Switch health insurer 2027: premiums +5.0%, and up to CHF 3'174 difference for the same cover
Health insurance premiums rise again in 2027, by 5.0% on average. The average premium is now CHF 412 a month. And for exactly the same basic insurance, up to CHF 3'174 a year separate the cheapest from the most expensive insurer in the same place. Combine insurer, deductible and model wisely and you get a large part of that back. Here is everything you need to know.
💰 Premiums 2027: more expensive again – but not everywhere
The FOPH confirmed it on 29 September: health insurance premiums rise by an average of 5.0% in 2027. The average monthly premium climbs to CHF 412. For adults that means CHF 487.60 a month, CHF 22.80 more than the year before. With a median salary of CHF 7,024, health insurance now absorbs over 6.9% of gross salary.
The differences between cantons are large: the cheapest offer rises by +8.6% in Schwyz but only +1.2% in Geneva. And within the same premium region, up to CHF 3'174 a year separate the cheapest and the most expensive insurer for exactly the same cover (canton of Uri, free choice of doctor, CHF 300 deductible). Those living in the right canton are lucky. Everyone else should act.
For exactly the same basic insurance, in the canton of Uri you pay CHF 3'174 more a year with the most expensive insurer than with the cheapest.
ConvivaPlus analysis of FOPH premium data 2027
📋 Switch health insurance – step by step
Switching takes 30 minutes and can save thousands of francs. Important: basic insurance has mandatory acceptance – no insurer can reject you, regardless of your age or health. Unlike the minimum wage, where cantons set their own rules, the KVG is uniform across Switzerland.
On priminfo.admin.ch (official FOPH calculator), enter your postcode, choose deductible and model. The cheapest insurers appear immediately.
A managed-care model (HMO, family doctor, telemedicine) costs 4–14% less than free choice of doctor, depending on the canton (cheapest offers 2027). Deductible 2,500 saves up to CHF 1,540/year – but only makes sense with low healthcare costs.
Online or by form at the new health insurer. Most offer online applications.
Be sure to wait for written confirmation of acceptance from the new insurer! Only then proceed to the next step.
Registered letter or A-Post Plus by November 30. The date of RECEIPT at the insurer counts, not the postmark!
First register, then cancel. Basic insurance has mandatory acceptance – but still wait for confirmation. For supplementary insurance, the order is critical: there's no mandatory acceptance, and premature cancellation can leave you uninsured.
⏰ Deadlines: when to act
No extra window after 30 November: it is the notice of the new premium (by 31 October at the latest) that gives you the right to switch at year-end (Federal Health Insurance Act, Art. 7 para. 2), with one month's notice, so your cancellation must reach the insurer by 30 November. This also applies if your premium stays the same. The often-quoted "30 days from the premium invoice" comes from the terms of supplementary insurance and does not apply to basic insurance.
Health insurance quiz
2 questions – test your knowledge
1.What counts for cancellation: postmark or receipt?
2.Can a health insurer reject you in basic insurance?
🧮 Choosing a deductible: CHF 300 or CHF 2,500?
The deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket per year before the health insurer steps in. The higher the deductible, the lower the monthly premium. Levels for adults: CHF 300, 500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000 and 2,500.
Healthcare costs under CHF 1,800/year? → Deductible 2,500 (saves up to CHF 1,540/year in premiums).
Regular doctor visits? → Deductible 300 (insurer covers from the first franc).
Middle deductibles (500–2,000) are usually not worth it – the discount doesn't increase linearly.
In addition to the deductible, you pay a 10% co-payment on all costs above the deductible – max. CHF 700 per year. Your maximum annual out-of-pocket with deductible 2,500: CHF 3,200 (2,500 + 700). Medical costs exceeding 5% of net income are deductible on your tax return.
🏥 Insurance models: the biggest savings lever
After the deductible, the insurance model is the second biggest savings lever. While the 26 cantons have different premium regions, the benefits in basic insurance are identical across all models – only the route to the doctor changes.
First point of contact is an HMO group practice. Interdisciplinary medical team. Biggest discount but limited doctor choice.
For health questions, first call a medical hotline (or app/video). The specialist assesses and refers if needed. More flexible than HMO.
You choose a fixed family doctor as first point of contact. Good discount with your regular doctor.
Free choice of doctor without restrictions. Highest premium. Only makes sense with complex health situations.
🏛️ Individual premium reduction (IPR): the state contributes
Those living in 'modest economic circumstances' are entitled to individual premium reduction (IPR). The calculation is based on income and assets – and varies considerably from canton to canton.
- Who: persons in modest economic circumstances
- Asset limit (ZH): CHF 150,000 (single) / CHF 300,000 (single parents)
- Application: the compensation office sends a form in spring
- Calculation: based on the latest definitive tax data
- Children: in many cantons, children receive IPR automatically
Important: IPR must be actively applied for in most cantons. No form = no reduction.
🛡️ Supplementary insurance: NO mandatory acceptance
Unlike basic insurance, supplementary insurers can reject you. Pre-existing conditions, age, weight – all can be reasons. That's why the golden rule applies:
NEVER cancel your existing supplementary insurance before receiving the unconditional acceptance confirmation from the new insurer. Otherwise you risk being left without coverage.
The cancellation period for supplementary insurance is usually 3 months (by December 31).
⚠️ The 7 costliest mistakes when switching health insurance
Letter arrives December 1 – 1 day too late. A whole year lost.
Cheap provider with poor service = trouble with every statement.
New insurer rejects you. Old coverage gone. Worst case.
Healthy but deductible 300 = hundreds of francs wasted every year.
Free choice instead of a managed-care model = 4–14% more premium for the same basic benefits, depending on the canton.
Entitled but form not submitted = money thrown away.
Switched your own insurer, but left children/partner at the expensive one.
Have you ever switched health insurance?
One click – anonymous, no sign-up required.
❓ Switching health insurance – key answers
Based on FOPH, KVG and priminfo.admin.ch
People also ask
Related questions from our magazine
The median salary is CHF 7,024 gross/month (FSO 2024). After taxes, AHV and health insurance, considerably less remains.
Health insurance premiums, pillar 3a (CHF 7,258), professional expenses and more. Weekly residents also deduct a room, meals and the trip home.
Zug, Schwyz and Appenzell Innerrhoden have the lowest taxes – and the cheapest health insurance offer for 2027 is in the canton of Zug: from CHF 351 a month (adults, CHF 300 deductible).
This article is based on the official FOPH premium rates for 2027, the Health Insurance Act (KVG), the FOPH premium calculator priminfo.admin.ch and current comparison data. All figures have been verified (as of October 2026).
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For exactly the same basic insurance, up to CHF 3'174 a year separate the cheapest and the most expensive insurer in the canton of Uri in 2027, within the same premium region.
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Guide · 06.10.2026