As it does each year at this time, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) has revealed the increase in the health insurance premiums that residents of Switzerland will pay in 2026.
You can look at it as good news or bad – that is, the premiums will definitely increase, but not by as much as they had in previous years: 6.6 percent in 2023, 7.8 percent the following year, and 6 percent in 2025.
In 2026, the hike will be 4.4 percent, Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider announced on September 23rd.
This means that the average monthly premium will amount to 393.30 francs, which corresponds to an increase of 16.60 francs (+4.4 percent) compared to this year.
The FOPH calculates this average cost by adding all premiums paid in Switzerland and dividing them by the total number of insured persons.
For adults, rates will increase by 18.50 francs per month (+4.1 percent ) to reach 465.30 francs on average.
For young adults – those up to the age of 26 – they will grow by 13.30 francs (+4.2 percent) to 326.30 francs.
And, for children, the average premium will increase by 5.70 francs (+4.9 percent) to reach 122.50 francs.
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Why do health insurance premiums go up each year?
The price hikes are not a new phenomenon per se: over the past 20 years, costs have risen at twice the rate of economic growth, resulting in health insurance premiums that are 90 percent higher today than in 2002.
Among the reasons are the newest and ever-changing technology — the latest medical equipment and treatments that Swiss patients have come to expect — which isn’t cheap.
Also, people in Switzerland have a high life expectancy, but as they get older, they tend to suffer from chronic, cost-intensive diseases.
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Who determines premium amounts each year?
Even though health insurance is offered by private carriers rather than the government, they can’t unilaterally set their own rates for the compulsory basic insurance (though they can do so on supplemental policies).
These rates are subject to approval by the government, via FOPH.
The Health Ministry also acts as the consumers’ advocate; it supervises insurers’ finances, budgets, and annual reports.
Therefore, each increase in premiums must be fully justified.
