Taking out health insurance

Every person in Switzerland needs health insurance. You have 3 months to do this. Here you see how it works.

In Switzerland, health insurance (Krankenkasse) is compulsory. This applies to all people living here. Also to children.

The deadline: 3 months

You must register with a health insurance within 3 months. The deadline starts with your registration at the municipality. The cover then applies retroactively from this day.

You also pay the premium (monthly contribution) retroactively. Every person needs their own insurance. Every child too, there is no family insurance.

Basic insurance (Grundversicherung)

The compulsory insurance is called basic insurance (Grundversicherung). It pays for doctor, hospital and medication. The benefits are the same at all insurers, only the price is different.

Deductible (Franchise): simply explained

The deductible (Franchise) is an amount per year. You pay this amount yourself first. Only after that does the insurer pay.

The smallest deductible for adults is CHF 300. Children have no compulsory deductible. A higher deductible makes the premium cheaper, but you pay more when you are ill.

On top of that comes the co-payment (Selbstbehalt): 10 percent of the costs. Maximum CHF 700 per year for adults.

Comparing insurers

Compare the prices on priminfo.admin.ch. This page is from the federal government and without advertising. With a higher deductible or a family doctor model (Hausarzt-Modell) you save money.

Premium reduction (Prämienverbilligung)

Do you have little money? Then the canton may pay part of the premium. This is called premium reduction (Prämienverbilligung).

In Kanton Luzern you ask at the AHV branch office (AHV-Zweigstelle) of your municipality. It is usually at the municipal administration. You may be entitled to it, the canton checks this.

What you can do now

  1. Compare insurers on priminfo.admin.ch. Choose a deductible.
  2. Register with an insurer. For every person in the family.
  3. Ask at the AHV branch office of your municipality about premium reduction.
  4. Unsure? FABIA or the Welcome Desk help you for free.
  5. Emergency? Call 144.

This app does not replace a doctor or counselling.

Bundesamt für Gesundheit BAG, Versicherungspflicht (2026-09-21)

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