Exemption

Live in city of Zurich?

1. When you register at the residents' registration office, you receive the following:
   1. confirmation letter that you have registered for the residence permit (this is not your definite residence permit)
   2. letter with information and details about your health insurance. The letter requires you to inform them about your health insurance plan.
2. Apply for the exemption from compulsory health insurance as follows:
   
   1. Prepare scans of the following documents:
      1. registration confirmation from the residents' registration office or your Swiss residence permit (front and back)
      2. your European Health Insurance Card
      3. confirmation of matriculation at ETH
   2. Complete and submit the external pageonline formcall_made -> Exemption from compulsory health insurance -> KVG exemption application -> start
      
      1. "Health insurance" enter "Europen Health insurance card"
      2. No need to enter an "AHV (OASI) number"
      3. "Type of insurance" choose "statutory"
      4. Select your residence permit type (intern. students usually B; exchange students usually L)
         
      5. Choose: "In education without employment in Switzerland"
      6. Leave "Other information" empty if it is not applicable to you
         
      7. Upload the required documents mentioned above
         
      8. Select "Confirmation of data via email" and submit your request.
3. The health authority of the Canton of Zurich (“Gesundheitsdirektion des Kantons Zürich”) will inform you about the decision by email (if you mentioned your email address when you completed the online form!). Please note that it is not possible to predict how the authorities will decide.  

• Read the Downloadsample letters (PDF, 1.7 MB)vertical_align_bottom if you are unsure about the content of a letter!
• Check your email spam folder regularly!
  • It happens that students miss important emails from the Health Department because they landed in their spam folder.

Note: The exemption is only approved if you do not have any income. As soon as you receive a salary (even if it is very low), your insurance coverage is no longer guaranteed and you must get a student insurance package (like non-EU students) or a Swiss KVG insurance.

Live outside the city of Zurich?

Ask about the process to obtain the exemption at the city/village when you apply for your residence permit.

We do not recommend applying for an exemption with a private insurance from your home country. It is highly unlikely that the exemption will be granted (in our experience).
Your health insurance would need to:

1) meet the Swiss legal requirements
2) have the same coverage as a Swiss basic insurance (KVG)
3) be willing to sign and stamp external pageform Acall_made.

Do you live in the city of Zurich?

1. When you register at the residents' registration office, you receive:
   1. confirmation letter that you have registered for the residence permit (this is not your definite residence permit)
   2. letter with information and details about your health insurance. The letter wants you to inform them about your health insurance plan (cf. Downloadsample letters (PDF, 1.7 MB)vertical_align_bottom)
      
2. Prepare scans of the following documents:
   1. registration confirmation from the residents' registration office or your Swiss residence permit (front and back)
   2. confirmation of matriculation at ETH
   3. external pageForm Acall_made, signed and stamped by your insurance company
   4. your currently valid insurance policy
3. Complete and submit the external pageonline formcall_made
   -> Exemption from compulsory health insurance -> KVG exemption application -> start
   1. "Health insurance" enter "the name of your private health insurance company"
   2. No need to enter an "AHV (OASI) number"
   3. "Type of insurance" choose "private"
   4. Select your residence permit type (intern. students usually B; exchange students usually L)
   5. Choose: "In education without employment in Switzerland"
   6. Leave "Other information" empty if it is not applicable to you
   7. Upload the required documents mentioned above
   8. Select "Confirmation of data via email" and submit your request.        
4. The Department of Health of the Canton of Zurich will inform you of the decision by e-​mail (attachment). Give your e-​mail address when filling out the online form. Please note that it is not possible to predict how the authorities will decide.

Live outside the city of Zurich?

Ask about the process at the city/village when you apply for your residence permit.

In case of Rejection

You must act immediately and purchase a health insurance for international students.

Refer to the Downloadsample letters (PDF, 1.7 MB)vertical_align_bottom if you are unsure about the content of the letters you receive.

Check your email spam folder regularly!
It happens that students miss important emails from the Health Department because they landed in their spam folder.

For other cantons, you find the responsible insitution on the external pagewebsite of the FOPHcall_made under "Documents > Cantonal institutions authorised to grant exemption from compulsory health-insurance". Please be aware of the deadlines and processes.