Key points at a glance
- Basic health insurance pays for delivery at home, in hospital or in a birth centre and for obstetric care by a doctor or midwife (Art. 29 para. 2 let. b KVG).
- No co-payment is charged on maternity benefits or on any benefits from the 13th week of pregnancy until 8 weeks after the birth (Art. 64 para. 7 KVG).
- The hospital contribution of CHF 15 a day does not apply to the birth (Art. 104 para. 2 let. c KVV).
- After the birth, the midwife may make up to 10 home visits, or up to 16 after a caesarean section, a premature birth, a multiple birth or for a first child (Art. 16 KLV).
- If the baby is registered within 3 months, it is insured retroactively from birth (Art. 3 para. 1 and Art. 5 para. 1 KVG).
What are the benefits for childbirth?
In health insurance, childbirth is part of the maternity benefits. Basic health insurance not only covers the costs as it would for an illness, but also special benefits around pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. This applies to every insured person, regardless of insurer, deductible or insurance model.
The benefits around the birth include:
- delivery at home, in hospital or in a birth centre;
- obstetric care by doctors or midwives;
- the stay in the general ward of a hospital or in a birth centre;
- the care and stay of the healthy newborn as long as it is in hospital with the mother;
- the postnatal check-up between the 6th and 10th week after the birth;
- postnatal care at home by the midwife;
- breastfeeding advice with up to three sessions.
Basic health insurance does not include extras such as a single or double room, free choice of doctor in hospital, or a hospital outside your canton’s hospital list without a medical reason. For these, you need supplementary hospital insurance. Some supplementary insurance policies have waiting periods for maternity benefits; check the conditions before you sign up.
From birth, the baby is an insured person in their own right. They need their own basic health insurance, which you must take out within three months.
How it works
No co-payment: For the special maternity benefits, the insurer may charge neither a deductible nor a retention fee. In addition, all basic health insurance benefits you receive from the 13th week of pregnancy, during the birth and up to eight weeks afterwards are also exempt from co-payment, even if they have nothing to do with the pregnancy. The doctor monitoring the pregnancy determines the expected start of the 13th week and writes it on the invoice. The period after the birth ends at midnight on the 56th day.
No hospital contribution: Adults normally pay CHF 15 a day towards the costs of a hospital stay. Women whose co-payment is waived because of maternity do not pay this contribution.
Where you can give birth: In hospital, in a birth centre or at home. For hospitals and birth centres, you can choose between the listed hospitals of your canton of residence and of the canton where the hospital is located. If you choose a hospital outside your canton without a medical reason, the insurer and the canton pay at most according to the tariff of your canton of residence.
Midwife after the birth: In the 56 days after the birth, the midwife may make a maximum of 10 home visits. After a premature birth, a multiple birth, a caesarean section or for a first child, the maximum is 16. In the first 10 days, up to 5 second visits on the same day are added. More visits require a doctor’s order.
Insuring the baby: If you register the child with an insurer within three months of the birth, the insurance applies from birth. You can also register the child before the birth; this is called registration before birth. For basic health insurance, this is not necessary, because every insurer must accept the child.
Legal basis
- Art. 29 KVG: In addition to the benefits as for illness, basic health insurance covers the special maternity benefits: check-ups (para. 2 let. a), delivery at home, in hospital or in a birth centre, and obstetric care by doctors or midwives (let. b), necessary breastfeeding advice (let. c), and the care and stay of the healthy newborn as long as it is in hospital with the mother (let. d).
- Art. 64 para. 7 KVG: No co-payment for benefits under Art. 29 para. 2 KVG (let. a) and for benefits under Art. 25 and 25a KVG from the 13th week of pregnancy, during the delivery and up to eight weeks afterwards (let. b).
- Art. 105 KVV: The doctor monitoring the pregnancy states the expected start of the 13th week of pregnancy on the invoice (para. 1). A stillbirth after the 23rd week of pregnancy counts as a delivery (para. 2). The period ends at midnight on the 56th day after the delivery (para. 3).
- Art. 104 KVV: The hospital contribution is CHF 15 a day (para. 1); women whose co-payment is waived under Art. 64 para. 7 KVG do not pay it (para. 2 let. c).
- Art. 13–16 KLV: Scope of the check-ups (seven examinations in a normal pregnancy, two routine ultrasound scans, postnatal check-up in the 6th to 10th week), antenatal preparation with a contribution of CHF 150, breastfeeding advice with a maximum of three sessions, and home visits by the midwife.
- Art. 3 para. 1 and Art. 5 para. 1 KVG: Requirement to take out insurance within three months of the birth; if the child joins in time, the insurance starts at birth.
Example: a birth in March 2026 in Zurich
Laura, 31, lives in the city of Zurich and has a CHF 2,500 deductible. Her child is born in hospital on 12.03.2026. She stays four nights in the general ward.
| Benefit | Normal case for illness | Laura’s case (maternity) |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery and hospital stay | Deductible and 10% retention fee | no co-payment |
| Hospital contribution | CHF 15 a day | CHF 0 |
| Doctor’s visit unrelated to the birth on 20.04.2026 | Deductible and retention fee | no co-payment (within 56 days) |
| Doctor’s visit unrelated to the birth on 15.05.2026 | Deductible and retention fee | Deductible and retention fee (period expired on 07.05.2026) |
Laura takes out basic health insurance for the baby within three months. The monthly premiums for 2026 for a child born in 2026 in the municipality of Zurich (region 1, with accident cover; source FOPH):
| Child deductible | lowest | median | highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHF 0 | CHF 120.30 | CHF 146.80 | CHF 185.70 |
| CHF 600 | CHF 85.30 | CHF 114.90 | CHF 150.70 |
What this means for you
- Register your baby in time: The deadline is three months from the birth. You can compare premiums for your child in the children’s premium calculator and all offers in your municipality in the premium calculator.
- Check your invoices: If an invoice from the 13th week of pregnancy or from the 8 weeks after the birth shows a co-payment, ask your insurer about it.
- Clarify supplementary insurance early: Supplementary hospital insurance for you and supplementary insurance for your child have their own rules on waiting periods and health questions. You will find key figures and offers of the insurers under health insurers.
- Look for a midwife early: Postnatal care at home is insured. The number of visits is limited; more require a doctor’s order.
- Use antenatal preparation: Basic health insurance pays CHF 150 towards antenatal classes or a counselling session with the midwife.
Common mistakes
- Expecting to pay the deductible for the birth. No co-payment is charged on maternity benefits, not even with a CHF 2,500 deductible.
- Overlooking the 56-day period. After the 56th day, the normal co-payment applies again.
- Registering the baby too late. After three months, the insurance only starts on registration, and a premium surcharge may be charged for the gap.
- Assuming a single room is covered. Basic health insurance pays for the general ward. Comfort extras require supplementary insurance.
More on aids after the birth can be found under breast pump. We explain how we analyse premiums under how we calculate.
Frequently asked questions
How much does giving birth cost in Switzerland?
As a mother, you usually pay nothing from basic health insurance: the insurer pays for the delivery, obstetric care and your stay in the general ward without a deductible, retention fee or hospital contribution. Costs only arise for extras such as a single room, which basic health insurance does not cover.
Do I have to pay the deductible for the birth?
No. For the special maternity benefits and for all benefits from the 13th week of pregnancy until 8 weeks after the birth, the insurer may not charge a deductible or a retention fee.
By when do I have to insure my baby?
Within 3 months of the birth. The insurance then applies retroactively from birth. You can also register your child before the birth. This can help with supplementary insurance, because the health questions about the child do not yet concern any findings.
Who pays for the care of a healthy newborn in hospital?
As long as the healthy newborn is in hospital with the mother, its care and stay are part of the maternity benefits and are billed to the mother’s insurance. If the child needs treatment of its own, this goes through the child’s own insurance.
Related terms
- PregnancyDuring pregnancy, basic health insurance pays special benefits on top of the normal benefits for illness: seven check-ups, two ultrasound scans, CHF 150 towards antenatal classes, the birth and three breastfeeding consultations. No deductible applies to these benefits. From the 13th week until eight weeks after the birth, you are exempt from any co-payment.
- MaternityIn basic health insurance, maternity covers all benefits relating to pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period: check-ups, the birth, the midwife, breastfeeding advice and CHF 150 for antenatal classes. You pay no deductible and no retention fee on these benefits. From the 13th week of pregnancy until eight weeks after the birth, there is also no co-payment for illness.
- MidwifeIn basic health insurance, a midwife supports you through pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. She may independently carry out seven check-ups in a normal pregnancy, assist at the birth and visit you at home after the birth, up to 16 times in the first 56 days. You pay no deductible and no retention fee for this.
- Registration before birthRegistration before birth means registering your child with a health insurer before the baby is born. It is not necessary for basic health insurance: you have up to 3 months after the birth, and cover applies retroactively from birth. It matters for supplementary insurance, because after the birth the insurer may ask health questions.
- Congenital disorderA congenital disorder is an illness that already exists when the birth is complete. If it is on the federal list and meets the legal criteria, invalidity insurance (IV) pays for treatment until the age of 20, without the health insurer’s deductible. After that, or without IV cover, basic health insurance pays.
- Breastfeeding counsellingBreastfeeding counselling is professional support with breastfeeding from a midwife or a specially trained nurse. Basic health insurance pays for three sessions as a specific maternity benefit. No deductible and no retention fee apply to them, whatever deductible you have chosen. On top of this, it covers the midwife’s home visits in the postnatal period.
Sources
- Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG), Art. 29 MaternityArt. 29 KVGfedlex.admin.ch
- Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG), Art. 64 Cost participationArt. 64 para. 7 KVGfedlex.admin.ch
- Health Insurance Ordinance (KVV), Art. 104 Contribution to the costs of hospital staysArt. 104 KVVfedlex.admin.ch
- Health Insurance Ordinance (KVV), Art. 105 Cost participation in the case of maternityArt. 105 KVVfedlex.admin.ch
- Health Care Benefits Ordinance (KLV), Art. 13–16 Special benefits in the case of maternityArt. 13–16 KLVfedlex.admin.ch
- Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG), Art. 3 and 5 Requirement to take out insurance and start of insuranceArt. 3 and 5 KVGfedlex.admin.ch
- FOPH: Premiums 2026 (opendata.swiss)opendata.swiss