Health insurance premiums in Switzerland rose between 4% and 15% depending on the canton in 2026, with striking cases such as Nidwald (+15%) or Zug (+11%). What many people do not know is that there is a system of cantonal aid to reduce the cost, the so-called "Prämienverbilligung" (IPT, in French), and that a significant part of the residents who would be entitled to them simply do not apply for them, either due to ignorance or because they believe that they are only for people in precarious situations. How it works depends on each canton, which is the norm in Switzerland. In some, the subsidy is calculated and applied automatically from your tax return. In others, you have to actively request it within a certain period of time. The criteria also vary: in general, income level, household composition and sometimes assets are taken into account. In the canton of Vaud, for example, families with dependent children or with moderate incomes can receive substantial reductions. In Zurich, the access threshold is more restrictive, but it still exists. The first and easiest step is to consult the portal of the canton of residence or the federal site bag.admin.ch, where there is updated information and links to cantonal forms. If you have been in Switzerland for years, you work, you have children in the school system and you have never applied for this help, it is very possible that you do not need it, but you may also have missed money year after year. It takes a few minutes to verify, and the result can be a reduction of several hundred francs per year.
Subsidies for health insurance premiums: money that many are entitled to and do not ask for
Community guide based on recent and verified experiences.