The deadline for changing your Swiss insurance coverage – November 30th – is fast approaching. There are several things you need to keep in mind before you do so.
Health insurance premiums for 2026 will rise by 4.4 percent on average – that is, 16.60 francs per month – which means that the average monthly premium will amount to 393.30 francs per adult from January 1st.
Again, this is the national average, but residents of some cantons will have to pay even more, because premiums are determined by each canton’s health infrastructure and levels of government funding.
With a hike of 6.9 percent over current premiums, residents of Ticino will be saddled with the highest increase – 582 francs a month.
Next is Valais (5.8 percent – 439 francs); Appenzell-Innerrhoden (5.5 percent- 322 francs); Uri (5.3 percent – 363 francs); Zurich (5.1 percent- 451 francs); and Graubünden (5 percent – 400 francs).
READ ALSO: Which Swiss cantons will see highest hikes in health insurance premiums?
Here’s what to do next
By now you have received a letter from your insurance carrier informing you of next year’s rates, as insurers are legally required to do so before the end of October.
If you have the standard (and most expensive) model, you now have two options: either remain with your current carrier under the same conditions – in which case you don’t have to do anything, as your policy will renew automatically based on new premiums – or look for a cheaper policy.
If you opt for the latter, you have two choices as well.
One is to stay with the same company but choose a cheaper insurance plan or a higher co-pay amount – both of which will lower your premiums – or look for a company that offers lower rates.
In the first instance, more economical alternatives include a Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO), a Family Doctor Model, or the Telmed alternative.
READ ALSO: How you can save money by changing your Swiss health policy
All of these less expensive options will impose certain limits on your access to non-emergency medical care – for instance, you will have to ask your family doctor to refer you to specialists instead of choosing them yourself – but, depending on what you choose, you will be able to save up to 25 percent on premiums, compared to the conventional insurance.
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How can you be sure you are finding the best rate?
This is certainly a legitimate question for new arrivals who may not yet know their way around Switzerland’s unique (at least in Europe) and complex health insurance system.
There are, however, ways to make your search easier, without having to jump through hoops to find the best deals.
One potential pitfall to avoid is not to rely on unsolicited calls from health insurance brokers.
From September 1st, 2024, these companies are no longer allowed to try to sell an insurance policy by phone to a person who has never been insured with a particular carrier, or who has not been insured there for at least 36 months.
However, even though insurance companies risk a fine of up to 100,000 francs for breaking this law, a study showed said that illegal telephone canvassing remains widespread.
READ ALSO: Why you should be wary of calls from Swiss health insurance companies
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So how can you find the best premiums?
One way is to search directly on the websites of individual insurance companies.
Once you get prices from several providers, you can then compare them yourself and see what suits you best.
You can also look at this website, operated by the Federal Office of Public Health which, unlike many private platforms, has no commercial interests, so you know you can rely on the information you get there.
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How should you go about cancelling your current policy?
If you remain with your current carrier but just change your policy for a cheaper plan, you can notify the company, before November 30th, either by letter or by logging into your client account on their website.
If you are switching to another company altogether, your current insurance carrier must receive your termination letter, sent by registered mail, – also no later than November 30th.
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However, there are two things you must do as well.
One, you must attach proof that you have taken out a new insurance policy – your current carrier won’t cancel the existing plan if you don’t have another one in place.
That’s because health insurance is compulsory in Switzerland for every resident, whether Swiss or foreign, so you can’t be without coverage even for a short period of time.
And two, any outstanding monthly premiums must be paid before you can make the switch.
