Practical guide to Geneva · 03
Health insurance in Geneva: the LAMal guide
Obligation, 3-month deadline, deductible, co-payment, insurance models, subsidies and changing insurer: understanding Swiss health insurance when you arrive in Geneva.
The essentials
A compulsory, individual insurance
In Switzerland, compulsory basic health insurance (LAMal) covers illness and accident. Anyone who takes up residence in Geneva must in principle take out cover within 3 months, even if their permit is still being processed.
Insurance is individual: each family member has their own. Basic benefits are the same everywhere; what changes is the premium, the deductible and the model you choose.
Compare on Priminfo
The deadline
When and how to take out cover?
Check your situation
Some international situations follow special rules.
Compare insurers
Premium, deductible and model on Priminfo, the official comparison tool.
Take out cover
Within 3 months of taking up residence.
Send the certificate
To the Health Insurance Service (SAM); otherwise automatic affiliation may occur.
Key figures
Deductible, co-payment: how much will you pay?
Cost sharing set by the Confederation.
| Adults | Children (under 18) | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard deductible | CHF 300 per year | None |
| Optional deductibles | CHF 500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000 or 2,500 | CHF 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 or 600 |
| Co-payment | 10% of costs, max. CHF 700 per year | 10% of costs, max. CHF 350 per year |
| Hospital contribution | CHF 15 per day | None |
Source: Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). Example: with a CHF 300 deductible, an adult pays at most CHF 1,000 per year (excluding premiums).
Compare
What should you compare before choosing an insurer?
-
The premium
The monthly amount, which varies by insurer, region and age.
-
The deductible
The higher it is, the lower the premium… and the more you pay when you need care.
-
The model
Standard, family doctor, HMO or telemedicine.
-
Accident cover
To exclude if your employer already insures you against accidents.
Help and switching
Subsidies and changing insurer
Financial help
Subsidies in Geneva
The canton may reduce your premium depending on your income and family situation.
- Subject to income conditions
- Sometimes you must apply yourself
- Scales updated every year
Every autumn
Changing insurer
New premiums are announced before 31 October: it is the time to compare.
- Termination received by 30 November at the latest
- Change effective on 1 January
- Priminfo advises sending it before 15 November
Mini-lexicon
The vocabulary of health insurance
- LAMal
- Federal Health Insurance Act: it defines compulsory basic insurance.
- Health insurer (caisse maladie)
- The insurer that offers basic insurance (and often supplementary cover).
- Premium
- The amount you pay your insurer every month.
- Deductible (franchise)
- The annual share of costs you pay before insurance contributes.
- Co-payment (quote-part)
- 10% of costs after the deductible, capped each year.
- Subsidy
- Cantonal aid that reduces the premium according to income and family.
- Supplementary insurance
- Optional cover on top of the basic one (VVG): dental, private hospital stay…
- Alternative model
- Family doctor, HMO or telemedicine: a reduced premium in return for a defined care pathway.
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Official sources
Rules and procedures may change and depend on your situation. Always check the information published by the authorities before taking any step.
Frequently asked questions
Health insurance in Geneva: your questions
Is health insurance compulsory in Geneva?
In principle yes: anyone who takes up residence in Switzerland must be insured for basic care (LAMal). Some international situations follow special rules.
What is the deadline for taking out insurance?
Cover must be effective within 3 months of taking up residence in Geneva. The insurance certificate is sent to the Health Insurance Service (SAM).
What is the deductible?
The annual amount you pay yourself before insurance covers costs. For adults, the standard deductible is CHF 300; you can choose CHF 500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000 or 2,500 for a lower premium.
What is the co-payment?
After the deductible, you pay 10% of costs, up to CHF 700 per year for an adult and CHF 350 for a child.
How do I compare premiums?
With Priminfo, the Confederation’s official comparison tool: basic benefits are the same with all insurers; only the premium and services change.
How do I change health insurer?
To change basic insurance on 1 January, your termination must reach your insurer by 30 November at the latest. New premiums are announced before 31 October.
Is there help to pay premiums?
Yes: in Geneva, subsidies can reduce the premium depending on income and family situation. Some newly registered residents must apply themselves.
Is accident cover included?
Basic insurance covers illness and accident. If your employer already insures you against accidents, you can in principle exclude this cover from your health insurance.
Practical guide to Geneva
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Last updated: October 2026 · Guide written by the Alliance Française de Genève
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