Majority worried about how they will pay for health insurance, survey finds

Responding to the news that health insurance premiums are going up by an average of 4,4 percent in 2026, a majority of people in Switzerland have said that the monthly costs are becoming an increasingly unaffordable burden. Two in three are in favour of establishing a single health insurance fund. 

People in Switzerland worried about paying for health insurance

The cost of health insurance in Switzerland is swallowing up more and more of people’s budgets, according to a new survey conducted by LeeWas GmbH last week on behalf of 20 Minuten and Tamedia. 

Asked about the Federal Council’s announcement that health insurance premiums would go up by an average of 4,4 percent in 2026, 53 percent of survey respondents said the increase would weigh heavily on their finances. 

A further 9 percent said it would make it very difficult for them to pay for their health insurance, and 5 percent said they didn’t know how they would cope financially. 28 percent said the increase would not have a significant impact on their finances. Splitting the results by gender shows that women (71 percent) say they are more concerned than men (63 percent). 

Idea of single health insurance fund gaining popularity

When asked about ways Switzerland could reduce costs in the healthcare system and health insurance system, 58 percent of survey respondents said they were opposed to the idea of reducing the number of hospitals, compared to 36 percent who were in favour of the idea. 

While the idea of a single, public health insurance fund has twice been rejected by referendum, it was actually more popular as a way to cut costs. 45 percent of survey respondents said they supported the idea, and a further 23 percent said they were somewhat in favour. 

Cost of health insurance up nearly 40% in 10 years

The cost of health insurance has increased significantly over the last 10 years. According to a 2024 analysis by moneyland.ch, the cost of basic health insurance - the minimum level of cover required by law - has gone up by 38,2 percent over the past 10 years. In 2015, the average premium for basic insurance was 274,10 francs, compared to 378,70 francs in 2024. 

The Swiss Socialist Party is expected to launch a new initiative this month that would link a person’s health insurance premium to their income, potentially reducing premiums for around 85 per cent of the population.