Integration

Disclaimer:  the information in this section are relevant as of  the 2022 Spring Semester. The ALSL is not responsible for any misinformation past the aforementioned date. 

Accommodation:

Options:

  • A guarantee such as the one proposed by a security service (for example, SwissCaution, FirstCaution, SmartCaution, etc.) can be subscribed instead of making an actual bank deposit which avoids blocking your funds on a bank account.(Precise that the agency will take a small fee per year)
  1.  Important information for non-Swiss residents:

Some estate agencies may require a guarantor in Switzerland in addition to a rental guarantee. This is a person domiciled in Switzerland, who by his signature guarantees payment of rent. In case of non-payment, the estate agency will turn against that person to get the non–rent set.

This is a person domiciled in Switzerland and having an income (in Switzerland or abroad) who, by his signature, guarantees the payment of rents and takes full responsibility regarding the rental lease by signing it. In case of non-payment or other problem, the real estate agency/authority will turn against that person for the required compensation.

(We can add a section about housing insurance : fire …)

References :

  1. Health insurance:

If you live or work in Switzerland, you have to have a health insurance approved in accordance with the Health Insurance Law. It is highly recommended to check the insurance’s coverage as medical and hospital costs in Switzerland are very high.

Swiss or residents (C permit) students:

How to pay medical expenses:
When going to the public hospital, medical bills will be sent directly to your insurance. When going to a medical center of to a private doctor, the medical bill will be sent directly at you place of residence. You can immediately ask for the reimbursementby sending the proof of refunding to your swiss health insurance.
You will have to pay it within 30 days.

Abroad for study purposes:
If you go abroad (for an internship, an exchange period, a study trip, etc…) it is recommend (and it is your responsability) to check the insurance’s coverage (check the coverage deadline abroad) and take out, in addition to the basic coverage, an additional insurance if necessary.Other information regarding travels on this page.

  • Stay in another Canton:
    Swiss or residents (C permit) students: before leaving, check your coverage with your swiss health insurance.Swiss students from abroad with an insurance coverage for foreign students: before leaving, ask the canton of destination (cantonal health insurance office) whether the coverage is valid or not.

 

 

  1. Health insurance exemption for Swiss students from abroad :
    Swiss students from abroad who never lived in Switzerland can obtain an exemption from the obligation LAMal insurance. The procedure is the same as for EU students and non EU students.
  1. EU Students:
  1. How to pay medical expenses:

When going to the public hospital, medical bills will be either  sent directly to the Institution Commune LAMAL or sent to your place of residence (please refer to the next chapter to get the reimbusment).

When going to a medical center or a private doctor, medical bills will be sent to your place of residence.

  • Reimbursement:

You can immediately ask for the reimbursement by sending the following documents to the Institution Commune LAMAL :

  • proof of refunding (care details)
  • copy of the European Health Insurance Card
  • copy of the ID
  • Account number (IBAN)

92.- CHF will be charged by the Institution Commune LAMAL for any period of 30 days of cares, all types of care.
Exemples when 92.- CHF is charged one time in a period of 30 days:

  • I break my leg
  • I break my leg, 3 days after I am sick, 10 days after I have a psychotherapeutic consultation
  • I have a psychotherapeutic consultation
  • I have 3 psychotherapeutic consultation
  • I go to hospital as an outpatient or in emergency

The amount reimbursed will be the invoice’s amount minus the 92.- CHF. If you send the bill to your foreign insurance without going through the Institution Commune LAMAL, the benefits will be reimbursed according to the rates in your country.

Payment

You must pay the medical bill within 30 days.

  1. Abroad for study purposes:
    If you go abroad (for an internship, an exchange period, a study trip, etc…) it is recommend (and it is your responsability) to check the insurance’s coverage (check the coverage deadline abroad) and take out, in addition to the basic coverage, an additional insurance if necessary.Other information regarding travels on this page.
  • Stay in another Canton:
    All persons with the European Insurance Card must, before leaving, ask the canton of destination (cantonal insurance office) whether the coverage is valid or not.

 

  1. Health insurance exemption for EU Students:
    Students from EU countriesare entitled to an exemption from the obligation to use Swiss insurers provided that they observe the following procedure :
  • They must obtain the European Health Insurance Card from their insurer in their home country.
  • The copy of the European Health Insurance Card should then be sent for registration to the OVAM. This office will issue the exemption from taking out Swiss insurance.

Warning:  ask your insurance if all the costs will be covered during your stay in Switzerland.

  1. Non EU Students:
    1. Registration deadline:
      It is mandatory to take out health insurance within three months of the date you take up residence unless you have a foreign health insurance which covers unlimitedly the costs in Switzerland.
  1. Health Insurance Exemption:
    To benefit from an exemption, the medical and accident insurance provided by the foreign company must have an unlimited cover for treatments in Switzerland.

In certain cases students may ask to remain affiliated to a foreign insurance company. To do this, they must send a request to the OVAM.EPFL disclaims all liability for any medical bills incurred by students in breach of insurance terms.

  • How to pay medical expenses:
    When going to the public hospital, medical bills will be sent directly to your insurance.When going to a medical center of to a private doctor, the medical bill will be sent directly at you place of residence.
  • You can immediately ask for the reimbursementby sending the proof of refunding to your swiss insurance.
  • You will have to payit within 30 days.
    1. Abroad for study purposes:
      If you go abroad (for an internship, an exchange period, a study trip, etc…) it is recommend (and it is your responsibility) to check the insurance’s coverage (check the coverage deadline abroad) and take out, in addition to the basic coverage, an additional insurance if necessary.

Other information regarding travels on this page.

  1. Options:
    1. Scorestudies:
      Scorestudies offers student insurance packages for international students at affordable rates. Scorestudies includes higher benefits than the Swiss compulsory health insurance, it is very often on a full refund basis, and no co-payment of 10% is required. In case of emergency, hospitalization, or prescribed medication, you are fully reimbursed by Allianz Care.
    2. Academic Care:
      Academic Care by Groupe Mutuel is a student insurance package for international students at very cheap rates. The cheapest is the monthly premium one for students under 26 which is CHF 90 (with an annual deductible of CHF 500), while for those over 26, it’s CHF 125 (with an annual deductible of CHF 500).
  • Swisscare :
    Swisscare offers an affordable and comprehensive International Student Health Insurance package for foreign students in Switzerland (HMIE), which includes telemedicine services. Monthly premiums for the Essential plan start at CHF 38 for students up to age 31, with an annual deductible of CHF 2,500. For students aged 32 and above, premiums start at CHF 56, with the same annual deductible.

You can get more information on this page.

 

  1. Student Care :
    Student Care offered by SWICA is also an affordable student insurance package for non-Swiss students. Monthly premiums for students under 25 are CHF 91.70 (with an annual deductible of CHF 500), while there are slightly higher prices for students over 25.
  1. Allianz (EPFL 2022) :

e.      Types of health insurance plans

Basic healthcare plan:
Health insurance benefits, also known as compulsory basic healthcare insurance, are precisely defined under the Swiss Federal Health Insurance Act. That is why all health insurers in Switzerland offer the same benefits under basic insurance. The basic healthcare plan assumes the basic costs of treatment in the case of illnesses, accidents, and maternity. Mandatory basic insurance guarantees basic coverage for everyone. However, there are gaps. This plan does not cover every treatment, especially when it comes to individual requirements, which can result in high health costs such as dentistry, prenatal care, travel insurance, and so on.

Supplementary insurance
Supplementary insurance provides a smart complement to basic insurance and helps you close all the gaps of the basic healthcare plan. This type of insurance covers dentistry, alternative medicine, prenatal care, travel insurance, enhanced hospital care, etc. You can benefit from the free selection of doctors and hospitals or entitlement to a private hospital room. This type of insurance is also useful when traveling both in Switzerland and abroad. Wherever you are, the unexpected can always happen, so it is better if you are prepared.

  1. Explanation about the “Franchise” concept.
  1. Residence Permit:
  2. Transportation
  3. Bank account