Subsidies
Premium reduction subsidies: are you entitled to a contribution?
Many Swiss families do not know they are entitled to subsidies that cut the cost of health insurance. Check your situation now.
In Switzerland there is a system of public subsidies to reduce the burden of health insurance premiums on low- and middle-income families. It is called IPR (Individual Premium Reduction) and is financed by the cantons with a contribution from the Confederation. Every year about CHF 2.3 billion is distributed, but a significant share is not claimed for lack of information.
Who is entitled to IPR subsidies
The criteria vary from canton to canton, but in general the following are entitled to subsidies: singles with a taxable income of up to about CHF 56,000 per year, couples up to about CHF 84,000, and families with children with higher thresholds. Some cantons such as Zurich and Bern have automatic systems that calculate the subsidy from the tax return. In other cantons, such as Ticino, you must submit an explicit application.
How to apply for the subsidy: canton by canton
The first step is to contact your municipality of residence or the competent cantonal office (in Ticino it is Soppas, in Zurich the Sozialamt, in Vaud the Service de l’assurance maladie). The procedure generally requires: your latest salary certificate or tax return, your ID document, your health insurance details (policy number), and for families, the details of dependent children.
- Ticino: application via Soppas, subsidy up to CHF 3,200 per year per adult
- Zurich: automatic calculation, direct credit to the policy
- Vaud: online application via the cantonal portal, answer within 30 days
- Bern: form on the canton’s website, thresholds updated every year
How much you can concretely receive
Amounts vary significantly. In Ticino an adult with an income below CHF 40,000 can receive up to CHF 3,200 per year in subsidy, which fully or almost fully covers the monthly premium. In Zurich a family with two children and an average income can receive CHF 1,500–2,500 per year. The exact calculation depends on income, household composition and the actual premium of the chosen insurer.
Subsidies and choice of insurer: a double advantage
An effective strategy is to combine the subsidy application with a comparison of health insurers. If you receive a fixed subsidy and choose the cheapest insurer for your canton, you maximise your net savings. Many insured people entitled to a subsidy stay with expensive insurers, losing out twice. CassaOK shows you the estimated net premium after subsidy for your profile, so you can decide with all the numbers in hand.
More blog articles
Guides
Health insurance in Ticino 2027: premiums, regions and what to know
For people living in Ticino, the new health insurance premiums are one of the main novelties for 2027. The publication of the premiums shows how the cost of basic insurance will change next year and makes it possible to compare the available options.
Guides
Health insurance comparison 2027: how to compare premiums in Switzerland
With the publication of the new 2027 premiums, many insured people face the same question: how can I tell whether my premium is still competitive?
News
Health insurance premiums 2027 in Ticino: how much they rise and what changes
For insured people in Ticino there is an important difference compared to the national figure: in 2027 health insurance premiums will rise, but the average increase in Ticino will be lower than the Swiss one.
