Students from non-EU/EFTA countries

Students from non-EU countries have two options:

  1. buy a Swiss health insurance for international students;
  2. ask for an exemption from health insurance in case you hold a private insurance at home. Similar requests are usually rejected by the health authorities.

1. Health insurance for international students

Choose among the following options (in alphabetical order):

Enlarged view: Health insurance overview
Student packages: overview. Non-EU students: the exemption is as shown. EU students: enquire with the health authorities whether an exemption is possible.

The health insurance packages for international students do not operate under the Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG), rather according to the "Federal Insurance Contract Act" (VVG) law. Therefore, in case you take one of the packages, you must apply for an "exemption from the Swiss health insurance obligation according to the KVG law".

Note

  • Non-EU students: Exemption as indicated for each insurance.
  • EU students: Check with the health authorities if exemption is possible.  

  • Don't forget to check the SPAM folder from time to time.  

Note:
ETH Zurich does not make any recommendation as to which health insurance company you should choose and has no advantages by listing the products. They are accepted by the Health Department of the Canton of Zurich. The choice of a suitable health insurance is solely up to you.  

2. Students with a private insurance from their home country

Students who have a private insurance from their home country can also apply for an exemption. Please note, however, that it is extremely rare that such exemption requests are approved. We strongly recommend buying a Swiss health insurance for international students from the start.

If you still wish to attempt the exemption from the Swiss health insurance obligation, follow the instructions in the specific section of our webpage.

In case your application for an exemption has been refused by the SVA Zurich, your immediate reaction will be extremely important to avoid being forcefully insured. This can get very expensive!  

Contacts

For BSc, MSc, Joint Master and MAS students

For exchange students

Student Exchange Office
  • incoming.exchange@ethz.ch

ETH Zurich
Raemistr. 101
HG F 23.1
8092 Zurich
Switzerland

Consultation hours

By email appointment