How much does health insurance cost in Switzerland in 2024?
Health insurance is compulsory for all Swiss residents, guaranteeing everyone access to basic medical care. But the cost is not the same for everyone. The price of health insurance varies according to age, canton of residence, choice of deductible and insurance model.
How is the price of health insurance calculated in Switzerland? What factors influence the price of health insurance? How can I compare prices and get the best health insurance deal? All the answers to your questions in this detailed guide.
Swiss health insurance prices: to remember
- The average cost of health insurance in Switzerland is CHF 359.50.
- In 2024, health insurance premiums have risen by 8.7%.
- Prices vary according to age, place of residence and choice of contract.
- Increasing your deductible reduces the cost of your health insurance.
- Alternative models are up to 30% cheaper than the standard model.
How is the cost of health insurance calculated in Switzerland?
The price of basic health insurance is calculated on the basis of several factors:
- canton of residence: premiums vary from canton to canton due to differing healthcare costs and cantonal subsidies.
- age: premiums increase with age.
- deductible: the higher the deductible, the lower the price.
- insurance model: standard, HMO, family doctor or telmed.
- accident coverage option: optional, this option carries an additional premium.
Good to know
Personal income has no bearing on the calculation of the price of basic health insurance. However, people on low incomes may benefit from a subsidy to help pay their health insurance premiums, called the health insurance subsidy and paid by the canton of residence.
The price of health insurance in Switzerland is made up of several key elements:
- Health insurance premium: this is the amount the insured pays each month to the health insurer.
- The health insurance deductible: this is the amount the insured must pay out of pocket each year before the insurance kicks in. The insured can choose between different deductibles ranging from CHF 300 to CHF 2,500.
- Health insurance co-payment: the policyholder pays a contribution to medical costs representing 10% of treatment costs, with an annual ceiling (CHF 700 for adults and CHF 350 for children).
Enter your criteria in our free comparison tool at the top of this page, to get an overview of prices from the best Swiss insurers.
For example
Let's take the example of an adult who pays a monthly premium of CHF 400 and has chosen a deductible of CHF 1,000. Let's assume this person has medical expenses of CHF 5,000 over the course of the year. The annual costs include :
- Premium: CHF 400 x 12 months = CHF 4,800 per year
- Deductible: the insured must first pay the deductible of CHF 1,000. This means that, of the CHF 5,000 in medical expenses, the first CHF 1,000 is paid in full, and the insurance company will pay the remaining CHF 4,000.
- Co-payment: after paying the deductible, the insured must contribute 10% of the remaining costs. The remaining costs amount to CHF 4,000 (CHF 5,000 - CHF 1,000 deductible). Thus, 10% of CHF 4,000 is equivalent to CHF 400. As the ceiling for an adult is CHF 700, the insured will pay his or her share of CHF 400.
In summary, the insured will pay a total of CHF 6,200 for his annual insurance. This amount includes the annual premium, the deductible of CHF 1,000 and the co-payment of CHF 400.
How much does health insurance cost in Switzerland?
The average price of health insurance in Switzerland in 2024 is CHF 359.50, an increase of 8.7% on the previous year. However, as mentioned above, the price may vary considerably depending on :
- the policyholder's profile: age, canton of residence,
- the policyholder's contract choices: deductible amount, insurance model chosen, accident coverage or not
Let's take a look at how some of these criteria can influence the price of health insurance.
Health insurance prices by canton
Here are the prices of basic health insurance in various Swiss cantons in 2024 :
| Canton | Health insurance premiums |
|---|---|
| Geneva | 454,40 CHF |
| Basel-Stadt | 451,10 CHF |
| Ticino | 430,10 CHF |
| Neuchâtel | 417,20 CHF |
| Basel-Landschaft | 406,90 CHF |
| Vaud | 400,80 CHF |
| Jura | 388,60 CHF |
| Bern | 367 CHF |
| Solothurn | 360 CHF |
| Schaffhausen | 351,60 CHF |
| Zurich | 350,40 CHF |
| Fribourg | 339,40 CHF |
| Valais | 334,50 CHF |
| Aargau | 332,70 CHF |
| Thurgau | 322,60 CHF |
| St. Gallen | 317,80 CHF |
| Graubünden | 314,50 CHF |
| Glarus | 314,10 CHF |
| Appenzell Ausserrhoden | 314 CHF |
| Schwytz | 307,30 CHF |
| Lucerne | 306 CHF |
| Zug | 297,50 CHF |
| Nidwalden | 296,30 CHF |
| Obwalden | 288,50 CHF |
| Uri | 271,90 CHF |
| Appenzell Innerrhoden | 246,10 CHF |
Health insurance prices for families
The average cost of standard health insurance for a family in Switzerland is CHF 1,618.16 (based on two parents and two children aged 10 and 7), residing in Geneva, with accident coverage and deductibles of CHF 1,500 for adults and CHF 500 for children.
Health insurance premiums by insurance company
Here's a comparison of the leading health insurance companies in Switzerland in 2024. These rates are based on an individual aged 40, living in Geneva, with a deductible of CHF 1,500 and accident coverage included.
| Health insurance companies | Health insurance rates |
|---|---|
| Sanitas | 474,80 CHF |
| Assura | 478,70 CHF |
| Vivao Sympany | 489 CHF |
| Concordia | 491,50 CHF |
| Mutuel | 492,70 CHF |
| ÖKK | 500,50 CHF |
| Atupri | 502,30 CHF |
| Helsana | 504,60 CHF |
| Sana24 | 505,20 CHF |
| CSS | 507,90 CHF |
Understanding premium differences between health insurance companies
Insurers charge different rates depending on a number of variables:
- Cost pooling calculations: each insurance company has its own method for pooling the healthcare costs of its policyholders, thus influencing premiums.
- Regional healthcare cost structure: healthcare costs can vary from one canton to another, depending on the fees charged by healthcare providers and the use of healthcare services.
- Insured demographics: the composition of insured groups (age, state of health) influences risks and therefore costs, which in turn has an impact on premiums.
- Administrative management and operating costs: differences in management efficiency and administrative costs among health insurers can also influence premium costs.
- Pricing strategies: health insurers may adopt different pricing strategies, depending on their business objectives and market positioning.
Under the KVG/LAMal, premiums must cover the costs that the insurer incurs for its policyholders - no more, no less. This rule is strictly controlled by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health, which approves premiums before they are officially announced at the end of September.
Health insurance prices according to the insurance model chosen
When taking out a health insurance policy, policyholders can choose between different health insurance models, which determine who will be the first point of contact in the event of a health problem. The standard model is the most expensive: opting for an alternative model can save you up to 30% on the price of your insurance compared with the standard model.
For example
Let's take the example of an individual aged 35, living in Geneva, with accident coverage and a deductible of CHF 1,500. On average, he will pay the following price for his health insurance:
- With standard model: 548.91 francs
- Hmo model: CHF 544.57
- With the family doctor model: CHF 511.08
- Telmed model: 513.64 francs.
For a cheaper health insurance, be sure to compare offers online:
Obtenez la meilleure assurance maladie suisse en quelques clics
How much does international health insurance cost?
International health insurance, also known as optional health insurance, is coverage designed for those who frequently live or travel abroad. It is mainly aimed at Swiss expatriates and retired Swiss citizens living abroad.
Unlike basic insurance with standardized prices, the price of international health insurance can vary considerably depending on a number of factors:
- Scope of coverage: the more comprehensive the coverage (including worldwide coverage, hospitalization, specialized care, etc.), the higher the premium.
- Deductible: a higher deductible can reduce the cost of the premium.
- Additional options: extra services such as medical evacuation, dental or maternity coverage may increase the cost.
- Insured profile: age, gender, pre-existing medical conditions and lifestyle (such as smoking) can influence the price.
- Place of residence: premiums may vary depending on the country of expatriation.
Depending on all these criteria, the price of international insurance can vary from CHF 150 to almost CHF 1,000 per year.
For example, a 40-year-old expatriate in Europe who takes out international insurance covering up to CHF 300 per year for outpatient treatment and up to CHF 1,000 per year for hospital stays will cost around CHF 280 per year.
Good to know
You will generally need to maintain a Swiss bank account to receive health insurance reimbursements, and pay the premium in Swiss francs.
How much does cross-border health insurance cost in Switzerland?
If you live in a border country like France but work in Switzerland, you are obliged to take out cross-border health insurance.
The right of option allows you either to keep your own health insurance, while remaining attached to the Sécurité Sociale, or to take out LAMal, the Swiss health insurance system. LAMal frontierier costs an average of CHF 35 for a child and CHF 150 for an adult (these rates take into account the discount for reducing the insurer's reserves).
The price of health insurance is not determined in the same way for LAMal and CMU:
| LAMal | CMU | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly bonus | Depends on your age, canton, insurance company and contract terms | Depends solely on your income: the higher your income, the higher your premium |
| Family situation | Each member of the household must be individually registered for health insurance | All family members who do not earn a salary are entitled beneficiaries and do not contribute to CMU |
| Price trend | The premium does not change | The more you earn, the more you pay |
Expert advice
To extend the coverage provided by compulsory health insurance, you may consider taking out supplementary health insurance, which will enable you to cover more healthcare costs.
How much does supplementary health insurance cost?
Since basic health insurance does not cover all treatments in Switzerland, supplementary health insurance is there to cover additional health costs. For example, the cost of contact lenses and eyeglasses, recognized alternative medicine, hospitalization in a private or semi-private room, or dental care.
Good to know
In 2024, the average annual cost of supplementary health insurance in Switzerland is:
- CHF 426.70 for adults,
- CHF 300.60 for young adults aged between 19 and 25,
- CHF 111.80 for children.
8 tips for cheaper Swiss health insurance
Want to save money on your health insurance? Here are 8 tips to help you do just that:
- Increase your health insurance deductible: the higher your deductible, the lower your premium. The maximum deductible of 2,500 francs is the most popular in Switzerland. Be sure to assess your needs in terms of healthcare costs and your financial capacity to cope with unexpected payments in the event of a health problem.
- Pay in advance: in general, some companies offer a discount of around 2% if you pay in advance for the whole year, rather than paying every month. A great way to save money if you do it every year!
- Choose an alternative model: HMO, Telmed, family doctor… Choose a different, less expensive model for your health insurance.
- Compare insurance prices: whether for basic or supplementary insurance. Use a comparator or a broker.
- Don't take out accident insurance if you work more than 8 hours a week, as your employer is obliged to insure you against accidents.
- Find out about your health insurer's family discounts: in basic insurance, many providers offer a discount from the second insured child onwards (from the first in supplementary insurance).
- Check your eligibility for subsidies: if your income is below a certain threshold, you may be eligible for subsidies to help pay your premiums.
- Reduce supplementary cover: If you have taken out supplementary insurance, assess whether all cover is necessary. Removing non-essential cover can reduce costs.
