Health insurance in Switzerland
Switzerland has no free national health service. Everyone who lives here must take out basic health insurance (Grundversicherung, under the Health Insurance Act KVG/LAMal) with a private insurer. The law sets the benefits, so basic cover is the same at every insurer. Insurers must accept every applicant for basic insurance, whatever their age or health, with no waiting period. Premiums are not deducted from your salary: you pay them yourself each month.
Enrolling and switching
- You have three months after arriving in Switzerland, or after a baby is born, to take out insurance. You are already insured during those three months.
- You can choose any insurer that operates where you live.
- Insurers announce next year's premium by 31 October. To change insurer on 1 January, your cancellation must reach your current insurer by 30 November. If you have unpaid premiums for which you were sent a reminder, you cannot switch.
- Supplementary insurance (Zusatzversicherung) is optional. Insurers may refuse you after a health questionnaire.
What you pay
- Premium: depends on the insurer, the model, your deductible and where you live. The canton of Zurich has three premium regions. For 2027 the Swiss-wide average premium will be CHF 412 a month for all insured people and CHF 487.60 for adults (announced 29 September 2026; set yearly).
- Deductible (Franchise): adults choose between CHF 300 and CHF 2,500 a year, children between CHF 0 and CHF 600. A higher deductible lowers the premium.
- Co-payment (Selbstbehalt): after the deductible you pay 10% of costs, up to CHF 700 a year for adults and CHF 350 for children.
- Hospital contribution: CHF 15 a day. Children, young adults in education and pregnant women do not pay it.
- Pregnancy: for maternity services you pay no deductible or co-payment. From the 13th week of pregnancy until 8 weeks after the birth, ordinary treatment is free of cost-sharing too.
Doctors and insurance models
Your family doctor (Hausarzt) is the usual first contact and refers you to specialists. Cheaper models exist: a family-doctor or HMO model (you almost always go to a chosen practice first) or a Telmed model (you phone a medical hotline first). Employees who work more than 8 hours a week are insured against all accidents through their employer. If you work less, are self-employed or do not work, you must arrange accident cover yourself; for the self-employed and non-employed it is part of the health insurance.
People with a low income can apply for a premium reduction (Prämienverbilligung). In Zurich it is handled by the cantonal social insurance office (SVA Zürich). For 2026, a single person with assets above CHF 150,000 has no entitlement.
Common pitfalls for newcomers
- Your municipality asks for proof of health insurance when you register. If you do not have it yet, you must hand it in within three months.
- With the CHF 2,500 deductible, keep CHF 3,200 aside for one bad year (deductible plus maximum co-payment).
- Do not pay twice for accident cover if your employer already insures you.
- Outside the EU/EFTA, basic insurance pays emergency treatment only up to a limit. Consider extra travel cover before visiting countries with expensive care.
Official guidance: ch.ch: health insurance costs, ch.ch: taking out or changing insurance, FOPH: premiums FAQ, SVA Zürich: premium reduction 2026