How to apply for your LAMal subsidy
in 10 steps, without missing a line.
Nearly one in four Swiss households does not claim their health insurance subsidy. This step-by-step guide details the official procedure: conditions, documents, cantonal forms, deadlines and payment.
Why this guide?
The LAMal subsidy — or individual premium reduction (IPR) — is a cantonal aid paid to households whose income does not allow them to afford the compulsory health insurance premium alone. It has existed since the federal law of 18 March 1994 (art. 65 LAMal) and each canton applies it in its own way.
In 2025, more than 2.3 million people benefited from a subsidy in Switzerland, for a total amount close to CHF 5.2 billion. Yet a significant share of eligible people still claim nothing — because they do not know about it, lack time, or feel intimidated by the process.
This guide explains the procedure in 10 steps, valid across all cantons, with special attention to French-speaking Switzerland. Start by checking your eligibility in 2 minutes before launching the process.
Check your eligibility
The right to a subsidy depends on your determining income: a calculation combining your taxable income, your assets, the household composition and sometimes specific supplements (allowances, pensions). Each canton sets its own annual thresholds.
For reference in 2026:
- Single person: threshold between CHF 45,000 and 60,000 depending on the canton
- Couple without children: between CHF 65,000 and 90,000
- Family with 2 children: between CHF 90,000 and 120,000
- Young adult in training (18–25): specific thresholds, even when fiscally independent
Identify your competent canton
The canton handling your application is the one of your tax residence on 1 January of the relevant year. If you moved after that date, the original canton remains competent for the current year.
For the French-speaking cantons, the competent services are:
- Vaud — Vaudois Health Insurance Office (OVAM)
- Geneva — Health Insurance Service (SAM)
- Fribourg — Public Health Department (SSP)
- Valais — Cantonal Compensation Fund (CCVS)
- Neuchâtel — Cantonal Health Insurance Office (OCAM)
- Jura — Jura Compensation Fund
- Bern — Health, Social Affairs and Integration Directorate (GSI), bilingual
Gather documents
The complete list varies by canton, but the universally required documents are:
- Tax assessment from year N-1 or N-2 (depending on canton), for each taxpayer in the household
- Health insurance certificate 2026 of each member (provided by the insurer in January)
- Family certificate or recent proof of residence (less than 3 months)
- Recent income proofs: last 3 pay slips, or AVS/AI pension certificate, or self-employed balance sheet
- Possible expense proofs: paid alimony, childcare costs, mortgage interest
- ID card of the main applicant (copy)
Get the cantonal form
Each canton has its own form, downloadable from the official website or available in paper from the competent service. Forms are in French for all French-speaking cantons, and bilingual (FR/DE) for the canton of Bern.
Two access routes:
- Online: some cantons offer direct submission via a portal (VD, GE, NE partially)
- Printable PDF: download, fill by hand or digitally, then send by mail
Fill out the form correctly
The form asks for:
- The household composition (adults, children, dependents)
- The annual gross income of each adult member
- The household assets (accounts, securities, real estate)
- The deductible expenses (pensions, interest, professional costs)
- The insurer details and policy numbers
Attach supporting documents
Arrange documents in the order requested by the form. Number each piece in the top right. Keep a complete copy of the file for yourself.
For online submission: prefer digitally signed PDF (SuisseID, simple signature accepted by most cantons).
Submit the application
Submission is done:
- By registered mail (strongly recommended for traceability)
- Via the cantonal online portal (if available)
- In person at the service desk (less common)
Follow the file processing
The canton may request additional documents or clarifications. You generally have 20 to 30 days to respond. Missing the deadline may lead to the application being rejected as inadmissible.
Keep all correspondence (emails, letters) — it serves as proof in case of later dispute.
Receive the cantonal decision
The canton notifies the decision by registered mail. Average timeframe: 4 to 10 weeks after full submission. The decision states:
- The monthly amount of the granted subsidy (or the reason for refusal)
- The period covered
- The payment terms
- Appeal options (30-day deadline to contest)
In case of refusal, you can request a reconsideration (new elements) or file a formal appeal with the competent cantonal court.
Check the payment
In most cantons, the subsidy is paid directly to your health insurer: you will see an automatic reduction in your monthly premium. Check your next invoice for:
- The initial gross premium
- The deducted subsidy ("premium reduction" or "IPR" line)
- The net premium actually due
If the subsidy doesn't appear on your bill within 30 days of the decision, contact your insurer directly, then if necessary, the cantonal service.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for LAMal subsidy during the year?
Yes. Cantons accept applications throughout the year. The subsidy is generally paid from the month following the decision, sometimes with retroactive effect from 1 January of the current year depending on the canton.
What income must I not exceed to be entitled to the subsidy?
Thresholds vary by canton and household composition. For reference, a single person can benefit from the subsidy up to about 45,000–60,000 CHF of determining income depending on their canton. A family with two children can reach up to 90,000–110,000 CHF.
What to do if my application is refused?
You can request a reconsideration by providing new elements (job loss, separation, income decrease). A formal appeal is possible within 30 days of the decision. Helvetic Assist supports contestations.
Is the subsidy taxable?
No, the health insurance subsidy is not considered taxable income in Switzerland. It does not appear on your AVS statement or on your tax return.
Must I reapply for the subsidy every year?
Yes. Cantons re-evaluate your situation annually based on the latest known tax assessment. Some cantons automatically renew the right; others require active renewal.
Can self-employed people get the subsidy?
Absolutely. Self-employed calculate their determining income based on the net profit of their activity (profit and loss statement). A year with low or negative profit can give right to a significant subsidy.
Rather than a guide, a support.
Helvetic Assist carries out all 10 steps in your place — document by document, canton by canton, with follow-up until payment.
Check my eligibility →