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CSS Insurance

Cantonal premium reductions

Individuals living in modest circumstances can apply to the canton in which they live for financial assistance with their health insurance premiums.

This contribution is known as a premium reduction.

CSS Insurance receives the premium reduction from the cantonal authorities. This amount is then credited directly to your premium statement.

Who is entitled to the premium reduction?

  • You live in modest financial circumstances
    • The taxable income on your most recent definitive tax return determines your entitlement  
    • The calculation basis differs from canton to canton
  • You live in Switzerland and pay for mandatory basic insurance
  • You are domiciled in Switzerland for tax purposes on 1 January

Applying for a premium reduction – How to proceed

Apply to the information office in your canton of residence; your legal place of residence on 1 January is what counts.

Please be aware of the deadline: The application deadline differs from canton to canton. Submit your application on time; late applications may be turned down by the cantonal authorities.

Once the cantons have provided us with the data of everyone who qualifies, we can give the premium reduction back to you – you will then see it on your premium statement.

Canton Information from Status of data 2020 Considered with premium statement Date of shipment of the premium statement
AG SVA Aarau Data partially received January 2020 December 2019
AR Compensation and IV Office Appenzell Ausserrhoden Data not yet received    
AI Department of Health and Social Affairs AI Data not yet received    
BL Social Insurance Office Basel Landschaft Data not yet received    
BS Office for Social Contributions Basel-Stadt Data partially received January 2020 December 2019
BE Office of Social Insurance Data not yet received    
FR Cantonal Compensation Office Data received January 2020 December 2019
GE Geneva Health Insurance Service Data not yet received    
GL Tax Administrationi of Canton Glarus Data not yet received    
GR Social Insurance Offe of Canton Graubünden Data not yet received    
JU Cantonal Compensation Office of Canton Jura Data not yet received    
LU Lucerne Compensation Office Data not yet received    
NE Cantonal Health Insurance Office Data not yet received    
NW Nidwalden Compensation Office Data not yet received    
OW Office of Health of Canton Obwalden Data not yet received    
SH SVA Schaffhausen Data partially received January 2020 December 2019
SZ Schwyz Compensation Office Data not yet received    
SO Compensation Office of Canton Solothurn Data partially received January 2020 December 2019
SG SVA St. Gallen Data not yet received    
TI Health Insurance Subsidy Service Data partially received January 2020 December 2019
TG Office of Health of Canton Thurgau Data not yet received    
UR Office of Health Data not yet received    
VD Vaud Health Insurance Office (OVAM)
 Data not yet received    
VS Cantonal Compensation Office of Canton Valais Data not yet received    
ZG Zug Compensation Office Data not yet received    
ZH SVA Zürich Data partially received January 2020 December 2019
Abroad KVG Collective Institution Data not yet received    

Further details about the premium reduction

We cannot factor a premium reduction in to your premium statement until your legal place of residence has notified us of the amount of that reduction. Until then, our hands are tied.

  • Premium reductions are governed by Art. 65 of the Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG)
  • Premium reduction contributions are passed on from all cantons to health insurers directly, and deducted from the premium statement

Do you have any questions?

Our client advisors will be happy to take time to discuss your personal needs.