Swiss Health Insurance Premiums by 2040: What Doubling Would Really Mean

What the forecast is about

On 6 October 2026, the Swiss daily 20 Minuten reported that a health economist at ZHAW (Zurich University of Applied Sciences) expects annual cost growth of 5% or more. On that path, adult premiums would be more than twice today's level by 2040. According to the report, spending on basic insurance has nearly doubled over the past 20 years.

In the same report, the Swiss budget counselling association (Budgetberatung Schweiz) said premiums are already barely affordable for many households. Note: this is an expert estimate, not an official federal forecast. The federal government only publishes premiums for the following year.

Worked example: the 2027 premium at 3%, 4% and 5% growth

The starting point is the official 2027 average monthly premium for adults of CHF 487.60 (Federal Office of Public Health, FOPH; +4.9% on 2026). The table shows where that amount would go with a constant annual increase:

These figures are compound-growth calculations, not predictions. At 5% a year, the average adult premium would rise by about CHF 432 a month, or about CHF 5,180 a year, by 2040.

Why premiums keep rising

For the 2027 premium round, the FOPH names several cost drivers: more treatments, medical innovation and technology, an ageing population and rising costs per sick person. On top of that come higher cantonal outpatient and hospital tariffs since 2024 and the introduction of the new outpatient tariff system (TARDOC and outpatient flat rates).

Across all age groups, the average premium rises by 5.0% to CHF 412 a month in 2027. For young adults it is CHF 338.80, for children CHF 128.10.

How much room there already is today

By Swiss law, basic insurance (KVG/LAMal) coverage is identical at every insurer. Differences come only from the price, your chosen deductible (CHF 300 to CHF 2,500 for adults) and the insurance model. Our analysis of 2027 premiums across all 42 premium regions (adults, without accident cover, unweighted average of regions):

A higher deductible lowers the premium, but you pay a larger share of medical bills yourself. Whether that adds up depends on your own healthcare costs.

Worked example: if the CHF 1,358.40 annual gap stays the same in percentage terms and all premiums rise by 5% a year, it adds up to about CHF 17,086 over 10 years instead of CHF 13,584.

What you can compare before 30 November

Your insurer must tell you your 2027 premium by the end of October. You can switch basic insurer or model until the end of November: your cancellation must reach the insurer by 30 November 2026, and the switch takes effect on 1 January 2027.

• Your new 2027 premium against other insurers' offers in your premium region
• The premium with different deductibles between CHF 300 and CHF 2,500
• The standard model against family doctor, HMO or telemedicine models
• Whether you qualify for a premium subsidy in your canton