Swiss Franchise Guide: CHF 300 vs CHF 2,500 — Which Deductible Should Students Choose?

Swiss Franchise: The Deductible That Decides Your Monthly Premium

The Franchise (deductible) is the biggest cost lever you control in Swiss basic insurance. Adults choose a Franchise between CHF 300 and CHF 2,500 a year; after it, you pay 10% of further costs, up to CHF 700 a year. By law, an insurer may cut your premium by at most 70% of the extra risk you take on. Switching from CHF 300 to CHF 2,500 therefore saves at most CHF 1,540 a year (CHF 128.33 a month). If your insurer gives that full discount, both options cost the same at about CHF 2,000 in yearly medical bills: below that, the high Franchise wins; above it, the low one.

This guide walks you through the math, the rules, and the edge cases. If you are new to Swiss health insurance, start with our complete Switzerland KVG guide first — it covers providers, Prämienverbilligung (premium subsidies), and how to sign up. This article is the deep-dive on the Franchise decision.

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What Is the Franchise?

The Franchise (your annual deductible) is the amount you pay out of pocket each calendar year before your health insurance starts covering costs. Every adult insured under the KVG has a Franchise. It applies per calendar year, and the date of treatment decides which year a bill counts towards.

Here is how costs flow in a given year:

1. You pay 100% of medical costs until you hit your Franchise amount.
2. You pay 10% of all costs above the Franchise (this is the Selbstbehalt — co-insurance). The Selbstbehalt is capped at CHF 700 per year for adults.
3. Insurance pays 100% of everything above your Franchise + Selbstbehalt cap.

That means your maximum out-of-pocket per year (excluding premiums) is:

Franchise + CHF 700 = your annual risk ceiling

With CHF 300 Franchise: maximum CHF 1,000 out-of-pocket. With CHF 2,500 Franchise: maximum CHF 3,200 out-of-pocket.

The Franchise applies to doctor visits, specialist consultations, prescriptions, lab work, imaging, hospital stays, and most other KVG-covered treatments — including accident treatment paid by your health insurer.

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Available Franchise Levels for Adults

Adults (from age 19) can choose CHF 300 (the standard Franchise), 500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000 or 2,500. Insurers do not have to offer every level, and they may offer different levels to young adults aged 19–25.

Franchise Level	Extra Risk vs. CHF 300	Maximum Premium Discount (70% of the Extra Risk)	Max. Annual Out-of-Pocket
CHF 300	—	— (standard premium)	CHF 1,000
CHF 500	CHF 200	CHF 140/year (CHF 11.67/month)	CHF 1,200
CHF 1,000	CHF 700	CHF 490/year (CHF 40.83/month)	CHF 1,700
CHF 1,500	CHF 1,200	CHF 840/year (CHF 70/month)	CHF 2,200
CHF 2,000	CHF 1,700	CHF 1,190/year (CHF 99.17/month)	CHF 2,700
CHF 2,500	CHF 2,200	CHF 1,540/year (CHF 128.33/month)	CHF 3,200

These discounts are legal maximums under the federal Health Insurance Ordinance, as explained by the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) — your insurer sets the actual discount, and it can be lower. Two more limits apply: your premium can never fall below 50% of the standard premium with accident cover, and a higher Franchise combined with a GP, HMO or telemedicine model may not bring the premium more than 50% below the standard model with CHF 300. Check the real premiums for your municipality and age group on priminfo.admin.ch, the federal premium calculator.

Why Middle Franchises Rarely Pay Off

If your insurer gives the same share of discount at every level (for example the full 70%), a middle Franchise (CHF 500–2,000) is never cheaper than both CHF 300 and CHF 2,500. Each extra franc of Franchise earns you at most 70 centimes of premium discount. If your bills pass that level, it costs you 90 centimes (the full franc instead of the 10% you would otherwise pay). So the total cost rises with the Franchise up to the size of your bills and falls after it — the cheapest point is always at one of the two ends.

The practical advice: compare CHF 300 and CHF 2,500 first. Look at a middle level only if your insurer’s real premiums show an unusually large discount there.

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The Break-Even Calculation: Real Numbers

This is the calculation every student should run before choosing. The example assumes your insurer gives the maximum legal discount for CHF 2,500 (CHF 1,540 a year). Both options start from the same base premium, so the tables show only what differs: the extra premium you pay for the CHF 300 Franchise, and what you pay out of pocket.

Scenario: CHF 300 vs. CHF 2,500 Franchise

	CHF 300 Franchise	CHF 2,500 Franchise
Extra premium per month	CHF 128.33	CHF 0
Extra premium per year (× 12)	CHF 1,540	CHF 0
Premium savings per year	—	CHF 1,540

Now add what you actually pay when you get sick:

If You Spend CHF 0 on Healthcare (No Doctor Visits)

	CHF 300	CHF 2,500
Extra premium	CHF 1,540	CHF 0
Out-of-pocket	CHF 0	CHF 0
Total cost	CHF 1,540	CHF 0
Winner		CHF 2,500 saves CHF 1,540

If You Spend CHF 500 on Healthcare (A Few Small Bills)

	CHF 300	CHF 2,500
Extra premium	CHF 1,540	CHF 0
Franchise portion	CHF 300	CHF 500
Selbstbehalt (10% of CHF 200 above franchise)	CHF 20	CHF 0
Total cost	CHF 1,860	CHF 500
Winner		CHF 2,500 saves CHF 1,360

If You Spend CHF 1,500 on Healthcare (Several Visits + Medication)

	CHF 300	CHF 2,500
Extra premium	CHF 1,540	CHF 0
Franchise portion	CHF 300	CHF 1,500
Selbstbehalt (10% of CHF 1,200 above franchise)	CHF 120	CHF 0
Total cost	CHF 1,960	CHF 1,500
Winner		CHF 2,500 saves CHF 460

If You Spend CHF 2,000 on Healthcare (Moderate Medical Year)

	CHF 300	CHF 2,500
Extra premium	CHF 1,540	CHF 0
Franchise portion	CHF 300	CHF 2,000
Selbstbehalt (10% of CHF 1,700)	CHF 170	CHF 0
Total cost	CHF 2,010	CHF 2,000
Winner		Roughly equal — CHF 2,500 saves CHF 10

If You Spend CHF 5,000 on Healthcare (Surgery or Chronic Condition)

	CHF 300	CHF 2,500
Extra premium	CHF 1,540	CHF 0
Franchise portion	CHF 300	CHF 2,500
Selbstbehalt	CHF 470	CHF 250
Total cost	CHF 2,310	CHF 2,750
Winner	CHF 300 saves CHF 440

If You Spend CHF 10,000+ on Healthcare (Hospital Stay)

	CHF 300	CHF 2,500
Extra premium	CHF 1,540	CHF 0
Franchise portion	CHF 300	CHF 2,500
Selbstbehalt (capped at CHF 700)	CHF 700	CHF 700
Total cost	CHF 2,540	CHF 3,200
Winner	CHF 300 saves CHF 660

The Break-Even Point

With the maximum discount, the two options cost the same at about CHF 2,010 in yearly medical bills (CHF 300 + CHF 1,540 ÷ 0.9). Below that, CHF 2,500 wins. Above that, CHF 300 wins. In the worst case — very high bills — CHF 2,500 costs you at most CHF 660 more than CHF 300 in that year (CHF 2,200 of extra Franchise minus CHF 1,540 of premium saved).

If your insurer’s discount is smaller, the break-even point is lower: with a discount of CHF 1,200 a year, it falls to about CHF 1,630. To decide, look at your own bills from past years — your insurer’s statements, or your records from home.

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When to Choose CHF 2,500 (High Franchise)

The high Franchise is the better choice for students whose yearly bills stay low. Choose CHF 2,500 if:

• You are generally healthy. Your yearly medical bills usually stay well below about CHF 2,000.
• You rarely see a doctor and have no planned treatment. A few consultations a year leave you far from the break-even point.
• You do not take regular medication. If your only pharmacy expenses are occasional painkillers or cold medicine, they will not push you past the break-even.
• You want to maximize monthly cash flow. As a student, saving up to CHF 128.33 per month (CHF 1,540 per year) matters.
• You can handle an emergency. If you had an accident or sudden illness, could you pay CHF 2,500 + CHF 700 = CHF 3,200 out of savings? If yes, the high Franchise is a rational bet.

The risk you are taking: In a bad-luck year (broken bone, appendectomy, unexpected illness), you pay up to CHF 3,200 out of pocket. With the full discount, that bad year costs you at most CHF 660 more than CHF 300 would have — while a healthy year saves you up to CHF 1,540. One healthy year more than pays for one bad year.

Think of it as self-insurance. You are betting that your medical costs stay below about CHF 2,000 per year.

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When to Choose CHF 300 (Low Franchise)

The low Franchise makes sense when you know you will use healthcare regularly. Choose CHF 300 if:

• You have a chronic condition. Diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, autoimmune disorders — if you see specialists regularly and take daily medication, your yearly bills can easily pass the break-even point. Then CHF 300 is cheaper.
• You are pregnant or planning pregnancy. Maternity services (check-ups, ultrasounds, childbirth) are free of cost-sharing at every stage, and from the 13th week of pregnancy until 8 weeks after birth all other care is too. But illness-related care before the 13th week still goes through your Franchise. If you plan a pregnancy, lower your Franchise in time — the change must reach your insurer by 30 November to apply from 1 January.
• You take regular prescription medication. Medication for ADHD, depression or thyroid conditions adds up. Add your yearly pharmacy costs to your doctor bills; if the total comes close to the break-even point, choose CHF 300.
• You have a known upcoming procedure. If a planned operation or a long course of treatment is coming, lock in CHF 300 for that year.
• You cannot absorb a CHF 3,200 surprise. If your emergency fund is thin, the peace of mind from a CHF 1,000 maximum out-of-pocket may be worth the extra premium.

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What the Franchise Does NOT Apply To

Several categories of care are exempt from cost-sharing. You pay nothing out of pocket (beyond premiums) for:

Exempt Service	Details
Special maternity services	Check-ups during and after pregnancy including ultrasound, childbirth, birth preparation and breastfeeding advice — no Franchise, no Selbstbehalt
All other care from week 13 of pregnancy	From the 13th week until 8 weeks after birth, no cost-sharing even for illnesses unrelated to the pregnancy
CHF 15 hospital contribution	Not charged to children, young adults up to 25 in education or training, or women receiving maternity services

Important: The exemption for special maternity services applies throughout pregnancy. The 13th-week rule concerns all other care: illness-related treatment before the 13th week still counts toward your Franchise.

Accident Coverage: A Separate Layer

If you work at least 8 hours per week for an employer in Switzerland, you are fully insured against occupational and non-occupational accidents under the accident insurance law (UVG — Unfallversicherungsgesetz). UVG pays accident treatment without the KVG Franchise and Selbstbehalt. This includes sports injuries, falls, traffic accidents, and any other non-illness-related treatment.

In that case, you can apply in writing to suspend accident cover in your KVG policy (Unfallausschluss). The suspension starts at the earliest on the first day of the month after your insurer receives the application, and your premium is reduced accordingly.

If you do not work (or work less than 8 hours/week), accident coverage stays in your KVG policy and follows the same Franchise rules as illness.

For students with a part-time job of 8+ hours: Exclude accident coverage from KVG. Your employer’s UVG handles accidents franchise-free. Your KVG Franchise only applies to illnesses.

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How to Change Your Franchise

Franchise changes take effect on January 1 of the following year. The deadlines are:

Change Direction	Deadline
Increase Franchise (e.g., CHF 300 → CHF 2,500)	Takes effect on 1 January; the BAG recommends notifying your insurer by mid-December
Decrease Franchise (e.g., CHF 2,500 → CHF 300)	Written notice must reach your insurer by 30 November

Step by Step

1. Decide in November. Your insurer must send you next year’s premium by 31 October. Review your medical costs for the current year and your health outlook for next year.
2. Notify your insurer in writing. Ask your insurer whether a message through its app or online portal counts as written notice; if in doubt, send a letter.
3. Confirm the new premium. Your insurer sends an updated premium notice for the coming year. Verify the new monthly amount.

Key Rules

• You cannot change your Franchise mid-year. It is locked from January 1 to December 31.
• If you are switching insurers at the same time (deadline: November 30), you choose your Franchise as part of the new application.
• If you are moving to Switzerland for the first time, you select your Franchise when you initially sign up. You are not locked into your first choice forever — you can change it the following year.
• You can lower your Franchise regardless of your state of health. There are no extra fees and no health checks.

Pro Tip: Set a Calendar Reminder

Put “Review Swiss Franchise” in your calendar for early November every year — after your new premium letter arrives and before the November 30 deadline. If you choose CHF 2,500 when you arrive, review it every year, especially if your health changes.

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Franchise for Children (Under 18)

If you have children enrolled in Swiss health insurance, their Franchise levels are different:

Children’s Franchise	Available Levels
Range	CHF 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600
Default	CHF 0 (no deductible)
Selbstbehalt cap	CHF 350/year (vs. CHF 700 for adults)
Maximum discount	70% of the extra risk (e.g., CHF 420/year for CHF 600)

Recommendation: For children, CHF 0 Franchise is often the simplest choice. Even at the maximum discount, a CHF 600 Franchise saves at most CHF 420 a year, and a single costly year can wipe that out. Check the real premium difference with your insurer before you raise it.

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The Selbstbehalt: What You Pay After the Franchise

After you have paid your full Franchise for the year, insurance does not cover 100% of the remaining costs. You still pay a 10% co-insurance (Selbstbehalt) on all additional costs. This is capped at CHF 700 per year for adults and CHF 350 for children.

How It Works in Practice

Say you have CHF 2,500 Franchise and CHF 8,000 in medical costs this year:

1. You pay CHF 2,500 (your Franchise) → covered
2. Remaining costs: CHF 5,500
3. You pay 10% of CHF 5,500 = CHF 550 (Selbstbehalt)
4. Insurance pays the other 90% = CHF 4,950
5. Your total out-of-pocket: CHF 2,500 + CHF 550 = CHF 3,050

If costs were CHF 15,000:

1. You pay CHF 2,500 (Franchise)
2. Remaining: CHF 12,500
3. 10% of CHF 12,500 = CHF 1,250 — but capped at CHF 700
4. You pay CHF 700 (Selbstbehalt cap)
5. Insurance pays CHF 11,800
6. Your total out-of-pocket: CHF 2,500 + CHF 700 = CHF 3,200 (the absolute maximum)

For medicines, the Selbstbehalt is 40% instead of 10% if a cheaper equivalent medicine (for example a generic) is on the federal list — unless your doctor prescribes the original for medical reasons.

Hospital Stays: Extra Daily Contribution

If you are hospitalized, adults pay an additional CHF 15 per day on top of the Franchise and Selbstbehalt (Spitalkostenbeitrag). Children, young adults up to the age of 25 who are in education or training, and women receiving maternity services are exempt — so most students under 26 do not pay it.

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Real Student Scenarios

These examples assume the maximum legal discount for CHF 2,500 (CHF 1,540 a year). The bills are illustrative totals, not price quotes.

Scenario 1: Healthy Student, Yearly Bills of CHF 220

A student sees a doctor once for a cold and buys one prescription. Total medical costs for the year: CHF 220.

	CHF 300 Franchise	CHF 2,500 Franchise
Extra premium (12 months)	CHF 1,540	CHF 0
Out-of-pocket	CHF 220	CHF 220
Total	CHF 1,760	CHF 220
Savings with CHF 2,500		CHF 1,540

With bills below CHF 300, the out-of-pocket amount is the same for both options, so the whole premium discount is a saving.

Scenario 2: Master’s Student with Asthma, Yearly Bills of CHF 1,770

A student with asthma has regular specialist check-ups, daily medication and yearly blood tests. Total medical costs for the year: CHF 1,770.

	CHF 300 Franchise	CHF 2,500 Franchise
Extra premium (12 months)	CHF 1,540	CHF 0
Franchise portion paid	CHF 300	CHF 1,770
Selbstbehalt (10% of remainder)	CHF 147	CHF 0
Total	CHF 1,987	CHF 1,770
Winner		CHF 2,500 still cheaper by CHF 217

The bills are still below the break-even point, so the high Franchise wins by a small margin — but only with the full discount. With a smaller discount of CHF 1,200 a year, CHF 300 would already be cheaper, and one extra treatment (an emergency visit, a scan) would tip the calculation too.

For this situation, CHF 300 may be the safer choice. The margin is thin, and one bad month flips the calculation.

Scenario 3: PhD Student, 26, with Planned Knee Surgery

A PhD student needs knee surgery, followed by physiotherapy and follow-up visits. Assume total bills of CHF 9,700 for the year.

	CHF 300 Franchise	CHF 2,500 Franchise
Extra premium (12 months)	CHF 1,540	CHF 0
Franchise	CHF 300	CHF 2,500
Selbstbehalt	CHF 700 (capped)	CHF 700 (capped)
Total	CHF 2,540	CHF 3,200
Savings with CHF 300	CHF 660

With a major procedure, the low Franchise saves money. The student should have lowered the Franchise to CHF 300 by 30 November of the year before the surgery.

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The Decision Flowchart

Ask yourself these questions in order:

1. Do you have a chronic condition or take daily medication? → Yes: Choose CHF 300. → No: Continue to question 2.

2. Are you planning a medical procedure this year? → Yes: Choose CHF 300. → No: Continue to question 3.

3. Are you pregnant or planning to become pregnant this year? → Yes: Choose CHF 300 (illness-related care before the 13th week counts toward the Franchise). → No: Continue to question 4.

4. Can you handle a CHF 3,200 emergency expense? → No: Choose CHF 300 for peace of mind. → Yes: Choose CHF 2,500. You save up to CHF 1,540 per year.

If you answered “No” to the first three questions and “Yes” to the fourth, CHF 2,500 is usually the cheaper choice.

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Combining Franchise with Other Savings

The Franchise is not your only cost lever. Combine it with other strategies for maximum savings:

Strategy	Savings	Details
CHF 2,500 Franchise	Up to CHF 1,540/year	Legal maximum: 70% of the extra CHF 2,200 risk
GP, HMO, telemedicine or pharmacy model	Set by the insurer	First contact is a practice, a phone/app service or a pharmacy; with a higher Franchise, at most 50% below the standard premium
Prämienverbilligung	Set by your canton	Premium subsidy for residents with modest incomes — see our guide
Cheapest provider for your area	Varies	Compare on Priminfo (priminfo.admin.ch); benefits are identical by law
Accident exclusion (if employed 8+ hours)	Premium reduced accordingly	Employer UVG covers accidents

Combined example (any canton):

Component	Without Optimization	Fully Optimized
Franchise	CHF 300	CHF 2,500
Model	Standard	Telmed
Provider	Any	Cheapest for your area on priminfo
Monthly premium	Standard premium (100%)	Never less than 50% of the standard premium
Prämienverbilligung	None	Depends on your canton and income
Net monthly cost	100%	As low as 50%, before any subsidy

Same KVG coverage, same benefits, same hospital access — the law sets them. The trade-offs are a higher out-of-pocket risk (up to CHF 3,200 a year) and calling the telemedicine service before you see a doctor.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Franchise in Swiss health insurance?

The Franchise is your annual deductible — the amount you pay out of pocket for medical costs before your insurance starts covering expenses. Adults can choose between CHF 300, 500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, or 2,500 per year (insurers do not have to offer every level). A higher Franchise means lower monthly premiums but more out-of-pocket risk. The Franchise applies per calendar year.

Which Franchise should a healthy student choose?

Usually CHF 2,500. With the maximum legal discount, a healthy student saves up to CHF 1,540 a year compared with CHF 300. The break-even point is about CHF 2,000 in yearly medical bills; with a smaller discount, it is lower.

What is the Selbstbehalt and how does it work with the Franchise?

The Selbstbehalt (co-insurance) is the 10% you pay on medical costs after your Franchise is used up. It is capped at CHF 700 per year for adults and CHF 350 for children. Your maximum annual out-of-pocket is Franchise + CHF 700. With CHF 2,500 Franchise, the worst case is CHF 3,200. With CHF 300 Franchise, it is CHF 1,000.

Can I change my Franchise during the year?

No. Franchise changes take effect on January 1 only. To lower your Franchise, your written notice must reach your insurer by November 30. To raise it, notify your insurer in good time — the BAG recommends mid-December at the latest. Set a calendar reminder for early November to review your Franchise annually.

Does the Franchise apply to maternity care?

No. Special maternity services — check-ups during and after pregnancy including ultrasound, childbirth, birth preparation and breastfeeding advice — are free of Franchise and Selbstbehalt. From the 13th week of pregnancy until 8 weeks after birth, all other care is exempt too. Illness-related care before the 13th week counts toward your Franchise.

What Franchise levels exist for children?

Children (under 18) can choose from CHF 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, or 600. The default is CHF 0. Children’s Selbstbehalt is capped at CHF 350/year. The maximum discount is 70% of the extra risk, so a CHF 600 Franchise saves at most CHF 420 a year. For many families, CHF 0 is the simplest choice.

Does the Franchise apply to accidents?

It depends. If you work at least 8 hours per week for an employer in Switzerland, your employer’s UVG accident insurance covers accident costs without the KVG Franchise and co-payment. You can then apply in writing to suspend accident cover in your KVG policy, which reduces your premium. If you do not work (or work less than 8 hours), accidents are covered through your KVG policy and your Franchise applies.

Is CHF 500 Franchise a good compromise?

Rarely. If your insurer gives the same share of discount at every level, a middle Franchise (CHF 500–2,000) is never cheaper than both CHF 300 and CHF 2,500: each extra franc of Franchise saves at most 70 centimes of premium but costs 90 centimes once your bills pass it. Compare CHF 300 and CHF 2,500 first, and check your insurer’s real premiums on priminfo.admin.ch.

What if I have an emergency with CHF 2,500 Franchise?

You pay up to CHF 3,200 out of pocket in that year (CHF 2,500 Franchise + CHF 700 Selbstbehalt). Doctors, hospitals and your insurer send invoices after treatment. If you cannot pay your share at once, contact the provider or your insurer early and ask about payment by instalments.

How do I check which Franchise I currently have?

Check your insurance policy (Versicherungspolice), your insurer’s app, or your last premium notice. The Franchise level is always stated on these documents. If unsure, call your insurer’s customer service.

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Related Articles

• Student Health Insurance in Switzerland: KVG, Costs & How to Save — The complete guide to Swiss health insurance for international students
• Understanding Health Insurance Deductibles & Copayments — How deductibles work across different countries
• How to Choose the Right Health Insurance as an International Student — Framework for comparing plans and providers
• Cheapest Health Insurance for International Students 2026 — Budget options across all study destinations

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Make the Right Franchise Choice

The Franchise decision is straightforward once you do the math. Healthy students save up to CHF 1,540 per year with CHF 2,500. Students with ongoing medical needs save hundreds with CHF 300. Compare CHF 300 and CHF 2,500 first — a middle Franchise rarely beats both.

Combine your Franchise choice with a Telmed model, the cheapest provider in your area, and Prämienverbilligung to keep your premium as low as the law allows. Swiss health insurance is expensive, but it does not have to be.

Ready to compare health insurance options? Start with our complete Switzerland KVG guide or compare insurance plans for your study destination.