How to Switch Your Swiss Krankenkasse and Save on 2027 Premiums

Every autumn, Swiss residents receive a letter that quietly drains their wallet: the new health insurance premium notice. For 2027, basic premiums are again expected to rise across most cantons. The good news — under Swiss law (KVG/LAMal), you can switch your Krankenkasse (basic health insurance) every year, and a smart switch can easily save a household CHF 1,500–3,000 per year with no loss of coverage.

This guide walks you through exactly how to switch for 1 January 2027, how to choose between a CHF 300 and a CHF 2,500 franchise, and which supplementary VVG add-ons are actually worth paying for.

Key dates for the 2027 switch

• End of September 2026: The Federal Office of Public Health (BAG/OFSP) publishes 2027 premiums. New rates are also sent to you by your insurer.
• 30 November 2026 (postmark): Final deadline to cancel your basic insurance for 1 January 2027.
• 1 January 2027: Your new basic insurance starts.

For supplementary VVG insurance, cancellation deadlines are usually three months before year-end (30 September) — and crucially, an insurer can refuse you. Always secure VVG acceptance before you cancel basic coverage.

Step-by-step: how to switch for 2027

1. Compare 2027 premiums using the official BAG comparison tool (priminfo.admin.ch) or independent comparators like Comparis or Bonus.ch. Filter by canton, age group, franchise, and insurance model.
2. Pick your model and franchise (more on this below).
3. Apply to the new insurer first. Basic coverage must be accepted — they cannot reject you for health reasons.
4. Send a registered cancellation letter to your current insurer so it arrives by 30 November 2026. Specify the cancellation date as 31 December 2026.
5. Keep proof of postage. Without it, an insurer can dispute the deadline.

Understanding the franchise: should you choose CHF 300 or CHF 2,500?

The franchise (Franchise / franchise / franchigia) is the annual amount you pay out of pocket before basic insurance starts to cover costs. Adults can choose between CHF 300, 500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000 or 2,500. On top of the franchise, there is a 10% co-payment (Selbstbehalt) capped at CHF 700/year for adults.

How to think about it (the only formula you need)

Compare your two options on a worst-case and best-case basis:

• Best case (you have almost no costs): Annual savings of the higher franchise vs. CHF 300 = (premium discount) × 12.
• Worst case (you exceed the franchise): Extra out-of-pocket cost = (your franchise − 300).

The CHF 2,500 franchise is only worth it if your annual premium discount exceeds the extra CHF 2,200 risk. In most cantons in 2026, the discount for going from CHF 300 to CHF 2,500 is roughly CHF 1,300–1,700/year, so the break-even is reached only if you spend less than ~CHF 500–800/year on healthcare.

Quick rule of thumb

• Choose CHF 2,500 if you are healthy, rarely visit a doctor, take no recurring prescriptions, and could absorb a CHF 2,500 + 700 = CHF 3,200 worst-case bill in a bad year.
• Choose CHF 300 if you have chronic conditions, ongoing physiotherapy, regular medication, are pregnant or planning to be, or simply prefer predictable costs.
• CHF 1,500 or 2,000 are often the smartest middle-ground for moderately healthy adults.
• Children: Default to CHF 0. The discount for higher franchises is small and kids' costs are unpredictable.

Pick the right insurance model — the easiest 15% saving

Switching from the standard model to an alternative model typically cuts your premium by 8–20% with virtually no downside if you already have a regular GP.

• Hausarztmodell / médecin de famille: You always go to your assigned GP first. Cheapest after HMO, very flexible.
• HMO: You use a designated group practice. Cheapest model, less flexibility.
• Telmed: You call a medical hotline (Medgate, Sanacare, etc.) before any non-emergency visit. Big discounts, works well if you are tech-comfortable.
• Pharmacy model: A partner pharmacy is your first stop. Available with insurers like Helsana, CSS, Sanitas.

Combining an alternative model with a higher franchise often delivers the largest savings.

Supplementary insurance (VVG): which add-ons are actually worth it?

Supplementary insurance (Zusatzversicherung / assurance complémentaire) is governed by the VVG, not the KVG. It is optional, insurers can reject applicants, and contracts are usually annual with a 3-month notice. Most Swiss residents are over-insured here — review yours every 2–3 years.

Worth considering for most people

• Outpatient supplementary (ambulant): Covers contributions to glasses/contact lenses, gym, prevention, vaccinations, alternative medicine (osteopathy, TCM, homeopathy), check-ups abroad. Worth it if you actually use any of these. Typical cost: CHF 15–40/month.
• Worldwide travel & emergency cover: Often the best CHF/benefit ratio. Includes repatriation and emergency treatment outside Switzerland. Typical cost: CHF 5–15/month.
• Dental for children/teens: Useful only if orthodontics are likely. Adults usually pay less out of pocket than the premium.

Often overpriced

• Hospital semi-private / private: CHF 100–400+/month per adult. Justified if you want free choice of doctor or a private room — but premiums rise sharply with age and insurers can adjust them. Many switch to "general ward in all of Switzerland" (general flex) instead.
• Hospital daily allowance (Spitaltaggeld): Mostly redundant if you already have salary protection through your employer (Krankentaggeldversicherung).
• "All-in-one" packages: Bundled outpatient + inpatient + dental are rarely the cheapest path. Quote each module separately.

The golden rule of VVG

Never cancel VVG before you have written acceptance from a new provider. If you have a chronic condition and a hospital supplement that is hard to replace, sometimes it is smarter to keep the existing VVG and only switch basic insurance.

How much can you actually save?

A typical 35-year-old in Zurich with the standard model and CHF 300 franchise pays around CHF 470/month in 2026. Switching to a cheaper insurer + Hausarztmodell + CHF 2,500 franchise can bring that down to CHF 290–330/month. Over a year that is CHF 1,700–2,200 saved — for the same legally-mandated coverage.

Track the savings, not just the switch

The biggest mistake is switching once and forgetting. Premiums shift every year, and your old insurer almost never volunteers a discount. Re-compare every September, set a calendar reminder for 15 November, and keep your cancellation template ready. A finance app that consolidates your accounts (like Finch) makes it easy to spot the new monthly debit and verify the savings landed.

FAQ