Basic health insurance (LaMal/KVG) is compulsory for everyone living in Switzerland, and you generally need to arrange it within three months of arrival, with cover backdated to your arrival date.
What drives the premium
- Your canton and municipality of residence, premiums vary significantly by region
- Your age group
- The deductible (Franchise) you choose, a higher deductible usually means a lower monthly premium
- The insurance model, standard free choice of doctor versus a family-doctor or telemedicine model, which is usually cheaper
How to actually save
Basic cover is standardised by law, the benefits are identical across insurers, so price and service are what differ. Comparing premiums across insurers every autumn, when you can switch for the following year, is the single highest-value thing most residents never do.
Choosing a higher deductible only pays off if you are healthy and rarely see a doctor: run the maths on your likely annual healthcare use before assuming the highest deductible is cheapest overall.
Best for / avoid if
Best for: healthy adults comfortable with a family-doctor or telemedicine model, who want the lowest defensible premium.
Avoid if: you have ongoing specialist care needs, a restrictive model can add friction getting referrals.
Frequently asked questions
How much does this actually cost in Switzerland?
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What should a newcomer choose first?
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What mistake should I avoid?
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