The Intermediate Insurance Qualification
AFA certification
The AFA certification is the qualification that attests to the knowledge of insurance intermediaries in Switzerland. Since 2026, it has been compulsory for anyone wishing to advise on or sell insurance products, within the framework set out by law (LSA) and overseen by FINMA. The examinations are organised by the VBV, the industry’s official body.
A modular certification scheme
The certification is not a single, comprehensive programme: it is made up of modules, each covering a product family. You take the ones that relate to your line of work, and you can add more as your career progresses. Only one is compulsory – the first one – as it is this module that unlocks access to the others.
- General skills and knowledge The foundations: the legal framework and the basics of the profession. These must be acquired before anything else. View the module →
- Health insurance and supplementary cover Basic and supplementary health insurance. View the module →
- Non-life Property and assets insurance: home contents, motor, third-party liability, SMEs. View the module →
- Life Pension provision: life insurance, 3rd pillar, LPP. View the module →
How does the exam work?
Each module has its own format: a questionnaire for ‘Competencies’, a practical consultancy case study for ‘Health and Supplementary Insurance’, a comprehensive written exam for ‘Non-life Insurance’, and an oral exam for ‘Life Insurance’. Full details, broken down by duration, are set out in our guide.
How much does it cost?
Examination fees are paid to the VBV and vary depending on the module. A candidate who sits all four modules and passes them at the first attempt pays a total of 800 CHF in examination fees. Preparation, however, is a separate investment.
A certification due for renewal
AFA certification is not valid for life. As long as you remain practising, it must be renewed periodically through recertification, in the form of a short online exam, to confirm that your knowledge remains up to date.
The exact details (frequency, fees, dates) are set by the organisation and are subject to change: always check the current terms and conditions with the VBV, which alone is the authoritative source.