Which Insurances Are Mandatory in Switzerland?

These Insurances Are Required by Law – Everything You Need to Know

In Switzerland, there’s an insurance policy for practically every risk imaginable. But which ones are you legally required to have? That’s an important question for anyone living or working in Switzerland. Here’s an overview of all mandatory insurances those required by law and what they mean for you.

At a Glance

• Health insurance: Everyone living in Switzerland must take out basic health insurance.

• Accident insurance: If you work at least 8 hours per week for an employer, you’re automatically covered for accidents through your job; everyone else must add accident coverage to their health insurance.

• Motor vehicle liability: If you own a car or motorcycle, you must have motor liability insurance — no policy, no license plate.

• Building insurance: Property owners in most cantons must insure their buildings against fire and natural hazards.

• Dog liability insurance: In many cantons, dog owners must have a personal liability insurance policy that covers their dog.

Important Note

There are also social insurances such as AHV (old-age pension), IV (disability insurance), and ALV (unemployment insurance), which are mandatory for everyone. These are automatically financed through salary deductions or contributions you don’t need to take out your own policy. Below, we focus on the insurances you need to arrange yourself.

Health Insurance – Mandatory for Everyone

Without health insurance, nothing works in Switzerland.

The basic health insurance (compulsory health care insurance under the KVG/LAMal) is required for every resident. This means you must be insured with a health insurance provider no later than three months after moving to Switzerland or after birth. The basic plan covers medical treatment for illness, accidents (if not otherwise insured), and maternity.

Why is it mandatory? Healthcare costs can be extremely high. The legal requirement ensures that no one is left without coverage and that everyone is financially protected in case of illness. The benefits are legally defined and identical across all providers only the premiums differ. You can compare them annually and choose your deductible (“franchise”) to optimize costs.

Tip: Once you work more than 8 hours per week for an employer, you can remove accident coverage from your health insurance to save on premiums because you’ll then be covered under the employer’s accident insurance (see next section).

Accident Insurance – Coverage for Work and Leisure Accidents

Accidents can happen anytime whether it’s a cycling fall or a household mishap. In Switzerland, employees are automatically insured against accidents under the Accident Insurance Act (UVG/LAA).

How are you covered? If you work more than 8 hours per week for the same employer, your employer will register you with an accident insurer. This covers occupational accidents, commuting accidents, and even non-work accidents in your free time. You might notice a small deduction for this on your payslip employers usually pay for occupational accident coverage, while the premium for non-work accidents is typically deducted from your salary.

If you work fewer than 8 hours per week, are self-employed, or currently not working, you must arrange your own accident coverage. In that case, the law requires you to include accident insurance in your health insurance policy usually just a checkbox when signing up. Either way, the goal is the same: you shouldn’t be stuck with the costs in case of injury.

Motor Vehicle Liability – Mandatory for Vehicle Owners

No liability, no license plate! If you want to register a car, motorcycle, or any motor vehicle in Switzerland, you must provide proof of liability insurance. The road traffic office (Strassenverkehrsamt) will only issue your license plates once your insurer sends the confirmation electronically.

What does it cover? Mandatory motor liability insurance covers damage you cause to other people or their property with your vehicle for example, if you scratch another car while parking or cause a rear-end collision. Damage to your own vehicle is not included; for that, you can take out optional partial or full casco coverage.

Liability insurance is essential: it protects victims financially and prevents you from having to pay enormous sums yourself. The minimum coverage required is high (usually several million Swiss francs) to ensure even severe accidents are covered.

Driving without liability insurance is illegal and can result in license revocation in addition to being uninsured. Fortunately, there are many providers, and comparing prices pays off since premiums vary (even though coverage terms are standardized by law).

Building Insurance – Protection for Homeowners (Cantonally Regulated)

Own a house or apartment? Then another important obligation applies: in most Swiss cantons, building insurance for fire and natural hazards is mandatory. This ensures that homes are protected against disasters such as fire, storms, hail, or floods events that could otherwise cause financial ruin.

Who requires it? In many cantons, building insurance is run by a cantonal building insurance office (a public institution). Homeowners in these cantons must insure their property there. Examples include Zurich, Bern, and Lucerne.

There are exceptions: in Geneva, Valais, Ticino, and Appenzell Innerrhoden (the so-called “GUSTAVO” cantons), there’s no public building insurance, so owners can choose private insurers. Freiburg and Jura require fire insurance but allow you to choose your provider.

What it means for you: Check the rules in your canton as soon as you buy property you’ll usually be contacted automatically by the cantonal office. Basic coverage includes fire and natural hazards; optional add-ons like water damage, glass breakage, or vandalism can be insured privately.

Dog Liability Insurance – Mandatory in Many Cantons

Dogs bring joy and responsibility. If you own a dog, many cantons require you to have liability insurance. Specifically, this means personal liability insurance that includes dog ownership coverage protecting you from financial loss if your dog injures someone or damages property.

Where is it mandatory? The requirement varies by canton. Most cantons (e.g., Zurich, Bern, Thurgau, and many others) require dog owners to have coverage, often with a minimum sum insured (e.g., CHF 1 million) to cover serious injuries or damages. Some cantons in central Switzerland do not have this obligation, but even where it’s voluntary, dog liability insurance is strongly recommended one incident could otherwise cost thousands of francs in medical bills or compensation.

Good to know: In many cases, your dog is automatically covered by your personal liability policy. Check your contract or ask your insurer. If not, you can usually add your dog for a small premium or take out a separate dog liability policy.

What You Absolutely Must Insure

Switzerland is a nation of insurances but only a few are truly mandatory for individuals. The cornerstone is health insurance, followed by accident insurance for employees. If you own a vehicle, you can’t avoid motor liability insurance. Property owners must comply with cantonal building insurance rules, and dog owners need liability coverage depending on where they live.

Everything else from household contents to private liability and legal protection insurance is voluntary but often worthwhile. Private liability (for damage you cause to others) and household insurance (for your belongings) are so common that many consider them essential, even though they’re not legally required.

So, ask yourself: can you afford to bear certain risks on your own, or would you rather play it safe? The law only requires the essentials to ensure everyone has basic protection. Beyond that, it’s up to you whether you want to insure against theft, dental costs, or legal disputes.

The Swiss tend to err on the side of being overinsured but better safe than sorry. Insurance may seem tedious, but in an emergency, it can be the difference between an inconvenience and financial disaster.

Take care of the mandatory insurances to stay compliant with the law and think carefully about which optional ones fit your lifestyle. That way, you’ll be well protected in Switzerland and can rest easy knowing you’re covered.