Health insurance premiums: full reform by 2029, first phase in 2027
The Ticino Cantonal Government presents the programme for implementing the two popular initiatives on health insurance premiums. An annual cost of CHF 61.4 million from 2027, funded through savings and revenue. Gradual rollout until 2029.
Contesto
Bellinzona, 15 April 2026 — The Ticino State Council today unveiled, during a press conference held at the Government Palace, the government programme for implementing the two popular initiatives approved last 28 September: one promoted by the Socialist Party (SP) calling for a limit on premiums to 10% of disposable income, and the other by the League proposing full tax deductibility of premiums. The first phase of the reform will come into force in 2027, but only if the cantonal Parliament approves the plan within the set deadlines. The total annual cost amounts to CHF 61.4 million, of which CHF 51 million will be covered by the canton and CHF 10.4 million by the municipalities. To finance the canton’s share, the State Council proposes an equal split: CHF 25 million through annual expenditure savings and CHF 25 million through new revenue, without increasing the deficit. ### The two initiatives in brief - SP initiative: maximum limit of 10% of disposable income for health insurance premiums. The government intends to adjust the calculation parameters of subsidies (RIPAM), intervening on the constants that determine the maximum disposable incomes (RDM). The goal is to significantly increase the amount of subsidies already from 2027, with an additional estimated cost of CHF 38 million per year for the canton. This will lead to an increase in beneficiaries from 115,000 to around 123,000 people (between 7,200 and 8,000 more), with an increase in subsidies already envisaged in the automatic system (PMR), which in 2025 reached CHF 426 million. - League initiative: full tax deductibility of premiums. From the 2027 tax period, the maximum deductions would be increased by 20%, rising from CHF 5,500 to CHF 6,500 for single individuals and from CHF 10,900 to CHF 13,000 for marr...
Dettagli operativi
What changes concretely for cross-border workers in Ticino? Cross-border workers residing in Ticino but working in Lombardy are among the most affected by this reform, particularly concerning the deductibility of health insurance premiums from taxes. Currently, Ticino’s tax regulations allow deductions of up to 5,500 francs for single individuals and 10,900 francs for married couples. Starting in 2027, these amounts will increase to 6,500 and 13,000 francs respectively, providing an immediate tax saving when filing annual returns. #### Practical case: a single cross-border worker in Mendrisio - Annual income: 80,000 francs - Current health insurance premiums: approximately 5,000 francs per year - Current deductibility: 5,500 francs (so the premium is fully deductible) - Deductibility from 2027: 6,500 francs (additional saving of 1,000 francs) For married couples with children, the increase in deductibility could reach an extra 2,100 francs per year, depending on the amount of premiums paid. This translates into a lower tax burden and greater liquidity available for everyday expenses. 📊 Comparison with the previous situation - Before 2026: no limits on premiums, deductibility up to 5,500/10,900 francs. - From 2027: 10% income limit on premiums (only for the SP initiative) and increased deductibility (for the Lega initiative). - From 2029: full implementation of both initiatives, with methods still to be defined. 💡 Possible scenarios for cross-border workers 1. If income is low: the increase in deductibility can almost entirely cover premiums, making healthcare access less burdensome. 2. If income is medium-high: the 10% premium limit can provide significant relief, especially for those with dependents. 3. If already in financial difficulty: the reform introduces a...
Punti chiave
What cross-border workers in Ticino need to do to benefit from the reform The reform will only come into force if approved by the Ticino Parliament by 2026, but it is worth preparing now to maximize benefits. Here are the concrete steps to take: #### 1. Check your tax situation From 2027, deductions for health insurance premiums will automatically increase. However, you should check your 2026 tax return (to be submitted in 2027) to ensure the amount of premiums paid is correctly reported. If you already have a policy, you won’t need to do anything: the reform will automatically update the deductibility limits. #### 2. Update documents for subsidies (RIPAM) If you are among the estimated 123,000 beneficiaries of subsidies (an increase of 8,000), you will need to apply for RIPAM (Reddito di Integrazione per l’Accesso alle Cure). The Ticino government has announced that parameters will be adjusted as early as 2027, but the access procedures have not yet been published. Keep an eye on updates on the DSS (Dipartimento della Sanità e Socialità) website of the Canton of Ticino. #### 3. Monitor parliamentary deadlines The reform must pass the Ticino Grand Council by 2026. To stay informed in real time, subscribe to the official newsletters of the State Council or follow parliamentary work on the Grand Council website. #### 4. Use calculation tools To estimate the tax savings from the increased deductions, you can use the cross-border worker tax calculator. Simply enter your annual income and the amount of premiums paid to get an estimate of the tax benefit. #### 5. Contact the relevant services if you have questions - For subsidies (RIPAM): DSS Ticino - For tax deductions: Agenzia delle Entrate Ticino - For work permits: DFE Ticino ### Key deadlines to remember | Date |...
Punti chiave
[{"q":"Were the two initiatives on health insurance premiums approved in 2025 or 2026?","a":"The two popular initiatives were approved on 28 September 2025, as stated in the Ticino State Council press conference on 15 April 2026. The first phase of the reform is scheduled for 2027, with full implementation by 2029."},{"q":"How much will the first phase of the reform cost the Canton of Ticino in 2027?","a":"The first phase of the reform, planned for 2027, will have an annual total cost of CHF 61.4 million. Of this amount, CHF 51 million will be covered by the Canton of Ticino and CHF 10.4 million by the municipalities. The canton’s share will be financed half (CHF 25 million) by savings on annual expenses and the other half (CHF 25 million) by new revenue."},{"q":"How will the CHF 51 million for the Canton of Ticino be financed?","a":"The CHF 51 million for the Canton of Ticino will be financed by approximately CHF 25 million through savings on annual expenses and around CHF 25 million via new revenue. The State Council has not specified further details on how these new revenues will be generated, but it has ruled out increasing the canton’s deficit."},{"q":"What are the new limits for deducting health insurance premiums starting in 2027?","a":"From the 2027 tax period, the deductible limits for health insurance premiums will increase by 20%. For single individuals, the maximum deduction will rise from CHF 5,500 to CHF 6,500. For married couples, it will go from CHF 10,900 to CHF 13,000. This benefit will apply to approximately 90,000 taxpayers in Ticino."},{"q":"How many Ticino cross-border workers could benefit from the increase in RIPAM subsidies?","a":"The increase in RIPAM subsidies, scheduled for 2027, will benefit an additional 7,200–8,000 people compared with the...
Frequently Asked Questions
- Were the two initiatives on health insurance premiums approved in 2025 or 2026?
- The two popular initiatives were approved on 28 September 2025, as stated in the Ticino State Council press conference on 15 April 2026. The first phase of the reform is scheduled for 2027, with full implementation by 2029.
- How much will the first phase of the reform cost the Canton of Ticino in 2027?
- The first phase of the reform, planned for 2027, will have an annual total cost of CHF 61.4 million. Of this amount, CHF 51 million will be covered by the Canton of Ticino and CHF 10.4 million by the municipalities. The canton’s share will be financed half (CHF 25 million) by savings on annual expenses and the other half (CHF 25 million) by new revenue.
- How will the CHF 51 million for the Canton of Ticino be financed?
- The CHF 51 million for the Canton of Ticino will be financed by approximately CHF 25 million through savings on annual expenses and around CHF 25 million via new revenue. The State Council has not specified further details on how these new revenues will be generated, but it has ruled out increasing the canton’s deficit.
- What are the new limits for deducting health insurance premiums starting in 2027?
- From the 2027 tax period, the deductible limits for health insurance premiums will increase by 20%. For single individuals, the maximum deduction will rise from CHF 5,500 to CHF 6,500. For married couples, it will go from CHF 10,900 to CHF 13,000. This benefit will apply to approximately 90,000 taxpayers in Ticino.
- How many Ticino cross-border workers could benefit from the increase in RIPAM subsidies?
- The increase in RIPAM subsidies, scheduled for 2027, will benefit an additional 7,200–8,000 people compared with the current 115,000 recipients. The total number of people who could access the subsidies will therefore rise to around 123,000. This increase is funded by an additional CHF 38 million allocated by the Canton of Ticino.
- Does the reform introduce a 10% cap on health insurance premiums for all residents of Ticino?
- Yes, the reform introduces a maximum cap of 10% of disposable income for health insurance premiums, as provided for in the SP’s initiative. This cap will be gradually implemented starting in 2027 and will be fully operational by 2029.
- What happens if my income exceeds the 10% cap for health insurance premiums?
- If your income exceeds the 10% cap for health insurance premiums, the RIPAM subsidy system will cover the difference for low incomes. For middle-to-high incomes, the increased tax deductions will ease the burden, but there will be no direct reimbursement of excess premiums.