Choosing the optimal deductible: How to save up to CHF 1,540 annually.
Deductible 300 or 2500? In Switzerland, the wrong choice costs a lot of money. Our AI calculator finds the mathematically perfect level for your health.
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CHF 2500
With these costs, you save significantly on the premium despite the higher deductible.
The Swiss Deductible System: A Lever for Your Premiums
The deductible (franchise) is, alongside the insurance model, the strongest factor in lowering your health insurance premiums. Choosing the risk wisely can massively relieve your household budget..
According to the KVG, the deductible is the fixed amount that an insured person must pay per calendar year toward the costs of the services they use (doctor, medication, hospital). Only once this amount is reached does the health insurance company's cost-sharing begin. The legislator's goal is to promote self-responsibility and reduce unnecessary doctor visits.
What is the Deductible? Definition & How it Works
In Switzerland, a strict distinction is made between the deductible (franchise) and the retention fee (Selbstbehalt).
The deductible is the fixed amount (e.g., CHF 2,500). Once this is exhausted, you additionally pay a retention fee of 10% of further costs, but at most CHF 700 per year. This means your maximum annual financial risk with a 2,500 deductible is CHF 3,200 (plus potential hospital costs contributions).
Deductible
Selectable for adults: 300, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 CHF.
Retention Fee
10% of costs after the deductible, max. CHF 700/year.
Savings
Premium discount: The higher the deductible, the lower the monthly premium.
300 vs. 2500: The Battle of Extremes
Swiss health insurance is designed so that the middle deductibles (500, 1000, 1500, 2000) are often a 'bad bet'. The premium discount gained is proportionally lower than the additional financial risk taken.
When is the 300 Deductible Worthwhile?
- You have chronic illnesses or regularly need expensive medication.
- You expect surgery or childbirth in the coming year.
- Your annual healthcare costs are consistently above CHF 1,900 - 2,000.
When is the 2500 Deductible Worthwhile?
- You are young, healthy, and almost never visit the doctor.
- Your healthcare costs per year are below CHF 1,700.
- You have immediate access to CHF 3,200 (emergency fund) in case of accident or illness.
The Mathematics of the Breakeven Point
Where is the magic line?
The breakeven point is the amount of healthcare costs at which both deductibles (300 and 2500) cost exactly the same. For most Swiss health insurers, this point lies between CHF 1,750 and CHF 1,850 in healthcare costs per year.
The Rule of Thumb for Experts:
Healthcare costs < CHF 1,800 → Choose the 2,500 deductible. Healthcare costs > CHF 1,800 → Choose the 300 deductible. Everything in between is a gray area where the 2,500 usually offers psychological risk, but the 300 offers safety.
The PrimAI Insider Tip: The Deductible Reserve
If you choose the 2,500 deductible, you save about CHF 128 per month in premiums. Consistently put this amount into a separate savings account. After two healthy years, you will have already 'saved up' your deductible and carry no real financial risk anymore.
Special Cases: Children, Maternity & Accidents
Maternity
Good news: Benefits for normal pregnancy and birth are exempt from the deductible and retention fee from the 13th week of pregnancy. Nevertheless, it is recommended to switch to the 300 deductible before a planned pregnancy in case complications (regarded as illness) occur.
Deductibles for Children
For children, the 0 deductible is almost always the best choice. The premium difference to higher child deductibles is often so small (a few francs) that the risk of even a single doctor's visit isn't worth it.
Accident Coverage
If you are insured against accidents through your employer (more than 8h/week), you can exclude accident coverage from basic insurance. This saves another 7% in premiums. In this case, the SUVA/accident insurer pays from the first franc – without a deductible!
Frequently Asked Questions about the Deductible
When is the final deadline for changing the deductible?
Do dental costs count toward the deductible?
Are preventive check-ups exempt from the deductible?
Can I change the deductible during the year?
What happens if I can't pay the deductible?
Is the 1500 deductible never worth it?
Still unsure about your choice?
Our experts will review your personal situation and find the optimal solution for you in terms of taxes and premiums.
As of: March 2026. Based on KVG Art. 103.