Swiss health insurance too expensive? Is there help?
Yes. Every canton runs a premium subsidy, the Prämienverbilligung, for people with modest incomes, and pays it straight to your insurer. For children in families with lower and middle incomes, it covers at least 80 percent of the premium. The canton decides who qualifies and how you apply.
Ep. 66 · Ueli's Word · 67 seconds. Watch
The real rule
Why the Swiss laugh, and what it means if you're new here.
Swiss health insurance costs the same per person whatever you earn, so every canton runs a subsidy, the Prämienverbilligung, for households with modest incomes. The canton decides who qualifies and how to apply, and pays the money straight to your insurer; for children in lower and middle-income families it covers at least 80% of the premium. Some cantons, like Zurich, send a pre-filled form to people their tax data says may qualify, but you still have to send it back. New arrivals without Swiss tax data should check their canton's calculator and apply themselves.
Blüemli's verdict: Ding. Every canton has one. For modest incomes the canton pays part of the premium. For children: at least 80%, in lower and middle incomes.
PRÄMIENVERBILLIGUNG: literally: “premium cheapening”; really: your canton pays part of your health insurance Ueli's Word
Be like Ueli. Check your canton. Then send the form.
Learn more: Swiss health insurance for expats
The rule, explained
The Federal Office of Public Health, FOPH, explains the subsidy in its fact sheet Prämienverbilligung of 23 September 2025. The cantons reduce the premiums of insured people in modest economic circumstances. For families with lower and middle incomes, children's premiums are reduced by at least 80 percent, and those of young adults in training by at least 50 percent. The cantons decide who qualifies, the amount and the procedure, and they pay the reduction directly to the insurers. In 2024, about CHF 6.6 billion was paid out. In Zurich, the SVA Zürich explains that people who presumably qualify, based on the last definitive tax data, receive a pre-filled application. Others can check with the online calculator and apply online. A decision can take up to six months. So the form only helps once it goes back.
Sources: FOPH (BAG), fact sheet Prämienverbilligung, 23 September 2025; SVA Zürich, Häufige Fragen zur Prämienverbilligung; SVA Zürich, Prämienverbilligung 2027
Questions people ask
Who pays the Swiss premium subsidy?
The canton. It decides who qualifies and pays the reduction directly to the insurer (FOPH fact sheet).
How much is the subsidy for children?
For families with lower and middle incomes, at least 80 percent of the children's premium; for young adults in training, at least 50 percent (FOPH fact sheet).
Do I have to apply for the premium subsidy in Zurich?
If you presumably qualify, you receive a pre-filled application, which you must send back. Otherwise, check the online calculator and apply online (SVA Zürich).
More episodes
Previous: Swiss health insurance: how do you pay less? Next: Why do Swiss police patrol quiet streets in winter?