Swiss Health Insurance (LAMal): 2026 Premiums, Deductible, Tips

In Switzerland, health insurance is mandatory. Every resident must join an insurer within 3 months of arriving. And unlike in France or Belgium, the premium does not depend on your income — it depends notably on your canton, your premium region, your age, the insurer, the model and the deductible you choose.

The result: at an identical profile, a move of a few kilometres can change your premium by around CHF 100 to 200 per month in some cases (especially between the most extreme cantons).

Source: 2026 LAMal premiums published by the FOPH (announced September 2025). Premiums are revised every year.

How does it work?

Basic insurance (LAMal)

LAMal (the Federal Health Insurance Act) covers basic care: medical consultations, hospital stays, prescribed medication, maternity, and certain preventive care.

Key points:

• Mandatory for every resident (including children)
• Free choice of insurer: there are around 50 in Switzerland
• Identical benefits: whatever the insurer, the care covered is the same. Only the price changes.
• No medical questionnaire: no insurer can turn you down for basic insurance

The deductible

This is the amount you pay out of pocket before the insurance starts covering costs. The options:

General rule: if your medical costs stay low (below ~CHF 1'500/year), the CHF 2'500 deductible is often advantageous. The saving on the premium can offset the extra risk — but the exact calculation depends on your base premium, your time horizon and your risk tolerance.

The co-payment

After the deductible, you still pay 10% of costs, up to a ceiling of CHF 700 per year (CHF 350 for children). Beyond that, the insurance covers everything.

Why do premiums vary?

Switzerland is divided into premium regions. Each canton has between 1 and 3 regions, numbered from 1 (the most expensive) to 3 (the cheapest).

The factors that determine the premium:

• The premium region of your municipality (the main factor)
• Local healthcare costs: the more doctors and hospitals there are, the higher the costs
• Medical density: urban regions consume more care
• The insurance model chosen (see below)

The concrete gaps

Indicative premiums for an adult, CHF 300 deductible, standard model. Source: FOPH, 2026 premiums. Exact amounts depend on the insurer and the premium region within the canton.

Annual gap between the most extreme cantons: around CHF 2'500 (for an adult, standard model, at an identical deductible). And within the same canton, the gap between premium regions can reach CHF 50 to 80 per month.

How to reduce your premium?

1. Raise your deductible

Going from a CHF 300 to a CHF 2'500 deductible can reduce the premium by around CHF 100 to 150 per month depending on the canton and insurer, i.e. roughly CHF 1'200 to 1'800 per year. This is generally the most effective lever if you are in good health.

2. Choose an alternative model

• Family doctor (Hausarztmodell): you always consult the same GP first. Possible reduction: up to ~15%.
• HMO: you consult at a network medical centre. Possible reduction: up to ~20-25%.
• Telemedicine (Telmed): first contact by phone or app. Possible reduction: ~10-15%.

These models limit your freedom to choose your doctor, but the savings are real.

3. Compare insurers every year

Premiums change every year (announced in September, effective in January). For basic insurance, you can switch insurer every year by sending your cancellation before 30 November. Since the benefits are identical, the main selection criterion is price (and the quality of customer service, depending on your preferences). Note: supplementary insurance does not follow the same cancellation rules.

4. Apply for a subsidy

If your income is modest, your canton may grant you a subsidy (premium reduction). The thresholds vary by canton. Check with your cantonal administration.

Supplementary insurance

In addition to LAMal, you can take out supplementary insurance (LCA): private hospital room, alternative medicine, dental care, glasses, etc.

Unlike basic insurance, supplementary policies can turn you down or apply exclusions depending on your state of health. If you are considering one, do it early.

The takeaways

1. Basic insurance is mandatory, the benefits are identical everywhere → choose the cheapest insurer
2. The premium depends on your municipality → the choice of where you live has a direct impact
3. High deductible + alternative model = in some cases, CHF 150 to 250 of savings per month (combined deductible + model effects, depending on canton and insurer)
4. Compare and switch insurer every year if necessary

The LAMal premium is only one of the 3 items that vary between municipalities. For the full picture (taxes + rent + LAMal): Cost of living in Switzerland by canton.

Factor premiums into your calculation

On OikoSearch, health insurance premiums are built into the disposable-income calculation for each municipality. You see the real impact on your budget, municipality by municipality.

See the premiums for my municipality →

Article updated May 2026. LAMal premiums are announced at the end of September for the following year. Deductibles and the co-payment are set by the LAMal act and may be revised by the Federal Council. For the exact premiums in your municipality, use OikoSearch.