How much can you save by switching health insurance in Switzerland?
By Jan de Boer
Though we are often told that changing your basic health insurance can save you a lot of money, it is often unclear whether a switch is worth it. Now, a new study by Axa has revealed that in most cases, over 1.000 francs could be saved by changing providers regularly.
Health insurance the biggest worry in Switzerland
Since 2023, the cost of health insurance in Switzerland has soared. Having announced a 5,2 percent average rise for premiums in 2023, the government confirmed an 8,7 percent hike for 2024 and a 6 percent increase for 2025.
While a majority of people in Switzerland approve of their health insurer, rising prices have begun to take their toll. Despite the country voting against a cap on premiums in June 2024, the rising cost of health insurance has been ranked as the most pressing worry among the population.
Swiss health insurance: How much can be saved by switching?
Now, Axa has revealed that on average, if a person was attentive and switched their health insurance provider every autumn since 2022, choosing the cheapest deal which offered the same coverage, they could have saved 1.352 francs. 19-25 year olds would have saved 1.093 francs in three years, while a family of two adults and two children could have saved 3.844 francs.
They added that switching every year remains the best way to get the most affordable insurance. They found that if you could have saved 500 francs a year off your premium for 2023, you would have been able to save 300 francs for 2024 and 200 francs for 2025.
Who would benefit most from switching health insurers?
Comparing 2025 premiums in isolation, those in French-speaking Switzerland would have gotten the most out of switching premiums in the autumn of last year. They would have saved 594 francs per person, compared to 540 francs in Italian-speaking areas and just 428 francs in German-speaking Switzerland.
By canton, those in Geneva had the most to save by switching with an average of 662 francs a year, followed by Ticino (594 francs) and Vaud (553 francs). The smallest savings were reported in Nidwalden at 318 francs a year, followed by Appenzell Innerrhoden (326 francs) and Obwalden (332 francs).
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Jan studied History at the University of York and Broadcast Journalism at the University of Sheffield. Though born in York, Jan has lived most of his life in Zurich and has worked as a journalist, writer and editor since 2016.
While he has plunged head-first back into life in Switzerland since returning to the country in 2020, he still enjoys a taste of home at pub quizzes and karaoke nights.Read more