Swiss Health Insurance 2027: How to Compare with Priminfo

Start with the official Swiss health insurance comparison

Your renewal letter gives you one price. Before accepting it, check what the same cover would cost elsewhere. Priminfo is the Swiss federal government's free calculator for compulsory basic health insurance. It is anonymous, independent and advertising-free. The approved 2027 premiums were published on 29 September 2026.

The calculator is available in German, French and Italian. For an English-speaking newcomer, the most useful terms are Franchise (annual deductible), Unfalldeckung (accident cover) and Versicherungsmodell (insurance model).

1. Enter your postcode and year of birth. Select the correct municipality if more than one appears.
2. Choose your deductible and accident cover. Start with your current settings so you can compare equivalent policies.
3. Compare models you would actually use. A cheaper policy is less useful if its first-contact rules or doctor network do not suit you.
4. Save a short list and check the insurer's terms. Confirm the exact model, participating practice and payment arrangements before applying.

If a quote differs from the calculator, check the year, model and accident setting first. Ask whether both amounts include the same environmental levy redistribution credit. Priminfo compares basic insurance; supplementary cover needs a separate comparison.

Official guidance: what Priminfo covers and the calculator's FAQ (German).

What the new 2027 insurance model labels mean

If you remember searching for “GP”, “HMO” or “Telmed”, the filters may look different this year. Priminfo uses new categories for 2027:

The statutory basic benefits are the same, but the route to treatment can differ. Read the model's rules for referrals, medicines and exceptions, including emergencies. Check that your preferred doctor still participates in the exact model you are considering.

Source: FOPH's 2027 model categories factsheet (PDF, German).

Should you choose a CHF 300 or CHF 2,500 deductible?

A high deductible lowers the premium but leaves you paying more when you need care. For adults, the standard deductible is CHF 300; optional levels run up to CHF 2,500. Do the calculation with your actual quotes and likely covered medical expenses. A rule from an online discussion cannot tell you which option fits your budget.

Here is a deliberately simple example. Suppose a CHF 300 deductible policy costs CHF 300 a month, while a comparable CHF 2,500 deductible policy costs CHF 200 a month:

• With CHF 200 of covered medical bills: the annual total would be CHF 3,800 with the lower deductible, or CHF 2,600 with the higher one.
• With CHF 4,000 of covered medical bills: the total would be CHF 4,270 with the lower deductible, or CHF 5,050 with the higher one.

These are invented premiums to show the arithmetic, not quotes. Each total includes twelve monthly premiums, the applicable deductible and the ordinary 10% co-payment after the deductible. The example excludes hospital contributions, uncovered treatment, special medicine charges and any cost-sharing exemptions.

Under the ordinary adult rules, the co-payment is capped at CHF 700 a year. With a CHF 2,500 deductible, that means budgeting for CHF 3,200 towards covered treatment in addition to premiums. It is not a complete spending ceiling: hospital contributions are normally CHF 15 per day, some medicines carry higher co-payments, and non-covered costs remain yours. Exemptions apply, including for certain maternity services.

Being able to pay a large bill matters as much as the annual calculation. If you choose a high deductible, keep that money accessible. You can use Priminfo's deductible comparison to check other levels too.

Sources: Priminfo's deductible guidance (German), FOPH's cost-sharing rules and higher co-payments for certain medicines (German).

Switching for 2027: the 30 November deadline

To change basic insurer from 1 January 2027, your cancellation must reach your current insurer by 30 November 2026. The postmark does not count. FOPH recommends sending written notice by registered post or A-Post Plus by 15 November and registering with the new insurer at the same time.

Keep proof of delivery and both insurers' confirmations. The new insurer must confirm uninterrupted cover to you and your previous insurer. Certain unpaid insurance debts can prevent a switch, so resolve outstanding reminders before proceeding.

Compulsory basic insurance must accept eligible applicants regardless of health or age, without a health questionnaire. Supplementary insurance has different acceptance rules and contractual deadlines. You can move your basic policy while keeping supplementary cover where it is. If you also want to replace supplementary cover, wait for written acceptance of the replacement before cancelling the existing policy.

Sources: FOPH's English switching FAQ and the 2027 switching factsheet (PDF, German). Priminfo also provides sample letters.

Three other things to check before you renew

Accident cover through your employer

If you work at least eight hours a week for the same employer, you are generally covered for non-occupational accidents through that employer's accident insurance. Confirm that coverage, then ask your health insurer to suspend accident cover in the basic policy. Recheck it if you leave the job or reduce your hours.

Cantonal premium reductions

Your canton may help with premiums if your financial circumstances qualify. Eligibility, application procedures and deadlines vary. Check the cantonal scheme even if you have already found a lower premium.

Annual or half-yearly payment

Ask whether paying in advance earns a discount. It is not a universal entitlement, and the terms vary by insurer. Weigh any saving against having less cash available for bills; do not empty your deductible reserve to prepay premiums.

Sources: FOPH's accident insurance eligibility rules, cantonal premium reductions (German) and an insurer's example of advance-payment discounts. The last link illustrates a payment option, not an insurer recommendation. We receive no commissions.

Keep the insurance documents for your Swiss tax return

Save your insurer's annual tax statement, any premium reduction decision and evidence of medical costs you paid yourself. If you switch insurers during a tax year, collect records from both.

Insurance premiums and unreimbursed medical expenses are subject to different deduction rules and limits. A deduction reduces taxable income; it does not refund every franc you spent. Use the instructions for your canton and tax year. Our Swiss tax return checklist lists the other documents worth putting aside.

Source: ch.ch's guide to tax documents and deductions.