--- title: "How to Switch Your Swiss Krankenkasse and Save on 2027 Premiums" description: "A 2027 Swiss guide to switching health insurance: deadlines, how to compare premiums, choosing your franchise (CHF 300 vs 2,500), and the supplementary VVG add-ons that are actually worth it." date: 2026-05-12 updated: 2026-05-12 language: en canonical: https://finch-agent.ch/blog/how-to-switch-krankenkasse-save-2027-premiums source: Finch (https://finch-agent.ch) --- # How to Switch Your Swiss Krankenkasse and Save on 2027 Premiums **Quick answer:** No. Basic insurance under the KVG/LAMal is mandatory and every insurer must accept any applicant residing in Switzerland, regardless of age, health status, or claims history. 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 - **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. - **Pick your model and franchise** (more on this below). - **Apply to the new insurer** first. Basic coverage _must_ be accepted — they cannot reject you for health reasons. - **Send a registered cancellation letter** to your current insurer so it arrives by 30 November 2026. Specify the cancellation date as 31 December 2026. - **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 ## FAQ **Can my Swiss health insurer reject me when I switch basic coverage?** No. Basic insurance under the KVG/LAMal is mandatory and every insurer must accept any applicant residing in Switzerland, regardless of age, health status, or claims history. **What is the deadline to switch Krankenkasse for 2027?** Your written cancellation must reach your current insurer by 30 November 2026 (postmark counts). Always send it by registered mail and keep the receipt. **Should I choose a CHF 300 or CHF 2,500 franchise in Switzerland?** Choose CHF 2,500 if you are healthy and rarely use healthcare — the premium discount usually outweighs the higher risk if you spend under ~CHF 500–800 per year. Choose CHF 300 if you have chronic conditions, regular medication, or are pregnant. **Can I keep my supplementary VVG insurance and only switch basic coverage?** Yes. Basic (KVG) and supplementary (VVG) contracts are independent. You can switch basic coverage to a cheaper insurer while keeping your existing supplementary policy. **Which supplementary add-ons are worth paying for?** Worldwide travel and emergency cover usually has the best price-to-benefit ratio. Outpatient supplementary is worth it if you actively use alternative medicine, glasses, or prevention. Hospital semi-private/private is expensive and only justified if free doctor choice or a private room genuinely matters to you. --- Published by Finch — the Swiss personal finance app. Canonical version: https://finch-agent.ch/blog/how-to-switch-krankenkasse-save-2027-premiums