# Premium subsidies: who is entitled and how to apply?

> Individual premium reduction (IPV): who is entitled in Switzerland, how to apply in your canton and which deadlines apply, with a checklist and saving tips.

Source: https://easyall.ch/en/ratgeber/praemienverbilligung
Updated: 2026-11-03

For many households, health insurance premiums are among the largest fixed costs. The individual premium reduction (IPV) noticeably relieves people of modest means, but entitlement is regulated by the cantons, and it is not checked automatically everywhere. This guide shows who is entitled, how the application works and which deadlines you should know.

## What is the individual premium reduction (IPV)?

Basic insurance (OKP) is compulsory for everyone residing in Switzerland, regardless of income. So that the premium burden remains bearable, the Health Insurance Act (Art. 65 KVG) obliges the cantons to grant an individual premium reduction to insured persons of modest means.

Your canton of residence is always responsible. The application, the requirements and the amount of the reduction therefore differ from canton to canton; information is available from the cantonal compensation office or the tax office. Important to know: the reduction is not paid out to you but transferred directly to your health insurer and offset against the premium there; it appears as a deduction on your premium invoice.

## Who is entitled to premium subsidies?

People on lower incomes are entitled. In most cantons, tax data is decisive, for example taxable income, sometimes supplemented by a share of assets. There are no uniform income limits across Switzerland: each canton decides for itself from which income level and by how much premiums are reduced.

The law protects two groups in particular: where incomes are lower or middle, cantons have to cut premiums for children by 80 percent or more, and for [young adults](https://easyall.ch/en/ratgeber/junge-erwachsene-praemien) in education or training by 50 percent or more (Art. 65 para. 1bis KVG). [Families](https://easyall.ch/en/ratgeber/krankenkasse-familie-sparen) on middle incomes in particular are therefore often entitled without knowing it.

- Individuals and families on lower or middle incomes (the limits are set by the canton of residence)
- Families with children: a reduction of at least 80% of children's premiums for lower and middle incomes
- Young adults (19–25) in education or training: a reduction of at least 50% for lower and middle incomes
- Recipients of supplementary benefits to AHV/IV or of social assistance: premiums are usually taken into account automatically through these systems

## How to apply for premium subsidies, step by step

How you apply depends on the canton: some cantons inform eligible persons automatically on the basis of tax data, while in others you have to take action yourself and submit an application. Don't rely on the canton getting in touch; a quick enquiry is worth it.

- 1. Find the responsible office: the cantonal compensation office or the tax office of your canton of residence (search: “Prämienverbilligung” plus the name of the canton).
- 2. Clarify the procedure: will you be contacted automatically, or do you need to submit an application? What is the submission deadline, and can the reduction be granted retroactively?
- 3. Prepare the documents: your latest tax assessment or tax return, the health insurance policies of all family members and, for young adults, proof of education or training.
- 4. Submit the application on time; many cantons offer online forms for this.
- 5. Check the decision and report changes: income, marital status, a new family member or a move can change your entitlement.

## Special situations: drop in income, moving within Switzerland, moving to Switzerland

If your income falls significantly, for example after losing your job, when starting university or after a divorce, it is worth checking immediately rather than waiting for the next tax assessment: many cantons take your current financial situation into account on request. If you lose your job, you should check not only your [accident cover](https://easyall.ch/en/ratgeber/unfalldeckung-krankenkasse) (the employer's UVG insurance only continues for 31 days) but also premium subsidies straight away.

If you [move to another canton](https://easyall.ch/en/ratgeber/praemienregionen-schweiz), the procedure starts again: entitlement is always based on your current canton of residence, and an existing decision does not move with you automatically. If you are [new to Switzerland](https://easyall.ch/en/ratgeber/zuzug-schweiz-krankenkasse), you must first take out insurance with a health insurer within three months (with a permit, counted from your registration at the residents' registration office, Art. 7 para. 1 KVV); after that, it is worth checking your IPV entitlement in your canton of residence.

## Save twice: premium subsidies plus switching insurer

Premium subsidies depend on your income, not on your health insurer. [Switching insurer](https://easyall.ch/en/ratgeber/krankenkasse-wechseln) therefore does not cost you your entitlement; simply report the switch to the responsible cantonal office. In many cantons, the amount is also based on cantonal reference premiums rather than your actual premium: if you switch to a cheaper insurer, you keep the reduction and save in addition. By law, basic insurance benefits are identical at every insurer anyway.

In terms of timing, the two fit together well: the 2027 premiums have been published since 29 September 2026, and the switching season is now under way. Your cancellation must reach your current insurer by the end of November for the switch on 1 January 2027 to work. In the [easyall calculator](https://easyall.ch/en/calculator), you compare the official premiums free of charge for the whole family in one go, the cancellation letter is created automatically with your application, and for supplementary insurance the focus is on cover. easy, our AI guide, also answers questions about premium reductions, deductibles or models directly in the chat.

## FAQ

### Do I have to apply for premium subsidies again every year?

That depends on the canton: some cantons check entitlement automatically every year on the basis of tax data, while others require a new application every year. Clarify the procedure with the cantonal compensation office or the tax office and make a note of the deadline.

### Are premium subsidies paid out to me?

No. The reduction goes directly to your health insurer and is offset against the premium; you see the deduction on your premium invoice.

### Do I lose the reduction if I switch health insurer?

No. Entitlement is based on your income, not on the insurer. Report the switch to the responsible cantonal office so that the reduction is transferred to the new insurer.

### My income is much lower today than in my last tax assessment. What should I do?

Contact the responsible cantonal office directly: many cantons take your current financial situation into account on request, for example after losing your job, after a divorce or when starting education or training.

## Sources

- [Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG), SR 832.10 – official text in German](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1995/1328_1328_1328/de) – Fedlex, Classified Compilation of Federal Legislation
- [Health insurance costs and premium reductions](https://www.ch.ch/en/health/health-insurance/health-insurance-costs/) – ch.ch, Confederation, cantons and communes