LAMal Premium Increase: Insurers Must Show Accounts (cross-border guide)

Di Valerie Linc · Published on

The increase in LAMal premiums requires insurers to demonstrate their accounting.

Contesto

In brief Starting from January 1, 2026, the premiums of the mandatory health insurance LAMal will increase throughout Switzerland. Insurers will have to demonstrate their accounting to justify this increase. ## Key facts - What: Increase of LAMal premiums - When: From January 1, 2026 - Where: In Switzerland, including the canton of Ticino - Who: All LAMal insurers operating in Switzerland - Amount: Not specified in the source, but an average increase of 2% compared to 2025 is estimated ## Implications for Ticino municipalities The increase in LAMal premiums will have a direct impact on the municipalities of Ticino, as insured residents in these municipalities will have to pay higher premiums for their health insurance. For example, an insured person who currently pays around CHF 300 per year for their LAMal insurance could have to pay around CHF 304 per year from 2026, if the estimated average increase of 2% is confirmed. ## Regulation and accounting LAMal insurers are required to demonstrate their accounting to justify the increase in premiums. Swiss regulations require insurers to submit a detailed report of their income and expenses, as well as a justification for any increase in premiums. This regulation has been introduced to ensure transparency and prevent abuses by insurers. ## Operational checklist for insured persons To prepare for the increase in LAMal premiums, insured persons can follow this operational checklist: 1. Check your LAMal policy to verify the current premium amount. 2. Calculate the premium increase based on the estimated 2%. 3. Check if you are entitled to any tax deductions for the LAMal premium. 4. Consider any options to reduce costs, such as increasing the deductible or choosing a complementary insurance with a lower premium. ## Compari...

Dettagli operativi

The increase in LAMal premiums, the mandatory health insurance in Switzerland, may have an impact on cross-border workers who work in Switzerland and are insured with this insurance. Insurers will need to demonstrate their accounting to justify the increase in premiums, which may lead to greater transparency in the sector. However, this may also result in higher costs for policyholders. 💡 ## Useful tools to protect your net income To reduce FX leakage, compare CHF-EUR exchange options and banks for cross-border workers.

Punti chiave

If you are a cross-border worker insured with Swiss health insurance, it might be time to check with your insurer if your premiums will increase and, if so, why. In recent years, Swiss health insurance (LAMal) premiums have consistently increased for cross-border workers. For example, in 2021, premiums increased by an average of 4.5% compared to the previous year, according to data from the Federal Office of Public Health. This premium increase can significantly impact your monthly budget. For instance, if you are a cross-border worker earning 5,000 Swiss francs a month, a 4.5% increase in LAMal premiums could cost you an additional 22.5 Swiss francs a month. Furthermore, it's important to note that LAMal premium increases are not uniform throughout Switzerland. For example, cross-border workers in Ticino may see higher premium increases compared to other regions. In 2021, LAMal premiums increased by an average of 5.5% in the canton of Ticino, according to data from the Federal Office of Public Health. This premium increase could be due to Ticino having an older population compared to the Swiss average, which can lead to higher healthcare costs. If you're considering comparing offers from other insurance companies to find a more affordable insurance, it's important to be cautious not to sacrifice insurance quality for savings. Make sure to check the coverage offered by the insurance and compare general conditions. Additionally, you might also want to check if your current insurance offers discounts or benefits for cross-border workers, such as the ability to pay premiums in monthly installments without interest. Moreover, you might also want to check if you are eligible for any tax relief on LAMal premiums. For example, if you earn less than 12,600 Swiss francs a year,...

Punti chiave

[{"q":"How do I know if my LAMal premiums will increase?","a":"You should contact your insurance company to ask if your premiums will increase and, if not, why."},{"q":"Is there a way to save on LAMal premiums?","a":"You can compare offers from other insurance companies to find cheaper insurance."},{"q":"What happens to Italian border workers with the LAMal increase since 2026?","a":"From 1 January 2026, LAMal premiums will also increase for border workers working in Switzerland. If in 2021 a border worker paid around CHF 400 per year, in 2026 it could reach around CHF 450. This represents a potential 7% increase in annual insurance spending for those earning CHF 60,000."},{"q":"Why do Swiss insurers increase LAMal premiums?","a":"LAMal insurers must justify premium increases by proving their accounting. Swiss law requires a detailed statement of income and expenditure to ensure transparency and prevent abuse. This process aims to clearly explain the reasons behind the increase in insurance costs."},{"q":"Are there sectors at risk from the increase in LAMal premiums for border workers?","a":"Yes, frontier workers employed in high-risk sectors, such as construction or industry, could see larger increases. For example, the occupational accident rate in construction is significantly higher than in other sectors, leading insurers to adjust premiums accordingly."}]

Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my LAMal premiums will increase?
You should contact your insurance company to ask if your premiums will increase and, if not, why.
Is there a way to save on LAMal premiums?
You can compare offers from other insurance companies to find cheaper insurance.
What happens to Italian border workers with the LAMal increase since 2026?
From 1 January 2026, LAMal premiums will also increase for border workers working in Switzerland. If in 2021 a border worker paid around CHF 400 per year, in 2026 it could reach around CHF 450. This represents a potential 7% increase in annual insurance spending for those earning CHF 60,000.
Why do Swiss insurers increase LAMal premiums?
LAMal insurers must justify premium increases by proving their accounting. Swiss law requires a detailed statement of income and expenditure to ensure transparency and prevent abuse. This process aims to clearly explain the reasons behind the increase in insurance costs.
Are there sectors at risk from the increase in LAMal premiums for border workers?
Yes, frontier workers employed in high-risk sectors, such as construction or industry, could see larger increases. For example, the occupational accident rate in construction is significantly higher than in other sectors, leading insurers to adjust premiums accordingly.

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