Who gets a premium reduction in Switzerland?

Households in modest economic circumstances. Each canton sets its own income ceilings and scales, and families with children qualify at noticeably higher incomes than single people.

Do I have to apply for it?

In most cantons the office screens tax data and contacts you automatically. In some cantons, and whenever your income has dropped sharply since your last assessment, you must file a request yourself.

Normally the taxable income (income used to calculate your tax) of your most recent tax assessment, plus a share of taxable wealth — often around 10%. Some cantons adjust it for family size or use a more recent income.

Why is the result only an estimate?

Because the 26 cantonal systems differ in ceilings, scales and definitions. This tool models the shared logic and the federal minimums, so treat it as orientation before contacting your cantonal office.

Household costs

Premium reduction calculator (Prämienverbilligung)

Every canton reduces health insurance premiums for households with modest incomes. The rules differ from canton to canton, so this tool estimates the reduction with the burden model most cantons use: you carry premiums up to a share of your relevant income, the canton covers the excess, and the federal minimums for children and young adults apply on top.

Income and wealth

Taxable income

Taxable income from your latest tax assessment, not your gross salary.

Taxable wealth

Most cantons add a share of net wealth to the income used for the decision.

Household

Adults (26+)

Young adults (19–25)

Children (0–18)

Monthly premiums

Premium per adult

Take the amount from your insurer's policy statement for next year.

Cantonal rules

Income ceiling

Above this relevant income the canton grants nothing. Check your cantonal social insurance office for the current figure.

Share of income you carry yourself

Cantons typically expect households to spend somewhere between 8% and 14% of their relevant income on premiums.

Estimated premium reduction

CHF 0

With a relevant income of CHF 57'000 this household is above the ceiling you entered, or premiums already stay under the share of income you carry yourself.

Relevant income

CHF 57'000

Taxable income plus CHF 2'000 counted wealth

Premiums before reduction

CHF 5'040

Whole household, per year

Premiums after reduction

CHF 5'040

CHF 420 per month

Share you carry yourself

CHF 5'700

10% of relevant income

Premium burden before

8.8%

Premiums ÷ relevant income

Premium burden after

8.8%

Likely eligible

How the estimate works

Cantons do not decide on your gross salary. They use a relevant income, normally taxable income (income used to calculate your tax) from your latest assessment plus a share of net wealth — 10% here, which is a common cantonal figure.

Your relevant income is CHF 57'000, and full household premiums come to CHF 5'040 per year. Expecting you to carry 10% of your income yourself leaves CHF 5'700, so anything above that is estimated as the cantonal reduction.

Households with children get more than the burden model alone suggests: federal law requires at least 80% of children's premiums and 50% of the premiums of young adults in education to be covered for lower and middle incomes.

In most cantons you do not have to apply: the cantonal office checks tax data and writes to you. In others, and after a big income drop, you must file a request yourself — so it is worth contacting the office if you think you qualify and hear nothing.

Premium reduction is cantonal. Income definitions, ceilings, scales, wealth treatment and family allowances all differ, so this tool models the common logic instead of one canton's exact table.
10% of taxable wealth is added to taxable income. Several cantons use a different share, an exemption threshold, or no wealth component at all.
The share of income you carry yourself is an input, not an official figure. Set it to your canton's value if you know it.
Federal minimums under KVG/LAMal art. 65 are applied for eligible households: at least 80% for children and 50% for young adults in education.
Deductibles, co-payments, supplementary insurance and accident cover are ignored — only the basic insurance premiums you enter are used.
Only your own premiums matter for the result, so entering the amounts from your insurer's policy statement gives the most useful estimate.
The result is a yearly estimate in Swiss francs and does not account for mid-year changes such as moving canton, marriage or a new job.

This calculator gives an approximate, educational estimate of a cantonal premium reduction. It is not an official decision, not advice, and it cannot replace the assessment of your cantonal social insurance office.

Your inputs stay in your browser.

Who gets a premium reduction in Switzerland?: Households in modest economic circumstances. Each canton sets its own income ceilings and scales, and families with children qualify at noticeably higher incomes than single people.
Do I have to apply for it?: In most cantons the office screens tax data and contacts you automatically. In some cantons, and whenever your income has dropped sharply since your last assessment, you must file a request yourself.
Which income counts?: Normally the taxable income (income used to calculate your tax) of your most recent tax assessment, plus a share of taxable wealth — often around 10%. Some cantons adjust it for family size or use a more recent income.
Why is the result only an estimate?: Because the 26 cantonal systems differ in ceilings, scales and definitions. This tool models the shared logic and the federal minimums, so treat it as orientation before contacting your cantonal office.

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Premium reduction calculator (Prämienverbilligung)

How the estimate works

Assumptions usedFor anyone curious about exactly how we calculate — feel free to skip this part.

Frequently asked questionsShort answers to the questions that come up most often with this calculator.

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