Basic vs. Supplementary Insurance: What Is the Difference?
In Switzerland there are two insurance layers with different laws: basic insurance is mandatory, supplementary insurance voluntary. Compando explains the differences in acceptance, costs and switching.
1. What is the difference between basic and supplementary insurance?
The mandatory basic insurance covers the medically necessary services and is identical at all insurers. The voluntary supplementary insurance complements this basic coverage with comfort, free choice of hospital, complementary medicine or extended international coverage and differs between insurers and policies.
Both insurances follow different laws within the Swiss health insurance system. Basic insurance is subject to the Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG) with acceptance obligation and a uniform benefits catalogue. Supplementary insurance follows the Insurance Contract Act (VVG) with contractual freedom and an individual benefits package.
The premiums of the basic insurance vary by plan model, deductible and region. With supplementary insurance, premiums depend on age at conclusion, health status, the chosen benefits package and the insurer.
2. Can the insurer reject me?
At acceptance, the biggest legal difference shows. Basic insurance must accept every person. With supplementary insurance, the insurer can reject the application, attach policy restrictions or accept under limited conditions.
Basic insurance: acceptance obligation for all
Basic insurance is mandatory and follows the Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG). Under the Health Insurance Supervision Act (KVAG), every insurer must accept every person, regardless of age, pre-existing conditions or place of residence. A health questionnaire is legally not permitted, policy restrictions are excluded.
Supplementary insurance: contractual freedom of the insurer
Supplementary insurance is voluntary and follows the Insurance Contract Act (VVG). The insurer may examine every application for supplementary insurance, ask health questions and decide on acceptance or rejection according to its own criteria. A policy restriction excludes certain benefits from coverage for a limited or unlimited period. With existing pre-existing conditions or at higher age, the risk of rejection rises significantly.
Important: apply early
Anyone wishing supplementary insurance should ideally apply before the age of 30 and before the first occurrence of chronic complaints. Young, healthy persons are usually accepted without policy restriction. The health questionnaire must be answered truthfully.
3. How high are the costs of basic and supplementary insurance?
The average monthly premium for basic insurance in Switzerland in 2026 is around CHF 393 per adult. The range varies depending on canton, plan model and deductible from around CHF 300 in Zug or Appenzell Innerrhoden to over CHF 500 in Ticino, Geneva or Basel-Stadt. On average, premiums rise by 4.4 percent in 2026 compared to 2025. Within some cantons, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) additionally subdivides into premium regions with their own averages per place of residence.
This is how the cost structure breaks down per insurance type:
With basic insurance you have three important savings options: a higher deductible saves up to CHF 1'540 per year, an alternative insurance model like family doctor, Telmed or HMO lowers the premium by 10 to 25 percent, and a switch to a cheaper insurer brings savings of several hundred francs per year. Further options in saving on health insurance premiums include collective discounts, dropping the accident coverage for UVG-insured persons and prepayment of the annual premium. With supplementary insurance, insured persons have less influence on the premium. Anyone who concludes a contract young and healthy benefits from lower entry premiums and avoids rejections or policy restrictions at higher age.
Compare basic and supplementary insurance
Basic insurance offers identical benefits with premium differences of several hundred francs per year. With supplementary insurance, benefits, conditions and premiums differ between insurers.
4. When can I switch basic and supplementary insurance?
Basic insurance
You can switch the basic insurance annually on 31 December. Anyone who finds a cheaper offer in the insurance comparison cancels by 30 November at the latest with the previous insurer. The minimum term is at most one year, exception: tied bonus models. With the Compando termination templates you fulfil all mandatory information and formalities.
Supplementary insurance
Supplementary insurance follows different rules. The notice period is usually 3 months before contract end. Anyone wishing to switch by 1 January must cancel by end of September. The minimum term is often 1 to 3 years. When switching to another insurer, there is no right to a new contract. The new insurer may reject the application or attach policy restrictions. With the ordinary termination of supplementary insurance, different general conditions apply depending on the insurer.
Important: order when switching
Only cancel the existing supplementary insurance once the written acceptance confirmation of the new insurer is available. Otherwise you risk a gap without supplementary coverage. Also pay attention to the AVB deadlines of your previous insurer.
5. Is supplementary insurance worthwhile in Switzerland?
Whether supplementary insurance is worthwhile depends on individual benefit needs. Five typical life situations with suitable supplementary insurance:
- Semi-private or private in the hospital: A hospital supplementary insurance allows free choice of doctor and two-bed or single-bed rooms.
- Regular dental costs or braces: A dental supplementary insurance covers caries, crowns and tooth alignment.
- Use of osteopathy, acupuncture or homeopathy: A supplementary insurance for complementary medicine covers part of the treatment costs, which otherwise quickly amount to several hundred francs per year.
- Frequent foreign travel: International coverage closes the gap between Swiss tariff and actual treatment costs abroad.
- Glasses, contact lenses or fitness: An outpatient package covers contributions up to several hundred francs per year.
In the supplementary insurance comparison you see premiums and conditions of all Swiss insurers suited to your profile.
Compare supplementary insurances
Needs around comfort, coverage and benefits package are individual. Since premiums and conditions differ between insurers, a direct comparison pays off.
