Health insurance is mandatory in Switzerland, but did you know picking the right plan can save you thousands each year?

Every resident in Switzerland must buy health insurance within 3 months of arrival. But what most newcomers don’t realize: the choice you make in your first weeks can mean paying thousands more — or less — each year.

• Switzerland has dozens of insurance providers, but the real costs depend on your franchise, deductible, and whether you choose a family or individual plan.

• Two families with the same coverage can end up paying completely different amounts, simply because they made different choices.

• Newcomers often feel rushed, pick the first plan offered, and only discover later they’re stuck paying more.

We’ve analyzed average premiums across cantons and age groups — and the difference between the “wrong” and “right” choice can easily be CHF 2,000 a year.

Want to see exactly how much you could save? Try our Wallet Check tool to calculate your personal savings, and unlock our step-by-step guide inside Switzerland in a Box.