Guide
Which insurance do I need as a self-employed person?
In short: For the self-employed, AHV/IV/EO, membership of a family compensation fund and health insurance are compulsory – including accident cover if you have no insurance under the Accident Insurance Act. Optional but important: accident insurance, daily sickness allowance and pension cover via a pension fund or pillar 3a. You cannot insure yourself against unemployment.
What used to be automatic as an employee
As an employee, your employer insured you against accidents, in a pension fund and against unemployment. As a self-employed person, much of this falls away – you decide and pay yourself.
Overview
| Insurance | For the self-employed |
|---|---|
| AHV/IV/EO | compulsory – you register yourself with a compensation office |
| Family compensation fund | compulsory – clarify membership via your compensation office |
| Health insurance (basic) | compulsory – with accident cover if not insured under the Accident Insurance Act |
| Accident insurance under the Accident Insurance Act | optional |
| Daily sickness allowance | optional |
| Pension fund (2nd pillar) | optional |
| Pillar 3a | optional, tax-efficient |
| Unemployment insurance | not possible |
Accidents
Self-employed people resident in Switzerland can take out voluntary insurance under the Accident Insurance Act (UVG), for example with Suva or another insurer. Without such cover, you must insure yourself against accidents with your health insurer.
Illness
If you are ill, nobody pays your salary. Daily sickness allowance insurance pays benefits if you cannot work due to illness. The federal social insurance guide recommends considering it.
Retirement provision
- Pension fund: not compulsory for the self-employed. You can insure yourself voluntarily, for example with your professional association’s pension institution or the substitute occupational benefit institution.
- Pillar 3a: without a pension fund, you can pay in up to 20% of your earned income, at most CHF 36,288 a year. With a pension fund, at most CHF 7,258 (2026).
And for your business?
Depending on your activity, further insurance makes sense, such as business liability insurance. Your professional association can tell you what is usual.
Tip: if you have a GmbH or AG and work in it, you are considered an employee – accident insurance and a pension fund are then compulsory. More: Sole proprietorship or GmbH?
Frequently asked questions
Am I insured against accidents as a self-employed person?
Not automatically. Self-employed people are not compulsorily insured against accidents but can take out voluntary cover under the Accident Insurance Act. Without such cover, you must insure yourself against accidents with your health insurer.
Do I have to join a pension fund?
No. Occupational pension cover is not compulsory for the self-employed. You can insure yourself voluntarily.
How much can I pay into pillar 3a as a self-employed person?
Without a pension fund, up to 20% of your earned income, at most CHF 36,288 a year. With a pension fund, at most CHF 7,258 a year (2026).
Am I entitled to unemployment benefits if my business fails?
As a self-employed person, you are not insured against unemployment.
Sources
- FSIO: Social insurance guide for SMEs (German, as of 1 January 2026)
- Leaflet 2.02 – Contributions of the self-employed (as of 1 January 2026)
- Art. 4 Accident Insurance Act – Voluntary insurance
- FOPH: accident insurance – who can insure voluntarily? (German)
- Suva: business owner insurance for the self-employed (German)
- SECO SME Portal: Self-employment guidelines
All information checked on 29 October 2026.