Health insurance cancellation deadlines: do not miss them

The deadlines for switching health insurer in Switzerland are binding. There is no extension and no excuses are accepted. A registered letter even one day late means being stuck with your old insurance for another full year. Here are all the dates you need to know.

The 2026 deadline calendar

• 30 September: announcement of premium increases by the Federal Council
• 31 October: extraordinary deadline if your premium rises above the cantonal average
• 30 November: ordinary deadline to cancel with effect from 1 January
• 30 June: deadline to switch mid-year (only after 3 years with the same insurer)

How to count the days: the postmark counts

For cancellation, the postmark is what counts, not the date of arrival. A registered letter posted by midnight on 30 November is valid even if the insurer receives it on 2 December. However, to be safe, we recommend sending the cancellation at least a week before the deadline. This gives you time to fix any mistakes (missing signature, wrong policy number).

What happens if you miss the deadline

If you do not cancel by 30 November, the contract is automatically renewed for the following year. There is no way to leave earlier, except in exceptional cases (such as moving to another country). The only consolation is that you have the whole year to prepare well for the next switch. Mark 30 November right now as a recurring event in your phone’s calendar.

Extraordinary cancellation: the October window

Every year at the end of September the Federal Council announces premium changes for the following year. If your premium rises by a percentage above the cantonal average, you have the right to cancel by 31 October. This right is guaranteed by law even if you have cancelled in the past. Extraordinary cancellation takes the same form as ordinary cancellation: registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.

Practical tips to avoid mistakes

• Always use registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt (not regular mail)
• Include in the letter: name, date of birth, policy number, signature
• Do not wait until you have found the new insurer to cancel the old one
• Keep all documentation (postal receipt, insurer’s confirmation)
• Before cancelling, obtain written confirmation from the new insurer