Swiss health insurance rates to rise by 8.7 percent in 2024
At a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Switzerland’s Health Minister announced “the highest increase since 2018". How much more will you have to pay for obligatory health insurance premiums next year?
The fact that rates have gone up is not in itself a surprise — the hike was announced months ago, but no exact amounts have been given at the time.
The closest prediction came from the Health Minister Alain Berset himself who said earlier in September, that rates “will increase on average by 8 to 9 percent".
This forecast was, as it turns out, accurate, because the new rates will be 8.7 percent higher on average. That is “the highest increase since 2018,” he said. As a comparison, in 2023, premiums went up by 6.6 percent on average.
Why is there such a substantial increase?
Overall, rising healthcare costs are responsible for such a sharp hike.
Specifically, Berset mentioned rising life expectancy in Switzerland, which means more older people with chronic diseases need the often expensive medical procedures and drugs.
Exorbitantly high prices that insurance companies must pay for medical services and drugs must be compensated somehow, so they ultimately end up being paid by consumers in the form of higher premiums.
Berset pointed out that the government has tried to introduce cost-cutting measures on various occasions, but these attempts had been blocked in the parliament.
READ ALSO: Why are Swiss health insurance premiums becoming more expensive — again?
How much more will you pay for health insurance in your canton?
The 8.7-percent increase is a national average, which means some people will pay more and others less.
As you know, each canton determines its own rates, so what you end up paying will depend on where you live.
READ ALSO: Why do Swiss healthcare premiums vary so much per canton?
Ticino residents will experience the highest increase — 10.5 percent.
Premiums in a number of other cantons will also exceed the 8.7-percent national average — for instance, Zug (10.2), Nidwalden and Thurgau (9.5), Vaud (9,9); Geneva (9,1); and Neuchâtel (9.1).
On the other hand, Zurich’s increase will be below the national average — 8.3 percent.
And Basel-City’s residents, along with Appenzell-Innerrhoden’s, will be able to enjoy the country's lowest increase: 6.5 percent.
Comments
See Also
The fact that rates have gone up is not in itself a surprise — the hike was announced months ago, but no exact amounts have been given at the time.
The closest prediction came from the Health Minister Alain Berset himself who said earlier in September, that rates “will increase on average by 8 to 9 percent".
This forecast was, as it turns out, accurate, because the new rates will be 8.7 percent higher on average. That is “the highest increase since 2018,” he said. As a comparison, in 2023, premiums went up by 6.6 percent on average.
Why is there such a substantial increase?
Overall, rising healthcare costs are responsible for such a sharp hike.
Specifically, Berset mentioned rising life expectancy in Switzerland, which means more older people with chronic diseases need the often expensive medical procedures and drugs.
Exorbitantly high prices that insurance companies must pay for medical services and drugs must be compensated somehow, so they ultimately end up being paid by consumers in the form of higher premiums.
Berset pointed out that the government has tried to introduce cost-cutting measures on various occasions, but these attempts had been blocked in the parliament.
READ ALSO: Why are Swiss health insurance premiums becoming more expensive — again?
How much more will you pay for health insurance in your canton?
The 8.7-percent increase is a national average, which means some people will pay more and others less.
As you know, each canton determines its own rates, so what you end up paying will depend on where you live.
READ ALSO: Why do Swiss healthcare premiums vary so much per canton?
Ticino residents will experience the highest increase — 10.5 percent.
Premiums in a number of other cantons will also exceed the 8.7-percent national average — for instance, Zug (10.2), Nidwalden and Thurgau (9.5), Vaud (9,9); Geneva (9,1); and Neuchâtel (9.1).
On the other hand, Zurich’s increase will be below the national average — 8.3 percent.
And Basel-City’s residents, along with Appenzell-Innerrhoden’s, will be able to enjoy the country's lowest increase: 6.5 percent.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.