Information on the obligation to have health insurance in Switzerland
English is not an official language in the canton of Bern. However, because of the large number of English-speaking students who use our services, we have provided information in English on the subject of exemptions for persons in basic and continuing education and training.
Persons studying or training in Switzerland
If you are resident in Switzerland because you are studying or training and you have statutory health insurance in an EU/EFTA state, it is possible that you do not need to have Swiss health insurance. The requirements for this are:
- Your course of studies or training is the main reason for your stay in Switzerland, and you are planning to leave Switzerland after completing the course.
- You do not earn any income in Switzerland (you are not in gainful employment). Please note: earnings from a job or paid internship that you do alongside your course of studies (whether you are working in Switzerland or teleworking from Switzerland for a foreign employer) is regarded as income. This also applies to paid activities in terms of a specialisation or while working on a doctoral thesis.
If you meet all the requirements, then you are also adequately insured in Switzerland under the statutory health insurance of your EU/EFTA home country and do not have to take out compulsory Swiss health insurance in terms of the Swiss Health Insurance Act. Please submit your information using our online tool. If your circumstances change – e.g. if you start a job, you will then be required to have Swiss health insurance. In this case you must contact us.
If you are insured with a private foreign health insurance company or with a health insurance company specialising in insurance for foreign students, you must submit an application for an exemption using our online tool. If you require an extension to the exemption, you must also apply for that using our online tool.
www.be.ch/onlinetoolen (English)
www.be.ch/onlinetool (German)
www.be.ch/onlinetoolfr (French)
What you have to do
Schritt1
Check whether you belong to any of the groups of people who may apply for an exemption.
Information English: Exemption from compulsory health insurance in Switzerland
Schritt2
Choose the relevant form.
Please submit the application to us with all the required documents as quickly as possible.
Forms: Assessment of the obligation to have health insurance/exemption
Schritt3
We will examine your application and notify you within a few weeks as to whether your insurance cover is sufficient and you are entitled to an exemption or whether you have to take our health insurance in Switzerland.