Switch Health Insurance in Switzerland for 2027
Premiums are rising again. The annual switching window is your chance to lower your health insurance costs — but the cancellation letter must reach your insurer by 30 November 2026. Here is exactly what to do.
1. How to switch — step by step
Wait for your 2027 premium notification
Your insurer must send you your 2027 premium by 31 October 2026. Once you have that letter, you know what you are comparing against.
Compare on priminfo.admin.ch
Use priminfo.admin.ch — the neutral federal comparison tool run by the BAG — to see exact premiums for your postcode, age, franchise level, and preferred model. This is the authoritative starting point.
Check for outstanding premium debt
If you received a formal payment reminder (Mahnung) and have unpaid premiums, you cannot switch until the debt is cleared. Settle any outstanding amounts before proceeding.
Sign up with your new insurer
Apply directly with the new insurer for coverage from 1 January 2027. Insurers must accept everyone for basic insurance regardless of health status. Do this before cancelling — do not wait for the old insurer's confirmation.
Send your cancellation letter by 15 November
Write to your current insurer cancelling your basic insurance (Grundversicherung) as of 31 December 2026. Send by registered mail (A-Post Plus / eingeschrieben) by 15 November at the latest. Keep the postal receipt. The letter must physically arrive by 30 November.
Keep your current policy until December
Your existing coverage continues until 31 December 2026. Your new insurer takes over on 1 January 2027. You will not have a coverage gap.
2. Five ways to lower your 2027 premium
Comparis forecasts approximately +3.7% average increase for 2027 (prognosis as of mid-2026, not the final figure). The average premium for 2026 was CHF 393.30/month. Use these levers to counter the rise.
Raise your franchise to CHF 2,500
Higher deductible = lower monthly premium. The CHF 2,500 franchise typically saves several hundred CHF per year for people with low expected medical costs.
Switch to Telmed or HMO model
Alternative models (Hausarzt, HMO, Telmed) give premium discounts of typically 12% or more versus the standard free-choice model, in exchange for a gatekeeper first contact.
Remove accident cover if employed ≥8 h/week
If you work at least 8 hours per week with one employer, workplace accidents are covered by your employer's UVG insurance. Removing accident cover from your basic insurance saves on premiums.
Pay annually instead of monthly
Many Swiss insurers offer a discount for paying the full year's premium in one payment instead of monthly installments. Ask your new insurer whether this applies.
Check whether your canton has cheaper insurers
The cheapest insurer varies significantly by postcode. Use priminfo.admin.ch to find the lowest premium for your specific situation.
Note: +3.7% forecast for 2027 is a Comparis prognosis (May 2026), not the final federal announcement. Actual premium notifications will arrive by 31 October 2026.
3. Compare and sign up
The Swiss government runs a free, neutral premium comparison tool that shows exact premiums for any combination of postcode, age, franchise, and model:
Official federal comparison tool, run by the BAG (Federal Office of Public Health). Shows all licensed insurers and their premiums for your exact situation. No commercial interests — this is the neutral starting point.
Compare on priminfo.admin.ch →
- Highest customer satisfaction scores — Comparis 2025
- Dedicated English-speaking expat support
- Excellent digital tools & wellness reimbursements
- Free personalised consultation to find the right plan
4. Copy-paste cancellation letter
Fill in the highlighted placeholders and send by registered mail (A-Post Plus) by 15 November 2026. Keep the postal receipt as proof.
Cancellation letter — Swiss basic insurance (Grundversicherung)
[Your full name] [Your address] [Postcode, City] [City], [Date] [Name of your current insurer] [Insurer address] Re: Cancellation of basic health insurance — Policy No. [YOUR INSURANCE NUMBER] Dear Sir or Madam, I hereby give notice of cancellation of my basic health insurance (Grundversicherung / KVG) with your company, with effect from 31 December 2026. Please confirm the cancellation in writing. Yours sincerely, [Your signature] [Your full name] --- Send by registered mail (A-Post Plus / eingeschrieben) by 15 November 2026. Keep the postal receipt. The receipt date at your insurer counts, not the postmark.
5. Frequently asked questions
Your written cancellation must physically arrive at your insurer by 30 November 2026. The receipt date counts — not the postmark. Send by registered mail (A-Post Plus / eingeschrieben) by 15 November to guarantee delivery in time.
No. If you received a formal payment reminder (Mahnung) for outstanding premiums by 30 November, you cannot switch until those debts are settled. Clear any outstanding amounts before sending your cancellation.
Yes, but only in one specific case: if you are on the standard model (free choice of doctor, freie Arztwahl) with the minimum CHF 300 franchise, you may cancel per 30 June. Your cancellation must arrive at your insurer by 31 March. For all other models or franchises, only the 30 November annual deadline applies.
No. Sign up with your new insurer as soon as you have compared. Do not wait for a confirmation from your old insurer. The new insurer will handle the handover. Your current coverage continues until 31 December regardless.
Yes. Swiss law requires every insurer to accept all applicants for basic insurance (Grundversicherung) regardless of age, health status, or pre-existing conditions. No insurer can reject you.
Supplementary insurance has different cancellation rules — typically 3 months' notice to the end of the contract period. Insurers can reject you for supplementary insurance based on health status. If you switch basic insurance, you do not automatically switch supplementary insurance. Check your supplementary contract separately before making any changes.