Health insurance premiums Canton Glarus: bands, deductibles and reduction (cross-border guide)

Context

In brief

• LAMal mandatory for all residents, to be taken out within 3 months
• Adult deductibles available: 300‑2500 CHF
• Premium reduction is a cantonal subsidy, subject to eligibility

Key facts

Mandatory → yes Enrollment deadline → 3 months Deductibles available → 300/500/1000/1500/2000/2500 CHF Premium reduction → cantonal subsidy Premiums → per capita, vary by canton

In the Canton of Glarus the compulsory health insurance (LAMal, also known as KVG) follows national rules: all residents must take it out within three months of moving. Premiums are set at cantonal level, so they can differ from one canton to another, but the basic structure is common to the whole Confederation. 📊

Adult deductibles are set at six levels: 300, 500, 1 000, 1 500, 2 000 and 2 500 CHF. The insured chooses the deductible at the time of subscription; a higher deductible lowers the monthly premium but increases the amount of expenses to be covered in case of care. The premium is calculated per capita, i.e., it is not linked to salary contributions or income tax.

The Canton of Glarus also provides a subsidy for premium reduction, intended for families and individuals who meet specific income requirements. The reduction is not automatic: an application must be submitted to the cantonal health department, attaching documentation proving the financial situation. The procedure is open annually and decisions are communicated within a few weeks.

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Operational details

Practical analysis

The mechanism of reducing LAMal premiums in the Canton of Glarus has concrete repercussions both on household budgets and on the canton’s competitiveness compared to other Swiss regions. Before the subsidy was introduced, families had to bear the full premium, regardless of income. With the reduction, low‑income families see a decrease in their monthly cost, helping to contain the cost of living, a factor that also affects housing expenses and consumption.

From a fiscal perspective, the premium reduction does not directly affect the federal direct tax nor VAT, but it reduces discretionary household spending, leaving more room for the payment of other taxes such as cantonal and municipal ones. Moreover, the savings can be directed to investments in retirement products such as the third pillar (3a), or to voluntary contributions to the LPP/BVG, improving the pension position.

Another relevant aspect is the comparison with cantons that have introduced a cantonal minimum wage. Glarus does not have a federal minimum wage, but the reduction of LAMal premiums can act as an "indirect benefit" for lower‑paid workers, compensating for the absence of a minimum wage threshold.

Hypothetical scenario

Imagine a family with two adults and two children, an annual taxable income of CHF 80,000. Choosing a deductible of CHF 1,500, the average monthly premium per adult is about CHF 300 (value not yet specified). Without the reduction, the annual expense would be about CHF 7,200. With the cantonal subsidy, the reduction could fall to 20 % of the premium, saving roughly CHF 1,440 per year. This amount, if allocated to voluntary contributions to the LPP, would increase the future pension by a few hundred francs.

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Key points

Step-by-step action

1. Check the expiry – Check that your LAMal insurance has been taken out within the first three months of moving to Switzerland. If the deadline has passed, contact your insurer to regularize the position. 2. Collect the documentation – Prepare to provide: certificate of residence, most recent tax return, certificate of family composition and copy of the LAMal insurance contract with the chosen deductible. 3. Access the cantonal portal – Visit the official website of the Glarus Health Department and select the "LAMal premium reduction request" section. Enter the required data and attach the documents in PDF format. 4. Fill in the form – Follow the step-by-step instructions; the form asks for information on taxable income, the number of dependents and the chosen deductible. If in doubt, use our health to compare the different deductible options. 5. Submit the question – After verifying the correctness of the data, submit the request. The health department will evaluate the practice within 2-3 weeks. 6. Receive confirmation – If approved, you will receive a written communication with the amount of the reduction and the effective date. Update your insurer with the new premium quota. 7. Monitor annual deadlines – The reduction is granted for a period of one year. Before the deadline, check if you need to resubmit

First day as a cross-border worker? Our practical guide walks you from cantonal registration to your first paycheck.