Living in Switzerland: health insurance, tax and pillar 3a

If you have lived in Switzerland for some time, you have probably collected insurance policies, accounts and retirement savings products from different providers over the years. You lose track, premiums rise and deadlines are missed. PROFINIO brings everything together in one client portal and gives you a dedicated contact person.

What we take care of for you

Insurance

Policy check for gaps and overlaps
Compare health insurance every year
Support with switching

Taxes

Prepare and file your tax return
Review possible deductions
Deadlines and queries

Retirement planning

Plan pillar 3a
Protection for your family
Put your pension fund and buy-ins into context

Switching Swiss health insurance: premiums, deadlines and deductible

Health insurance premiums for the following year are announced at the end of September, and your insurer then notifies you of your new premium in writing. You can switch your basic health insurance (KVG/LAMal) with effect from the end of the year, provided your cancellation reaches the insurer by the end of November. The new insurer must accept you for basic insurance without reservation.

With the standard deductible (franchise) and the standard model, you can also switch with effect from the end of June. You can choose a higher deductible from the start of each year; going back to a lower deductible is only possible with notice.

Supplementary insurance follows its own rules: contracts run longer and have longer notice periods, and the new insurer may turn you down for health reasons. So only cancel a supplementary policy once the new one has been confirmed.

Compare your new premium with offers from other insurers
Choose a deductible that matches your usual healthcare costs
Check the model: family doctor, group practice or telemedicine
Exclude accident cover if you are insured through your employer
Send your cancellation by registered post and in good time

Health insurance premium reductions: who is entitled

If you live on a modest income, your canton will reduce your health insurance premiums. How large the reduction is, and whether you have to apply or receive it automatically, is regulated by each canton. It is especially worth checking after a change in salary, a birth or a separation.

Swiss tax return: deadlines and documents

In most cantons, the tax return is due by the end of March of the following year. An extension is generally possible but must be requested in good time. If you miss the deadline without an extension, you will receive a reminder and risk a fine or an estimated assessment by the tax office.

You upload your salary statement, bank statements and certificates to the client portal – even simply photographed with your phone. We see what is still missing, review possible deductions and file on time. You will generally need these documents:

Salary statement (Lohnausweis) – from every employer if you had more than one
Tax statements and balances of all bank and securities accounts as at 31 December
Certificates for pillar 3a contributions and pension fund buy-ins
Receipts for medical costs, childcare and further education
If you own property: mortgage interest and maintenance costs

Saving tax: deductions that are often forgotten

Many households miss out on deductions because receipts are missing or the options are not known. Which deductions are allowed, and how much, depends on the canton. Commonly overlooked are work-related expenses such as travel costs and meals away from home, further education costs, third-party childcare and medical costs above the personal threshold.

Contributions to pillar 3a and voluntary buy-ins into your pension fund usually have the greatest effect. Both can be planned – ideally in the autumn, before the tax year ends.

Pillar 3a and pension fund: retirement savings with tax benefits

You can deduct pillar 3a contributions from your income up to a maximum amount set each year. If you did not pay in the full amount in a given year, you can, under certain conditions, make up for this gap later. Holding several 3a accounts allows you to spread withdrawals over several years later on.

A voluntary buy-in into your BVG pension fund is also deductible. How much is possible is shown on your pension fund statement. Note that after a buy-in, a lump-sum withdrawal is generally blocked for three years – this matters if you are planning to buy a home or to take your pension as capital.

AHV/OASI is also worth a look: an extract from your individual account shows whether any contribution years are missing. Gaps can only be closed retroactively for a limited period.

Planning retirement: pension or lump sum

A few years before retirement at the latest, you need to decide whether to draw your pension fund assets as a pension, as a lump sum or as a mix of both. The pension is paid for life and is predictable; the lump sum is flexible, but you bear the investment and longevity risk yourself. You usually have to give notice of a lump-sum withdrawal within a deadline set by your pension fund's regulations.

Lump-sum benefits from retirement savings are taxed separately from your other income. Spreading withdrawals from pillar 3a and your pension fund over several years can reduce the tax burden, depending on the canton. Such planning needs lead time – start early.

Policy check: household contents, liability and legal protection

Over the years, insurance policies pile up that overlap or no longer fit your circumstances. Typical examples are duplicate cover for travel and cancellation insurance, too low a sum insured for household contents, or legal protection that does not cover the most important areas.

If the sum insured for your household contents is too low, the insurer may only pay part of a claim. Check the sum after every move and every major purchase.

When life changes

Marriage, a birth, a new job, a move or buying a home change which insurance and retirement planning make sense. Your contact person adapts your plan and reminds you of what is coming up next.

Birth: register your child with a health insurer within the deadline
Marriage: review joint taxation, retirement planning and beneficiaries
Change of job: clarify pension fund, accident and daily sickness benefits insurance
Buying a home: coordinate financing, building insurance and retirement savings
Separation or divorce: rearrange policies, beneficiaries and taxes

Common mistakes with insurance, taxes and retirement planning

These are the mistakes we see most often in households in Switzerland:

Health insurance not compared for years
Supplementary insurance cancelled before the new policy was confirmed
Tax deductions not claimed for lack of receipts
Pillar 3a paid in only in December – or not at all
Pension fund buy-in shortly before a planned lump-sum withdrawal

How PROFINIO supports you day to day

You get a dedicated contact person who knows your situation. In the client portal, all your policies and documents are in one place, and you are reminded of deadlines – from switching health insurance to your tax return. We advise you in German, French, Italian or English.

Frequently asked questions

When is the deadline to switch health insurance?

You can switch your basic insurance with effect from the end of the year if your cancellation reaches your insurer by the end of November. With the standard deductible and the standard model, you can also switch with effect from the end of June. Supplementary insurance has its own deadlines.

Is switching health insurance actually worth it?

Often, yes, because basic insurance benefits are the same at every insurer but premiums are not. You can also save with your choice of deductible and model. We compare every year and tell you whether switching is worthwhile.

Which deductible is right for me?

That depends on how high your healthcare costs usually are and what reserves you have. If you rarely see a doctor, a high deductible often saves premiums. If you need regular treatment, a low deductible is usually the better choice.

When do I have to file my tax return?

In most cantons by the end of March of the following year. An extension is generally possible but must be requested in good time. We keep track of the deadline for you.

What happens if I file my tax return late?

You will first receive a reminder. If you still do not file, the tax office can impose a fine and estimate your income – usually to your disadvantage. Requesting an extension in advance is therefore almost always better.

How much tax can I save with pillar 3a?

You can deduct contributions up to the annual maximum from your taxable income. How much tax you save depends on your income, place of residence and family situation. We work out the actual figures with you.

Is a pension fund buy-in worthwhile?

A buy-in is tax-deductible and improves your retirement benefits. Whether it pays off depends on your tax rate, your pension fund and your plans. After a buy-in, a lump-sum withdrawal is generally blocked for three years.

Is PROFINIO worthwhile if I already have everything in place?

Especially then. Many households pay for duplicate cover or premiums that are too high. We review your existing policies and show you where you can save or be better protected.

Do I have to switch my insurance?

No. We show you the options. Whether and when you change anything is up to you.

You live and work in Switzerland – we keep your insurance, taxes and retirement planning under control