In Switzerland, health insurance is mandatory – and for many newcomers, it is one of the most expensive and confusing topics.
Since there are many insurers and packages available, it is easy to make the wrong decision and pay unnecessarily high premiums for months or even years.
In this article, I will explain in simple terms what to pay attention to so you can make a smart choice.
✅ 1️⃣ Mandatory insurance: GrundversicherungThe mandatory basic insurance is called Grundversicherung (KVG/LAMal).
Important to know:
Every insurer provides the same legally required basic coverage.
The difference is mainly in price, administration, and the selected model.
So if someone claims that one insurer offers “much more” in basic insurance, that is usually not true.
💸 2️⃣ The most important decision: FranchiseThe franchise is the annual amount you must pay yourself before the insurance starts covering medical costs.
Common franchise amounts:
300 CHF (low)
2’500 CHF (high)
📌 Basic rule:
If you visit the doctor frequently → a low franchise (300 CHF) may be better.
If you are rarely ill → a high franchise (2’500 CHF) results in a lower monthly premium.
🧾 3️⃣ Deductible (Selbstbehalt) – what many people forgetAfter the franchise, there is still a deductible:
usually 10%, up to a maximum of approx. 700 CHF per year (for adults)
This means that even after the franchise, healthcare is not completely “free.”
🏥 4️⃣ Which model is best? (HMO / Hausarzt / Telmed)Insurers offer different models that influence the price:
🔹 Hausarzt model (family doctor)You must first consult your designated family doctor.
🔹 Telmed modelYou must first contact the insurer via phone or app before seeing a doctor.
🔹 HMO modelYou must use a specific medical center (HMO).
📌 Telmed and HMO models are usually cheaper, but less flexible.
🏆 5️⃣ Supplementary insurance: ZusatzversicherungSupplementary insurance is not mandatory.
It can be useful for:
better hospital coverage (semi-private/private)
dental treatment
glasses
alternative medicine
extended coverage abroad
⚠️ Important:
For supplementary insurance, a health assessment may be required, and the insurer can reject your application.
📅 6️⃣ When can you switch?Basic insurance can generally be changed once per year.
The deadline is usually the end of November for the following year.
That is why it is advisable to compare prices in autumn.
✅ 7️⃣ Swiss TV Info tip – How to choose quickly and wiselyDecide on the franchise (300 or 2’500)
Choose a model (Hausarzt / Telmed / HMO)
Check which insurer is cheaper in your canton
Take supplementary insurance only if you really need it
⚠️ Common mistakes❌ An agent adds an expensive supplementary insurance that you did not request.
❌ You do not understand the franchise + deductible system.
❌ You do not follow the rules of your selected model (and later the insurer refuses payment).
🔍 SummaryThe right choice in Switzerland is not the “most popular” insurer, but the one that:
fits your health situation
offers a good price in your canton
provides a model that you can realistically follow
Swiss TV Info – Practical information about Switzerland.
