krankenkassen-vergleich.ch · since 2005
Krankenkassen Vergleich
Person comparing health insurers and reviewing the right deductible for 2026 at a desk
Deductible 2026

Deductible in the health insurer comparison. Up to CHF 1'540 discount, same benefits.

CHF 300 or CHF 2'500? When comparing health insurers, the right deductible is the fastest savings lever, several hundred francs a year. With our calculator you'll see in 2 minutes which tier really fits you.

Calculate my deductibleOpen the premium calculator
CHF 300 to 2'500
Optional deductible
Up to CHF 1'540
Premium discount / year
10% out-of-pocket share
max. CHF 700
Children from CHF 0
lower tiers
What it's about

Understand the deductible before you compare health insurers

Everyone in Switzerland pays part of their own health costs themselves. This part is called the deductible. Anyone who chooses a higher deductible receives a higher premium discount, which yields up to CHF 1'540 in savings per year for the same benefits.

The art is choosing the deductible so that the premium discount is greater than your expected own costs. That is exactly what our health insurer comparison does for you.

Calculate savings potential
Premium discount per deductible (adults)
  • CHF 300
  • CHF 500
  • CHF 1'000
  • CHF 1'500
  • CHF 2'000
  • CHF 2'500

Maximum statutory discounts 2026. Actual discounts vary slightly by insurer.

Deductible calculator

Which deductible saves you the most?

A clear recommendation in 3 steps, free and without registration.

  1. 1Profile
  2. 2Recommendation
  3. 3Compare

Step 1 of 3

Who is being insured?

How often do you need the doctor?

An honest estimate is enough.

Sample calculations 2026

Discount table with real numbers

This is what the annual total burden looks like when comparing health insurers for an adult in 3 typical situations. The green number is always the cheapest choice. Next to it, the second table shows how the savings potential multiplies depending on household size.

Table 1, single person (adults)
DeductibleDiscountHealthy
CHF 200
Occasional
CHF 1'500
Chronic
CHF 5'000
CHF 300CHF 0CHF 200CHF 420CHF 770
CHF 500CHF 140CHF 60CHF 460CHF 660
CHF 1000CHF 490−CHF 290CHF 560CHF 360
CHF 1500CHF 840−CHF 640CHF 660CHF 310
CHF 2000CHF 1190−CHF 990CHF 310CHF 460
CHF 2500CHF 1540−CHF 1340−CHF 40CHF 610
Table 2, by household size
HouseholdMax. discount
per year
Realistic
average usage
Combined savings potential
with a model switch
Single
1 adult
CHF 1'540CHF 800CHF 2'200
Couple
2 adults
CHF 3'080CHF 1'600CHF 3'673
Family
2 adults + 2 children
CHF 3'920CHF 2'000CHF 3'673
Large family
2 adults + 4 children
CHF 4'760CHF 2'400CHF 3'673

Assumptions behind the sample calculations, simply explained

  • ·Table 1 shows the total burden per year for one adult: own costs up to the deductible plus 10% out-of-pocket share minus premium discount. Negative values mean you save more in premiums than you pay in own costs.
  • ·Table 2 adds up the maximum premium discount per household (adults: CHF 1'540, children: CHF 420) and compares it with a realistic value under average usage.
  • ·Combined savings potential = deductible + model switch (e.g. Telmedicine or HMO) + insurer switch. This is how a family reaches several thousand francs in savings per year.
  • ·Out-of-pocket share is 10% of the costs above the deductible, up to a maximum of CHF 700 for adults and CHF 350 for children per calendar year.
  • ·Values are 2026 averages for the Zurich region (premium region 1), standard model. Actual amounts vary depending on insurer, place of residence and age.
Recommendation
CHF 2'500

You are healthy

You barely see the doctor? Then the highest deductible saves you CHF 940 per year, because the premium discount is significantly greater than your own costs.

Recommendation
CHF 2'500

You use the insurer occasionally

Even with around CHF 1'500 in costs per year, the highest deductible is usually your cheapest option. The large discount beats the somewhat higher own costs.

Recommendation
CHF 1'000

You are chronically ill

With ongoing treatments, a medium to low deductible makes sense. Above CHF 4'000 in costs, CHF 300 is worthwhile; in between, often CHF 1'000.

Compare health insurers now
Which deductible for whom?

Recommendations by life situation

There is no single right deductible. Here are the typical profiles and our recommendation for each.

Young & healthy

Recommendation
CHF 2'500

You rarely see the doctor? With the highest deductible you claim up to CHF 1'540 in premium discount per year, and the risk stays manageable.

Chronically ill

Recommendation
CHF 300

With ongoing treatments and medication you pay the full deductible anyway. The lowest deductible saves the most in the end.

Families with children

Recommendation
CHF 0 / 600

For children, CHF 0 is worthwhile with frequent doctor visits, CHF 600 for healthy children. Parents decide based on expected usage.

Average usage

Recommendation
CHF 300 or 2'500

Mid-range deductibles (CHF 1'000 to 2'000) are almost never optimal. Choose either the lowest or the highest; in between you lose money.

Common mistakes

These 4 deductible mistakes cost you real money

1

Staying at CHF 300 out of habit

If you are perfectly healthy, you give away several hundred francs every year. Seriously consider the high deductible for once.

2

Rushing to the doctor for every cold

With a high deductible, doctor visits only pay off for real complaints. Telephone triage or the pharmacy saves hundreds.

3

Forgetting to lower the deductible after a diagnosis

After a serious diagnosis: lower it by 30 November. Otherwise you pay unnecessarily high own costs for a whole year.

4

Choosing a mid-range deductible

CHF 1'500 or 2'000 are rarely the best choice. The discount is too small for the additional risk.

Pro tip from our advisory practice

Combine a high deductible with a Telmedicine or HMO model and a low-cost insurer, and you get the maximum savings potential per year.

Calculate the combination

Which deductible can I choose?

In basic insurance, adults can choose a deductible of 300, 500, 1'000, 1'500, 2'000 or 2'500 francs. For children, 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 or 600 francs are available. A higher deductible is worthwhile above all if you expect low health costs and can financially bear the higher cost sharing in case of illness.

Frequently asked questions

Answers about the deductible

What exactly is the deductible?

The deductible is the amount you pay yourself per calendar year before the health insurer covers benefits. Adults can choose between CHF 300 (basic deductible) and CHF 2'500 (highest optional deductible).

What is the difference between the deductible and the out-of-pocket share?

You first pay the deductible in full yourself. Then comes the out-of-pocket share: 10% of the further costs, up to CHF 700 per year for adults (CHF 350 for children). Only after that does the insurer cover everything.

When is the high deductible worth it?

Rule of thumb: if your annual health costs are below roughly CHF 1'700, the high deductible (CHF 2'500) is cheaper. With higher costs, CHF 300 is worthwhile.

Can I adjust the deductible every year?

Yes. The change applies as of 1 January each year. The written change must reach your health insurer by 30 November at the latest.

Which deductibles are available for children?

For children up to age 18, the basic deductible is CHF 0. Optional deductibles are available in tiers of CHF 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 or 600, with a correspondingly higher premium discount.

What happens if I unexpectedly become ill?

Even with a high deductible you remain fully insured. In the worst case you pay the full deductible plus the out-of-pocket share (max. CHF 700), i.e. CHF 3'200 in total with a CHF 2'500 deductible. The insurer covers everything above that.

Who pays the deductible in the event of an accident?

If you are covered for accidents through your employer (from 8 hrs/week), the accident insurer pays with no deductible. Otherwise everything goes through the health insurer, and then the normal deductible applies.

When switching, how can I combine deductible and premium?

You achieve maximum savings by combining a low-cost insurer, the right model (HMO/Telmedicine) and the right deductible. Our comparison shows you the best combination in 2 minutes.

Deadlines & process

Adjust your deductible in 3 clear steps

You can choose your deductible anew every year. Only two dates and a short letter to your health insurer matter.

  1. Step 1
    By 30 November

    Letter to the health insurer

    Written notice of the new deductible as of 1 January, by post or online form.

  2. Step 2
    From 1 January

    New deductible applies

    Own costs count anew from CHF 0, and the out-of-pocket share counter also restarts at zero.

  3. Step 3
    During the year

    No change possible

    A change mid-year is ruled out, except when switching insurer.

Tip: Send the letter by registered mail or use your insurer's online form with confirmation. That way you have clean proof that the deadline was met.

Which deductible suits you?

Find out in 2 minutes, free, non-binding and with an instant recommendation.

Calculate your deductible nowCompare models too

100% free · Non-binding · FADP-compliant

Compare premiums free