Health insurance premiums in Switzerland for 2027: How much are they rising and what can you do?
The new Swiss health insurance premiums for 2027 have officially been announced.
During October, you'll receive — or may already have received — a letter from your health insurer confirming how much you'll pay from January 2027.
My advice is simple: don't put that letter away without checking it.
The national average premium increase is 5%, but that doesn't mean everyone will pay exactly 5% more.
Your premium could increase by more, rise by less or even decrease, depending on your insurer, where you live, your deductible and your chosen insurance model.
How much will health insurance cost in Switzerland in 2027?
According to the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH/BAG), the average monthly premium will reach CHF 412 in 2027.
That's an increase of CHF 19.70 per month, or 5% compared with 2026.
The official national averages by age group are:
Adults aged 26 and over: CHF 487.60 per month, up 4.9%.
Young adults aged 19–25: CHF 338.80 per month, up 4.8%.
Children aged 18 and under: CHF 128.10 per month, up 4.6%.
These figures are national averages. They don't necessarily reflect the premium you'll see on your own insurance policy.
What about the canton of Zurich?
In the canton of Zurich, the average monthly premium for adults aged 26 and over will increase from CHF 451.30 in 2026 to CHF 477 in 2027.
That's an average increase of CHF 25.70 per month, or CHF 308.40 per year.
For young adults aged 19–25, the average will be CHF 333.80 per month. For children, it will be CHF 129.90.
But even within the same canton, premiums can vary significantly.
Zurich is divided into different premium regions, and prices may vary depending on your municipality or postcode.
That's why two people of the same age with similar healthcare needs may pay different premiums.
Why are health insurance premiums rising again?
Premiums are increasing because healthcare costs are also rising.
According to the FOPH, the main contributing factors include:
A growing number of medical treatments.
An ageing population.
Advances in medical technology.
New medicines and treatments.
Increases in certain healthcare prices and tariffs.
Greater use of healthcare services.
Health insurers calculate their premiums based on expected healthcare costs.
The FOPH then reviews and approves the proposed premiums to ensure they comply with the applicable legal requirements.
That's why mandatory benefits can be the same across insurers while premiums differ considerably.
The average premium isn't necessarily what you'll pay
When you hear that the average monthly premium is CHF 412, it's important to understand what that figure represents.
It includes people of different ages, living in different cantons, with different deductibles and insurance models.
Your actual premium mainly depends on:
Your age.
Your municipality and canton.
Your chosen health insurer.
Your deductible.
Your insurance model.
Whether accident coverage is included.
The national average helps explain the overall trend, but it doesn't tell you whether your current policy offers good value.
To find that out, you need to compare the options available for your individual circumstances.
What should you check on your 2027 health insurance policy?
1. Your new monthly premium
Compare your 2027 premium with what you're currently paying.
Don't just look at the monthly increase. Calculate the difference over the full year.
An increase of CHF 30 per month means an additional CHF 360 per year.
2. Your deductible
The deductible (Franchise) is the amount you pay towards covered healthcare costs each year before your insurer starts contributing under the applicable cost-sharing rules.
For adults, the available annual deductibles range from CHF 300 to CHF 2,500.
A higher deductible usually means a lower monthly premium, but it also increases the amount you may have to pay yourself if you need medical treatment.
Don't automatically choose the highest deductible just because the premium is cheaper.
Your decision should reflect your healthcare needs, how often you use medical services and your ability to cover unexpected expenses.
Remember that the deductible is not your only potential out-of-pocket expense: other statutory cost-sharing rules can also apply.
3. Your insurance model
For 2027, Priminfo uses the following categories to distinguish between health insurance models:
Standard: Greater freedom to choose your doctor.
PRAXIS / HMO: Your first point of contact is a designated medical practice or healthcare centre.
TEL-DIG: You generally contact a telephone, app-based or telemedicine service first.
PHARM: A participating pharmacy may be your first point of contact.
FLEX: You can choose between different initial contact options, subject to the policy conditions.
Alternative insurance models can reduce your monthly premium, but you must follow their rules.
The cheapest model isn't always the most suitable one for how you prefer to access medical care.
4. Accident coverage
If you're employed and already have accident insurance through your employer, it's worth checking whether you need accident coverage included in your health insurance policy.
Employees who work at least eight hours per week for the same employer are generally covered for non-occupational accidents through their employer's accident insurance.
If that applies to you, you may be able to suspend accident coverage under your mandatory health insurance and reduce your premium.
5. Prämienverbilligung or health insurance premium subsidies
Depending on your income, household and canton, you may qualify for financial assistance towards your mandatory health insurance premiums.
This is known as Prämienverbilligung in German-speaking Switzerland and is often referred to as a health insurance premium subsidy or subside d'assurance-maladie in French-speaking cantons.
Eligibility requirements and application procedures vary by canton.
If health insurance is putting pressure on your household budget, it's worth checking whether you qualify.
What's the deadline for switching health insurers?
Your insurer must inform you of your 2027 premium before the end of October.
If you want to switch mandatory basic health insurance providers with effect from 1 January 2027, your cancellation must reach your current insurer by 30 November 2026.
Sending it on 30 November isn't enough if the insurer receives it after the deadline.
Priminfo recommends sending your cancellation well in advance, ideally before 15 November, using a delivery method that provides proof of receipt.
Supplementary health insurance follows different rules and may have different contractual cancellation deadlines.
It's important not to confuse the two.
Will you lose benefits if you switch health insurers?
No. The benefits provided under mandatory basic health insurance are defined by Swiss law and are the same across all authorised insurers.
However, other aspects of your insurance can differ, including:
Your monthly premium.
Your healthcare model.
Your deductible.
How medical bills are processed.
The insurer's app and digital services.
Customer service and administration.
An insurer cannot reject your application for mandatory basic health insurance because of your age or medical history.
My recommendation for 2027
Don't switch insurers simply because you've found a lower premium.
First, check:
How much you'll pay over the full year.
Which deductible you can realistically afford.
What steps you must follow before seeing a doctor.
Whether your preferred doctor is available under the chosen model.
Whether you need accident coverage.
Whether you qualify for a premium subsidy.
Making the right decision isn't just about paying less. It's about avoiding unnecessary costs while choosing insurance that genuinely suits your needs.
Compare health insurance premiums for 2027
You can use the health insurance comparison tool on my website to explore the options available in Switzerland.
Simply enter your postcode, year of birth and relevant information to compare premiums and consider which deductible may suit your circumstances.
Would you like me to review your situation personally?
Every individual and family has different needs.
If you're unsure which deductible to choose, which insurance model you have or whether switching insurers would be worthwhile, I can review your current policy with you.
I'll explain the options clearly, help you compare suitable alternatives and assist with the process.
I'm Jesús Gómez, a FINMA-registered insurance advisor in Switzerland (registration number F01575262). I help residents and newcomers understand their insurance options and make informed decisions.
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