Family insurance: health insurance for families

There is no special family insurance in Switzerland. You have to pay a separate premium for each family member – the so-called per capita premium. The premium amount is not linked to income.

In Switzerland, family health insurance is usually an insurance package consisting of basic and supplementary insurance.

Basic insurance for children

You must register each child for basic insurance with a health insurer. You are free to choose the health insurance and the model.

Should you register children with a health insurer before or after their birth?

You can register your child with the health insurer before their birth. You can inform the health insurer of your baby’s name and date of birth later. However, you must take out basic insurance for your baby within three months of their birth. 

Health insurance in Switzerland for families: costs of basic insurance

Basic insurancelower for children. Some health insurers offer an additional family discount to families with multiple children. The premium per person depends on:

• Age: Children up to the age of 18 generally pay the lowest premiums. The premiums often rise in increments to the adult premium amount as the child reaches the age of 25.

• Place of residence

• Health insurance model

• The deductible chosen

• Whether or not you have taken out accident insurance through your health insurer

You pay a lower deductible and coinsurance for children. The lowest deductible for children is zero francs, while the highest is 600 francs per year. The maximum coinsurance is 350 francs. 

Are multiple children insured with the same health insurer? If so, you will pay a maximum coinsurance of 1,000 francs for all of the children together (Art. 64 para. 4 HIA). In addition, the out-of-pocket expenses for all children combined are at most twice the sum of the deductible and coinsurance (Art. 93 para. 3 HIO).

Good to know: the statutory hospital cost contribution of 15 francs per day does not have to be paid for children.

Family insurance in Switzerland: which health insurance model is worthwhile?

As a rule, the same health insurance models are available for children as for adults. Here, the premiums for alternative models are cheaper than those for the standard model. The model that is right for you depends on your personal situation.

Good to know: some health insurers allow you to go directly to the paediatrician, regardless of the insurance model .

Cover for costs associated with birth defects

Birth defects are conditions that are already present when the baby is born. Examples include autism spectrum disorders and celiac disease.

Is your child's condition a recognised birth defect? If so, invalidity insurance will cover the costs of medical treatment until the child reaches the age of 20. After that, birth defects are covered by the normal benefits of basic insurance.

Basic insurance is compulsory – supplemental insurance policies can also be useful. This list will help you choose the right insurance products for your baby.

Registering a child for supplemental insurance before their birth

You can take out supplemental insurance before the birth of your child. If you register your child before their birth, you often do not have to answer any questions about their health. This means that children are accepted without reservation.

The same range of supplemental insurance products is generally available for children as for adults. The supplemental insurance you take out for your child depends on your requirements.

Taking out supplemental dental insurance may be worthwhile, especially for children. This is because some insurance companies also cover orthodontic treatments. If you take out insurance for your child at an early stage, you usually do not have to present a dental certificate for their admission.