Starting point
What does health insurance cost as a student?
Health insurance premiums 2026 by age group, as a student you benefit from the young adults category with noticeably lower premiums.
| Age group | Ø monthly premium 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Children (0–18) | CHF 122.50 | +4.9% |
| Young adults (19–25) | CHF 326.30 | +4.2% (+CHF 13.30) |
| Adults (from 26) | CHF 465.30 | +4.1% |
As a student between 19 and 25 you benefit from the "young adults" category. But CHF 326.30 a month still adds up to CHF 3'916 a year. With the right optimisation you can cut that considerably.
Source: FOPH (Federal Office of Public Health), premiums 2026.
Biggest lever
Premium reduction, your biggest lever as a student
Students on a low income are entitled to the premium reduction (IPV). In many cantons young adults in education even receive at least a 50% reduction. Almost 30% of all insured people in Switzerland receive a premium reduction.
Zurich
Own share of 8.4% of taxable income. With a student income of CHF 15'000 a year: a premium reduction of roughly CHF 2'500–3'500 a year.
Bern
Income threshold around CHF 42'000. Students in education receive at least a 50% reduction.
Lucerne
Income threshold around CHF 36'000. Apply to the cantonal social insurance office.
How to apply for the premium reduction
- 1Apply to the cantonal social insurance office (online or by form)
- 2Enclose proof of income and assets
- 3Enclose proof of education/enrolment
- 4Deadline in many cantons: 31 March
Many students do not know that they qualify! Do check, the premium reduction can cut your premium by 50% or more.
Saving levers
How to save most: optimise your model and deductible
Two simple adjustments, one big effect. Details: insurance models and deductible.
Insurance model
| Model | Discount | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 0% (reference) | Anyone wanting maximum flexibility |
| Family doctor | 10–15% | Anyone who prefers one fixed doctor |
| Telmed | 10–20% | Digitally minded students (perfect!) |
| HMO | 15–25% | City students near an HMO centre |
Deductible
| Deductible | Saving/year | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| CHF 300 | — | Only if you see a doctor regularly |
| CHF 500 | approx. CHF 300 | Occasional doctor visits |
| CHF 1'000 | approx. CHF 600 | Healthy students |
| CHF 1'500 | approx. CHF 900 | Rarely ill |
| CHF 2'000 | approx. CHF 1'200 | Very rarely ill |
| CHF 2'500 | approx. CHF 1'500–2'300 | Maximum saving |
Worked example
This is how big the difference is
Standard + CHF 300
CHF 380/month
CHF 4'560/year
Telmed + CHF 2'500
CHF 220/month
CHF 2'640/year
Saving
CHF 1'920/year
Indicative values, they vary by canton and insurer.
Exemption
International students, exemption from compulsory insurance
Not every student has to take out Swiss health insurance. Under certain conditions you can be exempted from the insurance obligation.
EU/EFTA students
- Exemption possible if you remain socially insured in your home country
- The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is sufficient proof
- Condition: NO gainful employment in Switzerland, not even a side job!
- As soon as you work subject to AHV contributions (even a mini-job), the exemption lapses
Non-EU/EFTA students
- Exemption possible with equivalent private cover
- The cover must match Swiss basic insurance
- Apply to the cantonal authority within 3 months of arrival
Swiss students
- No exemption possible, the insurance obligation applies
- But: apply for the premium reduction!
Careful: An EU student who takes a side job in Switzerland, even for just a few hours, loses the right to an exemption and must take out Swiss health insurance immediately!
Source: FOPH (Federal Office of Public Health).
Accident
Accident cover, do you need it as a student?
Depending on whether you have a side job or not, you need accident cover through your health insurer, or you do not.
| Situation | Accident cover via insurer needed? | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Studying only, no side job | Yes | Accidents must be covered by your health insurer |
| Side job of 8+ hours a week | No | Your employer insures you, exclude accident cover from the policy! |
| Side job under 8 hours | Yes | Too little for employer cover |
Supplementary insurance
Supplementary insurance for students, what is worth it?
The supplementary insurance plans are voluntary. For students, dental and eyewear cover matter most.
Dental insurance
Basic insurance pays nothing for dental treatment. Covered from CHF 8/month. Tip: if you do not have it yet, sign up NOW, the older you are, the dearer and harder it gets.
Learn moreEyewear insurance
Up to CHF 300/year for glasses and contact lenses. Worthwhile for glasses wearers.
Learn moreAlternative medicine
Osteopathy, acupuncture and similar. Only if you actively use it.
Learn moreHospital supplement
Rarely relevant for a healthy student. But: signing up now is cheaper than at 35.
Learn moreOptimally insured as a student?
We check free of charge whether you have the cheapest insurer and where your saving potential lies.
Age category change
Careful, what happens at 19 and at 26?
Twice in a student's life the age category changes, and with it the premium, considerably.
1 January
At 19: child → young adult
- The premium jumps from Ø CHF 122.50 to Ø CHF 326.30 (+166%)
- The change happens automatically on 1 January
- Review your deductible and model NOW, the saving potential is huge
- Apply for the premium reduction
1 January
At 26: young adult → adult
- The premium rises again from Ø CHF 326.30 to Ø CHF 465.30 (+43%)
- Be sure to compare insurers BEFORE the change
- Do NOT switch supplementary insurance (health checks get stricter)
- Check the cheapest model and the highest deductible
Ready to apply
5 proven saving tips for students
Tip 1
Apply for the premium reduction
Up to 50%+ off. Almost every student qualifies!
Tip 2
Choose Telmed or HMO
15–25% cheaper for identical benefits. Ideal for digitally minded students.
Tip 3
Highest deductible (CHF 2'500)
If you are rarely ill, you save CHF 1'500–2'300 a year in premiums.
Tip 4
Exclude accident cover
With a side job of 8+ hours a week. Saves CHF 7–15 a month.
Tip 5
Compare every year
The cheapest insurer changes. Switch by 30 November!
Avoid
The 3 most common mistakes students make
Mistake 1
Not applying for the premium reduction
Thousands of francs given away, because many students simply do not know that they qualify.
Mistake 2
Standard model with a CHF 300 deductible
The most expensive combination, often for no reason if you rarely see a doctor anyway.
Mistake 3
Never switching insurer since childhood
Parents often chose a different, more expensive insurer. As an adult you decide freely!
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about health insurance for students
The cheapest health insurance as a student?
As a student you have three simple levers: apply for the premium reduction, optimise your model and deductible, and every year compare insurers. Combined, that often means several thousand francs of savings a year, with identical basic benefits under the KVG.