Swiss health insurance costs: what to budget before you move
Basic Swiss health insurance (KVG/LAMal) is mandatory for every resident within 3 months of arrival, paid per person, not by the employer. Budget roughly CHF 300-500 per adult and CHF 100-150 per child per month as of 2025, depending on canton, age, franchise and insurer.
Overview
Swiss health insurance often surprises new arrivals: the federal basic cover is identical by law, but premiums vary by up to 80% between insurers and cantons. Picking the right franchise and supplementary cover before you arrive saves several thousand francs a year.
How to plan your health-insurance budget
- 1
Understand the two layers: KVG vs VVG
KVG (basic / Grundversicherung) is mandatory and standardised. VVG (supplementary / Zusatzversicherung) is optional and covers semi-private/private hospital, dental, alternative medicine and abroad cover.
- 2
Choose your franchise (Franchise / franchise)
Annual deductible between CHF 300 and CHF 2,500 for adults. A CHF 2,500 franchise cuts premiums sharply but you pay the first CHF 2,500 of care plus a 10% retention up to CHF 700. Rule of thumb: take the high franchise only if you expect very low usage.
- 3
Compare premiums by canton
Average 2025 premiums range from ~CHF 280/month in Appenzell Innerrhoden to ~CHF 480/month in Basel-Stadt and Geneva for an adult on standard franchise.
- 4
Pick the right model
Telmed, family doctor (Hausarzt) and HMO models can cut premiums 10-20% vs the standard free-choice model, in exchange for first contacting a defined provider.
- 5
Insure children separately - and cheaply
Children's premiums are 75-80% lower than adults. Don't forget every child needs their own policy within 3 months of arrival or birth.
- 6
Check premium-reduction eligibility
Most cantons subsidise premiums (Prämienverbilligung / réduction de prime) for households below an income threshold. Worth checking even on a single full-time salary if you have a non-working spouse and several children.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my home-country health insurance in Switzerland?+
Generally no. Residents must take basic Swiss KVG/LAMal. Exemptions exist for posted workers with an A1 certificate, students with equivalent EU cover, and cross-border commuters under the Choice Right (Optionsrecht), but require active application.
Does my Swiss employer pay any of my health insurance?+
No - basic health insurance is the individual's responsibility. The employer only covers occupational accident insurance (BU) automatically.
How long do I have to take out Swiss health insurance after arriving?+
Three months from your registration date at the commune. Cover is backdated to the arrival date and the premium is owed from day one regardless of when you sign up.
Is supplementary (VVG) insurance worth it for expats?+
It depends on age, health and expectations. Semi-private hospital cover (~CHF 80-200/month) gives access to specialists and shorter waits; dental and abroad cover are useful for frequent travellers. Apply before any pre-existing condition develops - VVG insurers can refuse.