Health insurance in Switzerland (LAMal): how it works
Mandatory insurance, premiums, deductible, co-payment and subsidies: Switzerland's health insurance system (LAMal) explained simply, and why premiums keep rising.
In Switzerland, basic health insurance is mandatory for everyone: every resident must take out a policy with a private insurer within three months of arriving. Basic benefits are set by law (LAMal) and identical everywhere — only the price differs from one insurer to another.
Premium, deductible, co-payment
You pay a monthly premium, independent of your income. When you need care, you first cover an annual “deductible” you have chosen (the higher it is, the lower the premium), then a “co-payment” of 10 % of the remaining costs, capped. Children and low incomes can receive cantonal “subsidies”.
Why premiums keep rising
Every autumn the new premiums are announced, and they rise in most years — ageing, costly new treatments, more medical visits. It is one of the heaviest items in Swiss household budgets, and it regularly comes to a vote.
Frequently asked questions
Is health insurance mandatory in Switzerland?
Yes, basic insurance is mandatory for all residents and must be taken out within three months of arrival.
What is the deductible?
The annual amount of health costs you pay yourself before the insurer takes over. A higher deductible lowers the premium.
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