Basic and supplementary insurance
Basic insurance is compulsory, while supplementary insurance is voluntary. Swiss healthcare costs are rising every year.
You can find facts and answers to your questions about the two insurance types here.
Basic insurance
Mandatory healthcare insurance (OKP) is, as the name suggests, compulsory. All persons resident in Switzerland must be insured with a Swiss health insurer from birth or from the time they move to Switzerland.
- All health insurers pay the same benefits in accordance with the Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG).
- To cover other benefits, we recommend that you take out supplementary insurance.
Mandatory healthcare insurance (OKP) covers medically necessary treatment in the event of illness, accident and maternity. This includes medical services, medication, laboratory costs, certain treatments and hospital stays in your canton of residence.
Some of the benefits:
- Complementary medical treatment only if provided by trained doctors
Acupuncture, anthroposophic medicine, treatment using preparations from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), classic homeopathy and phytotherapy. - Preventive examinations
These are not insured, except for certain paediatric and gynaecological treatments or examinations such as vaccinations and mammograms - Visual aids
Children and young people up to the age of 18 receive a contribution for glasses and contact lenses if prescribed by a doctor. For adults, medically indicated cases may be an exception. - Inpatient hospitalisation
In principle, only hospitalisation costs in your canton of residence are insured. Basic insurance also pays for the hospitals on the hospital list for the canton of residence. - Rescue and emergency transport
A medically indicated trip by ambulance is reimbursed at 50%, up to a maximum of CHF 500 per calendar year. For rescues of people whose lives are in danger, 50% of the costs are covered, up to an amount of CHF 5,000. Mandatory healthcare insurance covers the planned costs, after deduction of the deductible and excess.
Basic insurance premiums 2026, FAQs
Basic insurance premiums give rise to questions every year. We want to create complete transparency for you.
The figures mentioned in the media are Swiss averages. Your personal premium depends on:
- Your canton or region of residence
- Your age group
- Your chosen insurance model (Standard, EGK-Care, EGK-TelCare)
For this reason, the adjustment varies depending on the situation.
Healthcare costs are continuing to rise. Some reasons for the increase in costs:
- Advances in medicine lead to more expensive treatments
- Ageing population with higher demand for services
- More outpatient hospital treatment, which is covered in full by basic insurance
- High medication costs and a low uptake of generics
- In previous years, premiums were deliberately kept low due to political pressure (corona)
We are focusing on long-term stability:
- Careful negotiations with hospitals, doctors and other service providers
- Lean management and digital processes
- Promotion of cheaper models (EGK-Care, EGK-TelCare)
- Solid reserve policy to cushion fluctuations
We calculate the expected costs for your group of insured persons every year. This forecast is reviewed and approved by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).
Influencing factors are:
- Healthcare services
- Your place of residence and age group
- Your chosen insurance model
- Demographic trends
- Review deductible: Higher deductible = lower premium
- Switch insurance model: From Standard to EGK-Care or EGK-TelCare
- Cancel accident cover if insured through your employer
- Check entitlement to premium reduction with your canton
Regional healthcare costs vary according to hospital structure, price level and medical care.
Actual costs may differ from forecasts. In addition, official regulations affect reserve policy, while benefit developments influence the amount of premiums.
Take care of your health by exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep and avoiding addictive substances whenever possible. All of this can reduce the risk of disease. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee.
Further measures:
- Choose EGK-Care or EGK-TelCare for better coordination and lower costs
- Use generics if possible
- Only visit the emergency department in a real emergency. Otherwise, consult your GP or contact the telemedicine centre
- Review treatments with your doctor
The federal government levies incentive taxes on environmentally harmful substances. This money flows back to the population via health insurers. In 2026, you will receive an amount of CHF 61.80, which will be offset against your basic insurance premiums, equivalent to CHF 5.15 per month.
The KVG solvency test shows how high the risks are for health insurers and the extent to which they are able to bear these risks financially. The test defines the requirements for the minimum reserve level: an insurer must still be able to meet all its financial obligations at the end of the year, even if it has been a particularly bad year.
Such an exceptionally bad year corresponds to a scenario that statistically only occurs once in a hundred years. In other words: The KVG solvency test sets the probability of such a “catastrophe” at 1%. The required minimum reserve must therefore be sufficient to cushion the average loss of such an extreme year.
Do you have any questions about your personal premium?
Our staff will be happy to help you.
Supplementary insurance
Unlike basic insurance, supplementary insurance is voluntary. Such policies are subject to a medical examination at the time of conclusion. If your application for insurance is accepted, you will receive confirmation of admission.
Note: Do not cancel existing supplementary insurance policies until confirmation of admission from the new insurer.
Supplementary to the benefits provided under mandatory healthcare insurance, the insurance for conventional and natural medicine covers the costs for medically necessary treatment.
Some advantages:
- Inpatient stay in hospital: Services throughout Switzerland
- Complementary medicine therapies: With more than 14,000 recognised therapists and naturopaths
- Preventive measures: Vaccinations, fitness, check-ups, contributions to gym membership, contributions to non-prescription medication
- Visual aids: A contribution is provided for children and adults
- Orthodontics for children: 80%, up to a maximum of CHF 10,000 per calendar year
- Emergency transport: In Switzerland and abroad up to CHF 100,000 per calendar year
