Health Insurance Switzerland 2025: The Complete Guide

Health insurance premiums continue to rise in Switzerland. But with the right strategy, you can save thousands of francs without compromising on coverage. Here's everything you need to know.

Understanding Swiss Health Insurance

Basic Insurance (Mandatory)

Every resident in Switzerland should generally have basic health insurance. Coverage is identical across all insurers, but premiums vary significantly.

What's Covered:

• Doctor visits and hospital treatment
• Medications on the specialties list
• Maternity care
• Preventive examinations
• Physiotherapy (prescribed)

Not Covered:

• Dental treatment (except accidents)
• Alternative medicine (only in supplementary insurance)
• Glasses/contact lenses (except for children)

Supplementary Insurance (Optional)

Covers services beyond basic insurance:

• Private or semi-private hospital rooms
• Alternative medicine
• Dental treatment
• Glasses and contact lenses
• Treatment abroad

Average Premiums 2025

Premiums for adults (26+), CHF 2,500 deductible

How to Save on Health Insurance

1. Choose the Right Deductible (Save up to CHF 1,800/year)

Rule of thumb: If you visit the doctor less than twice a year, choose CHF 2,500.

2. Select an Alternative Insurance Model (Save up to CHF 600/year)

Standard Model

• Free choice of doctor
• Most expensive option

GP Model (Hausarzt-Modell)

• Choose a family doctor
• Always consult them first
• Savings: 10-15%

HMO Model

• Treatment only at a specific HMO practice
• Highest savings: 15-25%
• Limited flexibility

Telemedicine Model

• Call hotline before doctor visit
• Savings: 10-20%
• Great for minor issues

3. Compare Insurers (Save up to CHF 1,500/year)

Budget Insurers (Best Value)

• Assura: From CHF 290/month
• Sana: From CHF 295/month
• Swica: From CHF 305/month

Mid-Range

• Helsana: From CHF 320/month
• CSS: From CHF 325/month

Premium

• Sanitas: From CHF 340/month
• Atupri: From CHF 350/month

Important: Benefits are identical! You're paying for service, not coverage.

4. Accident Insurance Exclusion (Save CHF 60-120/year)

If you work more than 8 hours/week, you're covered for accidents through your employer. Exclude accident coverage from your health insurance.

Savings: CHF 60-120/year Important: Re-include if you become unemployed!

Best Health Insurers 2025

For Budget-Conscious

Assura

• Premium: Lowest in most regions
• Service: Basic (mainly online/phone)
• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Best for: Healthy people who rarely need service

Sana

• Premium: Very competitive
• Service: Good digital services
• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Best for: Tech-savvy users

For Service

Swica

• Premium: Mid-range
• Service: Excellent customer service
• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Best for: Those who value personal service

Helsana

• Premium: Mid-range to high
• Service: Comprehensive service network
• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
• Best for: Families needing frequent support

For Families

CSS

• Premium: Mid-range
• Service: Family-friendly programs
• Family discount: Up to 20% for 3+ insured
• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Switching Insurance: Step-by-Step

Deadline: November 30th

To switch for January 1st, you should generally cancel by November 30th (postmarked).

Process

1. Choose New Insurer (October)

• Compare on priminfo.admin.ch
• Get at least 3 quotes
• Check deductible options

2. Apply (Early November)

• Fill out application online
• Provide current insurance details
• Choose deductible and model

3. Receive Confirmation

• New insurer confirms acceptance
• Usually within 2 weeks

4. Cancel Old Insurance

• Send registered letter by Nov 30
• Or: New insurer does it for you
• Keep confirmation

5. Start New Coverage (January 1st)

• Automatic switch
• No gap in coverage
• New insurance card arrives in December

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Staying with the Same Insurer for Years

Premiums can increase significantly. Compare annually!

Example: Staying 5 years without comparing = CHF 5,000+ wasted

❌ Wrong Deductible

CHF 300 deductible when you're healthy = CHF 2,160 more per year

Calculate:

• Medical costs < CHF 2,000/year → CHF 2,500 deductible
• Medical costs > CHF 5,000/year → CHF 300 deductible

❌ Not Excluding Accidents

If employed, excluding accidents saves CHF 60-120/year

❌ Paying for "Brand Name"

All basic insurance covers the same. Paying extra for Sanitas vs Assura = wasting money.

❌ Missing the Deadline

Miss November 30? You're stuck for another year!

Supplementary Insurance: Worth It?

When It Makes Sense

Hospital (Semi-Private/Private)

• Worth it if: You want room choice
• Cost: CHF 100-400/month
• Consider: Premium increases with age

Dental

• Worth it if: Young, planning dental work
• Cost: CHF 20-60/month
• Consider: Coverage limits (50-75%)

Alternative Medicine

• Worth it if: You regularly use alternative treatments
• Cost: CHF 15-40/month
• Coverage: CHF 1,000-3,000/year

Glasses

• Worth it if: You need new glasses yearly
• Cost: CHF 10-25/month
• Coverage: CHF 200-300/year

When to Skip

❌ If you're healthy and don't use these services ❌ If coverage limits are too low ❌ If premiums > likely benefits

Special Situations

For Students

• Stay on parents' insurance until 25 (if in education)
• Then switch to cheapest basic insurance
• Consider student health package from universities

For Expats

• EU/EFTA citizens: Can choose home country insurance (3 months)
• Others: Must get Swiss insurance within 3 months
• Tip: Start with cheapest basic, add supplementary later

For Families

• Children under 18: Reduced premiums (50-60% of adult)
• Young adults (19-25): Reduced premiums (70-80% of adult)
• Family discounts: Some insurers offer 5-approximately 20% discount for 3+ insured

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch mid-year? Only if:

• You move to a different canton
• Your insurer raises premiums mid-year
• You lose accident coverage through employer

What if I'm denied? Basic insurance: Cannot be denied! It's illegal. Supplementary: Can be denied due to pre-existing conditions.

Can I have basic and supplementary with different insurers? Yes! Often recommended for flexibility and savings.

What happens if I don't pay premiums?

• Reminder → Warning → Collections → Coverage suspended
• You still owe the money!
• Can affect credit rating

Action Plan for 2025

☑️ Before November 30, 2024

1. Review your 2024 medical costs
2. Calculate optimal deductible
3. Compare insurers on priminfo.admin.ch
4. Apply to new insurer
5. Cancel old insurance

☑️ Throughout 2025

• Keep all medical receipts
• Track total costs
• Reassess deductible for 2026

☑️ October 2025

• Repeat comparison for 2026
• Check if your situation changed
• Consider switching again

Conclusion

Health insurance is mandatory in Switzerland, but that doesn't mean you should overpay. With the right strategy, you can save:

• CHF 1,800/year by choosing the right deductible
• CHF 600/year with an alternative insurance model
• CHF 1,500/year by comparing and switching insurers

Total potential savings: CHF 3,900 per year!

Our recommendations: 🥇 For healthy individuals: Assura with CHF 2,500 deductible + HMO model 🥈 For families: CSS with family discount + GP model 🥉 For those who value service: Swica with CHF 1,500 deductible + GP model

Don't wait – compare now and save thousands!

Data: November 2024