insurance Plan
Before you can apply for an exemption, you need confirmed insurance coverage. Evasan Swiss Studies provides you with a policy document and a confirmation letter that you will use as part of your application.
Make sure your plan is purchased before your three-month deadline. Coverage can start from your chosen date, including retroactively if needed.
Step 2: Register Your Residence in Switzerland
Within 14 days of arriving in Switzerland, you are required to register at your local residents' registration office (Einwohnerkontrolle or Controle des habitants, depending on your canton). During this process, you will typically receive information about the health insurance obligation in your canton.
Step 3: Contact the Cantonal Social Insurance Office
The exemption application is submitted to the social insurance office (Sozialversicherungsanstalt, or SVA) of the canton where you are registered. Each canton manages its own process, and procedures vary.
Most cantons now offer online submission. In some cantons, you submit directly at the residents' registration office when you register your residence.
Step 4: Prepare Your Documents
The standard documents required for the exemption application are:
• Copy of your Swiss residence permit (B permit or L permit)
• Insurance policy confirmation from your insurer (Evasan provides this document)
• Copy of your university enrollment confirmation
• Passport copy
Some cantons may request additional documents. Evasan will inform you of any canton-specific requirements relevant to your situation.
Step 5: Submit and Wait for Confirmation
Processing times vary by canton, from a few weeks to several months. You will receive an official decision letter (the exemption decision) confirming whether your application has been approved.
Keep this document. You will need to present it when visiting healthcare providers, as it confirms your legal insurance status in Switzerland.
The Three-Month Deadline: Why It Matters
You have three months from your date of arrival to either enroll in KVG or apply for an exemption. This deadline is strict.
If you miss it, the cantonal authorities will automatically assign you to a Swiss KVG insurer. You will be required to pay retroactive premiums from your arrival date, at standard KVG rates, which can easily amount to several hundred francs per month. There is no way to reverse this once it has happened.
The simplest way to avoid this: purchase your student insurance plan before or immediately after arriving, and submit the exemption application in your first weeks in Switzerland.
What If My Exemption Application Is Rejected?
Rejection can happen if the cantonal authorities determine that your insurance plan does not meet the KVG-equivalent standard, or if you have submitted incomplete documentation.
Evasan Swiss Studies is recognized across all Swiss cantons as KVG-equivalent. If you receive a rejection, contact us immediately. We will review the decision with you and help you submit any additional information required.
In the rare case where an exemption is permanently denied, you will need to enroll in standard KVG. Evasan can assist you with the transition and provide the documentation your new insurer requires.
Summary: Exemption Checklist
• Purchase your Evasan Swiss Studies plan before the three-month deadline
• Register your residence at the local registration office within 14 days of arrival
• Contact the SVA of your canton to request the exemption application form
• Submit your policy confirmation, residence permit, and enrollment certificate
• Keep your exemption decision letter once received
If you have questions about the exemption process in your specific canton, our team at Evasan is available to help. Contact us at info@evasan.com or call +41 22 929 52 51 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm).