Per-capita premium

What is the per-capita premium?

The per-capita premium (Kopfprämie) is a premium charged per person that does not depend on income. Every “head” pays its own amount. This is how basic health insurance is financed in Switzerland: an adult pays their insurer the same premium as every other adult in the same place of residence, with the same deductible, the same model and the same accident cover.

The counterpart is income-related contributions, which Switzerland uses for old-age and survivors’ insurance (AHV) and invalidity insurance. For invalidity insurance, for example, gainfully employed people pay 1.4% of their earned income (Art. 3 para. 1 IVG). Many European countries also finance health insurance through salary contributions. With the Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG), Switzerland opted for the per-capita premium and offsets the social burden through premium subsidies.

The term is also used in political debate, for example in proposals for income-related premiums or a single health insurance fund. Here, we are concerned with the rule currently in force.

How it works

The per-capita premium does not mean that everyone in Switzerland pays the same. The law allows differences based on clearly defined characteristics:

Differences by income, assets, sex, state of health or age among adults are not permitted. A 30-year-old and a 60-year-old pay the same with the same insurer and the same choices. Nor may the insurer refuse anyone because of their health.

Because the premium does not depend on income, it weighs more heavily on low-income households. This is why the cantons reduce the premiums of people of modest economic means. For low and middle incomes, they must reduce children’s premiums by at least 80% and those of young adults in education or training by at least 50%. Each canton decides the maximum share of disposable income that the premium may account for.

Legal basis

Art. 61 para. 1 KVG states: the insurer sets the premiums for its insured persons and, unless the law provides for an exception, charges its insured persons the same premiums. The exceptions are in the following paragraphs: grading according to cantonal differences in costs, based on the place of residence (para. 2); regional grading according to the regions set by the Federal Department of Home Affairs (para. 2bis); lower premiums for children and young adults (para. 3); and separate premiums for insured persons resident in the EU, Iceland, Norway or the United Kingdom (para. 4). Discounts for deductibles and models are based on Art. 62 KVG. Premium subsidies are governed by Art. 65 KVG; the minimum reduction for children and young adults in education or training is set out in para. 1bis.

Example: a family in Zurich

The table shows 2026 monthly premiums in the municipality of Zurich (region 1) with accident cover, across all 128 offers (source: FOPH, 2026 premiums).

What this means for you

You do not lower your premium through your income, but through your choice of insurer, deductible and model. The premium calculator shows you all offers in your place of residence with the official FOPH premiums. You can find key figures for each insurer under health insurers.

If the premium is too high for your budget, check whether you are entitled to a premium subsidy. The rules differ from canton to canton, for example in the canton of Zurich. If you switch insurer, the deadlines under deadlines apply.

Common mistakes

• Comparing premiums from different places. The per-capita premium applies per insurer and region; a quote from another canton does not apply to you.
• Counting on age discounts. Among adults, there are no age-based discounts in basic health insurance.
• Not applying for a premium subsidy. Depending on the canton, you have to apply yourself; the rules are on your canton’s page.
• Mixing up basic and supplementary insurance. Supplementary insurance is governed by the Insurance Contract Act (ICA); there, insurers may ask health questions and grade premiums by age.