Insurances
Compulsory Health Insurance
AHV (Old Age and Surviving Dependents' Insurance)
Private Liability Insurance
Cycle Insurance
Compulsory Health Insurance
For anyone staying in Switzerland longer than three months, health insurance is compulsory. Students from an EU state who are legally insured in their home country can apply for exemption from this obligation by using the European Health Card or a provisional certificate issued by the health insurance company in your home country. After your arrival in Switzerland, you will be contacted by the health services department of your place of residence. If you should not be contacted, please ask your local authorities about the procedure. If you do not have a provisional certificate or an insurance card, but other proof of health insurance corresponding to Swiss requirements, an exemption from obligatory insurance may be possible. If not, a policy for basic insurance must be taken out at a Swiss health insurance company. Travel insurance taken out in your home country will not be accepted. The students’ Advisory Office (ReBeKo) offers help concerning health insurance matters.
AHV (Old Age and Surviving Dependents' Insurance)
AHV contributions are collected by the Social Security Office of the city of Zurich. Should you have any queries, please contact the Social Insurance Office (SVA) of the Canton of Zurich.
Note: each year that AHV contributions are not paid can result in a significant reduction in later pension benefits (particularly severe in the case of invalidity). The stamp books which students recieved up to 1994 can be submitted to the AHV branch for crediting the contribution stamps.
Private Liability Insurance
This insurance covers damage inflicted by you to other persons. It also covers any loss incurred in the room or flat you are living in. A private liability insurance costs from CHF 100.- to CHF 150.- per year with a limit of indemnity of up to CHF 5 million. Although private liability insurance is not compulsory, we suggest all international students to close an insurance contract.
Cycle Insurance
As of 2012 the compulsory liability insurance for bicycles is abolished.
