Why the deductible matters to an employer
Every adult resident in Switzerland takes out basic health insurance (LAMal in French, KVG in German). The policy is personal. It is not provided by the employer by default. Your transferee therefore makes several choices on arrival, and the deductible is the one with the largest effect on monthly cost.
The deductible (franchise in French, Franchise in German) is the yearly amount the insured person pays out of pocket before the insurer starts to reimburse. Above that amount, a further share of costs stays with the patient. This is called the retention (quote-part). The law sets it, and the insurer does not negotiate it.
For HR and mobility teams, the choice matters in three ways:
- it changes the monthly premium your employee sees on the offer;
- it changes the cash exposure in a year with heavy medical use;
- it affects how your policy treats health costs, for example in a lump sum or a managed package.
This page covers the rule, the levels, the insurance models and the decisions to take. For the wider picture, see Swiss health insurance for expatriate employees.
The ordinary deductible
The ordinary (minimum) deductible for an adult is CHF 300 per year (FOPH). For a child, the ordinary deductible does not apply: children are insured without one. That rule holds unless a different arrangement is chosen for the child with the insurer.
This is the level that applies when no other choice is made. A transferee who simply accepts an offer without selecting a level is placed on the ordinary deductible.
The optional deductibles
An adult can choose a higher deductible in return for a lower premium. The optional levels for adults are CHF 500, CHF 1,000, CHF 1,500, CHF 2,000 and CHF 2,500 per year (FOPH). The higher the level, the larger the premium reduction, and the larger the amount the insured person pays before reimbursement starts.
The size of the premium reduction differs by insurer, canton and age group. This page gives no figure for it. Ask for the premium at each level in the offer itself.
| Criterion | Ordinary deductible | Higher optional deductible |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | Higher | Lower |
| Cash paid before reimbursement | Smaller | Larger |
| Suits a year with | Regular care | Little care |
| Budget certainty | Greater | Lower |
Insurance models
Besides the deductible, basic insurance can be taken under different models. The usual families are the standard model with free choice of doctor, a family-doctor model, a managed-care model (often called HMO), and a telemedicine model. In the alternative models, the insured person agrees to a set first point of contact before seeing a specialist. In return, the premium is lower.
The conditions, the premium effect and the list of available models depend on the insurer and the region. Treat any detail beyond this outline as something to confirm in the offer. The basic benefits themselves are the same across insurers; models change the access route and the price.
Accident cover is a separate question. For employees, it normally runs through the employer. See accident insurance through the employer.
How the choice affects cost for a mobility budget
Choosing a high deductible lowers the monthly line in a budget. It also moves risk to the employee, or to the employer if the policy reimburses out-of-pocket costs. Two policy questions follow.
- Does the assignment policy cover the deductible and the retention, or only the premium?
- Is the choice left to the transferee, or does the policy set a default level?
A clear written rule avoids disputes later. A policy that pays premiums but leaves the deductible to the employee gives an incentive to pick the highest level. If a medical event then occurs, the employee faces the cost alone.
For figures on premiums, see how much health insurance costs in Switzerland.
Order of steps for a new arrival
Basic insurance is compulsory for residents, within a legal deadline. The rule is explained in is Swiss health insurance mandatory?. The deductible and model are chosen when the contract is concluded.
A practical sequence for the employer:
- Confirm the employee's start date and residence plan.
- Decide what the policy covers: premium, deductible, retention, supplementary cover.
- Let the employee compare offers, or arrange a mediated introduction to a relocation provider.
- Record the chosen level and model in the assignment file.
- Review the level at the next yearly change window set by the insurer.
Documents and information to gather
- proof of the planned residence in Switzerland;
- the permit or the permit decision, once issued;
- details of any existing cover in the home country;
- the names and dates of birth of accompanying family members;
- the assignment letter or contract.
Family members are insured individually. Each adult can have a different level. Children are handled separately.
CHF 300
Ordinary adult deductible per year
Source: Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH)
CHF 500
Lowest optional adult deductible per year
Source: Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH)
CHF 2,500
Highest optional adult deductible per year
Source: Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH)
Departure country differences
Employees from the UK, the US, India, Germany, France, Canada, China, Japan, the Emirates and Australia arrive with different expectations.
- In many countries, the employer chooses a group plan and the employee has no say. In Switzerland, the individual picks the insurer, level and model.
- Some systems have no deductible at all. Others have a deductible that resets by calendar year, as in Switzerland.
- For employees from Germany or France, the comparison is often with a public fund where contributions follow income. In Switzerland, premiums do not follow income.
For country-specific points, see transferring employees from Germany, from Canada and from the United States.
Common traps
- Choosing the highest level without checking cash flow in the first months.
- Assuming the deductible is covered by the premium paid by the employer.
- Forgetting that the deductible applies each calendar year, so a start late in the year still carries the full level unless the insurer states otherwise.
- Treating supplementary cover as a substitute for basic cover. See supplementary insurance.
- Moving canton without checking the effect on premiums. See when an assignee changes canton.
What this site does
The site connects employers and transferees with relocation companies in Switzerland. It does not sell insurance and does not advise on a specific policy. A specialist examines the case when a request is made through the form at the bottom of the page. See also relocation services in Switzerland and settling-in support.
Frequently asked questions
What is a deductible in Swiss health insurance?
It is the yearly amount the insured person pays before the insurer reimburses care. After that, a further share of costs remains with the patient under the retention rule.
What is the ordinary deductible for an adult?
It is CHF 300 per year (FOPH). It applies when no other level is chosen.
Do children pay a deductible?
No ordinary deductible applies to a child. Optional arrangements for children depend on the insurer.
Which optional deductibles exist for adults?
The levels are CHF 500, CHF 1,000, CHF 1,500, CHF 2,000 and CHF 2,500 per year (FOPH).
What does an employee gain from a higher deductible?
A lower monthly premium. The reduction differs by insurer and age group, so it is read from the offer.
What is the risk of a high deductible?
A larger amount is paid before reimbursement starts. In a year with heavy medical use, cash exposure rises.
Is the deductible the same for every insurer?
The legal levels are the same. Premiums, rebates and models vary by insurer.
Does the deductible reset every year?
It applies per calendar year. The insurer confirms how it applies in the first year of a contract.
Can an employee change the deductible?
Changes follow rules and deadlines set by the insurer and the law. Moving to a lower level is often more restricted than moving to a higher one. Ask the insurer for the current conditions.
Does the employer have to pay the deductible?
No law requires it. It is a matter for the assignment policy.
Does the deductible apply to accident care?
Accident cover for employees usually runs through the employer and works differently. See accident insurance through the employer.
What is the retention?
It is a share of costs above the deductible that the insured person also pays, up to a legal cap. The cap and rate are set by law and not restated here.
What are insurance models?
They are ways to take basic insurance with a set route to care, such as a family doctor, a managed-care network or telemedicine. The premium is usually lower than under the standard model.
Do all insurers offer all models?
No. Availability depends on the insurer and the region.
Do models change the benefits?
The basic benefits are the same. The models change how care is accessed and what the premium is.
Can a family choose different levels for each adult?
Yes. Each adult is insured individually and can have a different level.
Is a high deductible suitable for a short assignment?
That depends on the policy and the expected medical use. A specialist can examine the case.
Does maternity change the choice?
Maternity care has its own rules. See maternity leave and benefits.
Does supplementary cover change the deductible?
No. Supplementary cover is a separate contract. See supplementary insurance.
How can an employee compare offers from abroad?
By requesting offers with the deductible level and model stated, and by comparing like with like. Tools and relocation providers can help; the personalised checklist generator lists the steps.
Where can the employer find official information?
The FOPH and ch.ch pages listed below are the official sources. For help with the full move, make a request through relocation support.
Sources
Related pages
- Swiss health insurance for expatriate employees
- Is Swiss health insurance mandatory? The three-m
- How much is health insurance in Switzerland? Pre
- Supplementary health cover
- Accident insurance through the employer
- Maternity leave and benefits in Switzerland
- Liability, legal protection and car cover
- The three pillars