What If I Miss the 90-Day Enrollment Deadline?

The 90-day rule

When you move to Switzerland or are otherwise newly subject to the insurance obligation (Versicherungspflicht), you have 90 days to enrol with a KVG health insurer. This deadline runs from the date you take up residence — not from when you receive your residence permit.

If you enrol within 90 days, your coverage is backdated to your arrival date. No gap, no penalty. But if you miss this window, the consequences begin.

Canton assigns an insurer (Zuweisung)

If you do not enrol within 90 days, your canton of residence will assign you to an insurer. This is called Zuweisung. You do not get to choose which insurer, which model, or which franchise — the canton decides for you.

Typically, you will be assigned the standard model with the lowest available franchise (CHF 300). This means higher premiums than you might have chosen on your own.

Late enrollment surcharges

The assigned insurer may impose a surcharge of up to 50% on your monthly premium as a penalty for late enrollment. This surcharge can last for up to 3 years. The exact surcharge depends on how late you are and the insurer's policy.

This is a significant financial penalty. On a monthly premium of CHF 400, a 50% surcharge means you pay CHF 600 per month — CHF 2,400 extra per year, potentially for three years.

Coverage is still backdated

Even with a late enrollment, your coverage is backdated to the date you became subject to the insurance obligation. The Swiss system ensures that no one is left without coverage. However, this also means you owe premiums for the entire period — including the months you were not enrolled.

You may receive a large back-payment bill for several months of premiums at once. This can be a significant financial shock, especially combined with the surcharge.

Administrative complications

Late enrollment creates paperwork headaches. Any medical costs incurred during the gap period need to be retroactively processed. If you paid out of pocket for doctor visits or medications, you will need to submit those invoices to your assigned insurer for reimbursement — subject to your franchise and Selbstbehalt.

How to fix it

If you have missed the deadline, act immediately:

1. Enrol now — contact any KVG insurer and apply. Even though you are late, you can still choose your insurer if you act before the canton assigns one
2. Contact the assigned insurer — if you have already been assigned, contact them to understand your premiums and any surcharges
3. Pay outstanding premiums — settle any backdated premiums as soon as possible to avoid debt collection
4. Switch at the next annual deadline — once enrolled, you can switch to a different insurer at the next 30 November deadline for a change effective 1 January

No gap in coverage

The most important thing to understand: the Swiss system does not allow gaps in coverage. Whether you enrol on time or late, your coverage runs from the day you became obligated. You are never truly uninsured — but being late means you pay more for the same coverage.

Can the surcharge be appealed?

In exceptional circumstances (serious illness, lack of information by authorities, documented hardship), you may be able to negotiate a reduction of the surcharge. Contact your cantonal health authority for guidance. However, the standard position is that the surcharge applies as a deterrent.