A distinction exists between basic health insurance, which is compulsory, and supplementary health insurance, which is not compulsory and covers other medical costs such as travel medical expenses, alternative medicine costs, private or semi-private hospitalisations, etc. There are several health insurers in the canton of Vaud, choose one freely. The latter has the obligation to accept you for compulsory health insurance, whatever your age and state of health.
 
As an insured person, you will pay a monthly insurance premium which does not depend on your income, but which varies according to the amount of your deductible. However, depending on your income and the size of your household, you may be eligible for a subsidy (see below). The deductible is part of your medical expenses that you will have to pay in addition to the premiums. Depending on the formula you have chosen, the deductible is an amount between CHF 300 and 2,500, which will have to be paid by you each year, as a contribution to the treatment costs. Once this amount is reached, your health insurance will cover 90% of the costs that exceed your annual deductible. The remaining 10% will be your responsibility up to an annual amount of CHF 700.
 
Regarding the deductible, you have the choice of paying CHF 2,500, CHF 2,000, CHF 1,500, CHF 1,000, CHF 500, or CHF 300 per year. However, it must be taken into account that the lower your annual contribution (deductible), the higher your monthly insurance contribution (premium). It is therefore necessary to ensure that the amount of the deductible chosen is adapted to your finances, but also to your state of health. If you have to undergo regular medical treatment which incurs significant costs each year, a small deductible may be more appropriate.
On the other hand, if you are in good health and rarely go to the doctor, a high deductible could be more interesting. In the latter case, however, it would be important to have sufficient financial reserves to meet unforeseen medical costs: suddenly having to pay CHF 2500 may constitute a risk of indebtedness.
 
Insurance companies operate according to two very distinct systems with regard to the payment of medical costs. The first system is the so-called “third-party guarantor”: the insured persons pay their bills themselves and are reimbursed by their fund, once the annual deductible has been reached. The second system is the so-called “third-party payment” system: the fund receives the invoice directly and pays certain invoices from healthcare providers. The insured persons only pay the deductible and their participation in the costs. It is important to take into account these two different systems of coverage of medical costs when choosing which insurance to contract, so that it is in accordance with your finances.
 
Premium calculator 2021
 
The premium conditions change every year and it is possible to change health insurance by sending a cancellation letter by registered mail before the end of November. It is essential to have paid to your current health insurer all the invoices due (premiums and participations) on 31 December in order to be able to change health insurer the following year.
 
Guidelines: premiums and change of health fund

It is essential to register new-borns with health insurance during your pregnancy and until the third month following the birth.
 
Medical insurance for your baby

Supplementary insurance is not social insurance and is not compulsory. A key difference to basic insurance is that the funds are not required to accept everyone. They can also set the premiums according to your age, your state of health, your sex and require that you complete a health questionnaire before being accepted.
 
The conditions of your affiliation to the desired insurance therefore depend on your answers concerning your health. Fill in the questionnaire carefully, because the health insurance company can later reconsider the conditions of insurance, or even your affiliation to this insurance, if the data you provided was incomplete.
 
If you wish to take out one or more supplementary insurance policies for your child, it is best to do so before the child is born. In the event of an announcement before the birth, the health insurers often guarantee to affiliate the child unconditionally and without a health questionnaire. Specialists in budget management generally advise that children be frequently insured for dental treatment (correction of teeth), as these treatments can be very expensive. It is also worth concluding such insurance in time. After a certain age, the health insurers require a dental examination beforehand.
Supplementary insurance often offers a range of benefits and is not limited to a single benefit. Therefore, if you decide to take out supplementary insurance, check that you are not double insured for the same benefit.

Office vaudois de l’assurance-maladie
Chemin de Mornex 40
1014 Lausanne
 
List of OVAM agencies by region

Practical information
The subsidies start at the time of the application, so you must apply as soon as your financial means decrease. Conversely, if you are entitled to subsidies and your financial situation improves, you must notify OVAM directly so as not to have to pay a bill retroactively.

For workers, part of the contributions to these insurances is deducted from the salary and the other part is paid by the employer. People who are not gainfully employed are also required to pay an annual contribution. The minimum contribution is set at CHF 496.
 
Supplementary benefits (PC) are provided to persons residing in Switzerland who receive an AVS or AI pension and whose income is not sufficient to cover basic needs. Foreigners must meet a few additional requirements. The filing of a PC application is free and is carried out with the social insurance agencies. The PC constitutes, together with the AVS and the AI, the first of the three pillars of our pension system.
 
An AVS and AI insurance certificate, presented in credit card format, is issued to anyone who works or pays contributions. This card provides proof that you are insured with the AVS/AI. It must be sent to each new employer and may be requested from you for other procedures.

It is compulsory for employees who receive more than CHF 21,330 per year and optional for the self-employed. All employers must insure their staff with the company’s provident institution and must cover at least half of the contributions.

This financial support will be paid to you by your employer if you are an employee or by the Vaud compensation fund if you do not carry out gainful activities.
 
For the self-employed – caisse cantonale vaudoise de compensation AVS

To be entitled to unemployment insurance, it is necessary to have worked at least 12 months in the 2 years preceding the application. In addition, in the case where the employee voluntarily leaves their job, penalties are provided for and the sum insured is less than in the case of a dismissal, which may involve several months of unpaid indemnities.

• During maternity leave, the worker is entitled to payment of 80% of her salary, in the form of daily allowances.
  
• To receive maternity benefits, you must have been insured for the AVS during the 9 months preceding the birth and have worked for at least 5 months during this period. Periods of insurance and work in an EU/EFTA country are also taken into account. In certain circumstances, women who do not fulfil these conditions may receive a cantonal maternity allowance.
  

As with maternity leave, the allowance corresponds to 80% of the average income from gainful employment obtained before the birth of the child, but at a maximum of CHF 196. For two weeks, fathers can receive a maximum amount of CHF 2744.

If this is your case, you can go to the Centre social régional (CSR) closest to your home. Professionals will accompany you for all questions related, among other things, to obtaining the integration income, professional reintegration, etc.
 
Find the nearest centre social régional (CSR)

Supplementary benefits for families consist of a monthly financial benefit and the reimbursement of duly proven childcare and sickness costs.
 
To receive PC Familles benefits, you can go to the Centre régional de décisions PC Familles (CRD) on which your municipality of residence depends in order to complete the application form. These organisations will provide you with information and help you build up a file.
 
Find the nearest Centre régional de décisions

Centre social régional
 
Bex
Avenue de la Gare 14
1880 Bex
024 557 27 27
csr.bex@vd.ch
 
Échallens
Rue des Champs 5
1040 Échallens
021 622 75 55
csr@araspe.ch
 
Est lausannois-Oron-Lavaux - Site de Pully
Avenue de Villardin 2
1009 Pully
021 557 84 00
csr.pully.info@aras.vd.ch
 
Est lausannois-Oron-Lavaux - Site d’Oron
Le Bourg 11
Case postale 54 | 1610 Oron-la-Ville
021 557 19 55
csr.oron.info@aras.vd.ch
 
Junova
Rue des Pêcheurs 8A
1400 Yverdon-les-Bains
024 557 76 76
csr.junova@aras.vd.ch
 
Morges-Aubonne-Cossonay
Rue de Couvaloup 10
Case postale 982 | 1110 Morges 1
021 804 98 98
csr.morges@aras-vd.ch
 
Moudon
Place Saint-Etienne 6
1510 Moudon
021 557 86 80
csr.broye-vully@vd.ch
 
Nyon
Rue des Marchandises 17
1260 Nyon
021 338 99 38
csr.nyon@vd.ch
 
Ouest lausannois
Avenue du 14-Avril 8
1020 Renens
021 316 84 00/01/02
csr.ouest-lausannois@vd.ch
 
Penthalaz
Place Centrale 5
1305 Penthalaz
021 622 75 55
csr@araspe.ch
 
Payerne
Rue des Terreaux 1
Case postale 144 | 1530 Payerne
026 557 30 50
csr.broye-vully@vd.ch
 
Prilly
Rue des Métiers 1
1008 Prilly
021 622 74 00
csr@araspe.ch
 
Riviera – Site de Montreux
Avenue Claude-Nobs 14
Case postale 1009 | 1820 Montreux 1
021 962 78 60
csrriviera@arasriviera.ch
 
Riviera – Site de Vevey
Rue du Collège 17
Case postale 1112 | 1800 Vevey
021 925 53 33
csrriviera@arasriviera.ch
 
Service social Lausanne
Info sociale
Service social
Place Chauderon 4
Case postale 5032 | 1002 Lausanne
021 315 75 11
ssl@lausanne.ch

More information
Établissement cantonal d’assurance
Avenue du Grey 111
Case postale
1002 Lausanne
058 721 21 21

Civil liability and household insurance

Civil liability and household insurance allows you to insure your home and your belongings against all damage, including damage caused unintentionally by your children or yourself. It is recommended, but not mandatory. It may, however, be mandatory to find accommodation, as various authorities request it.

Practical information
In principle, people with a B permit are taxed at source, but in some cases they must complete an annual declaration.
 
You must complete your tax return each year (possible on the internet). You can pay monthly instalments on what you earn today to avoid having to pay your taxes all at once when you receive your tax the following year. The cantonal tax administration (ACI) is there to provide you with all the information on the matter.
 
AVIVO permanences impôts
 
Administration cantonale des impôts (ACI)
Route de Berne 46
1014 Lausanne
021 316 00 00
info.aci@vd.ch