Basic health insurance (LAMal)
Compulsory for everyone living in Switzerland, basic insurance reimburses the same services at every insurer. Only the price changes: that's why comparing pays off so well.
Updated on 10.10.2026 · Official sources cited
412.00 CHFaverage premium 2027
487.60 CHFadult average
128.10 CHFchild average
What LAMal covers
Doctor's visits, medicines on the official list, hospital stays in a general ward in your canton, maternity, some preventive checks, prescribed physiotherapy, and accidents if you are not covered by an employer.
What you pay on top of the premium
- The deductible: from 300 to 2'500 CHF a year for adults, from 0 to 600 CHF for children.
- The co-payment: 10% of costs above the deductible, capped at 700 CHF a year for an adult and 350 CHF for a child.
- The hospital contribution: 15 CHF per day in hospital for adults (exemptions in particular for children, young people in education and maternity).
The four levers to pay less
- The insurer: for identical cover, the gap between the cheapest and the most expensive often exceeds 100 CHF a month.
- The deductible: the higher it is, the lower the premium. Useful if you have few medical costs.
- The model: family doctor, HMO or telemedicine give you a discount.
- Accident cover: if you work at least 8 hours a week for the same employer, they already cover you and you can drop it.
Good to know
An insurer cannot refuse you for basic insurance, whatever your age or health. You can switch every year without a medical questionnaire.