Introduction
In recent years, discussions around health insurance costs in Switzerland have heightened, particularly regarding the financial impact of immigrants. A report by the Federal Statistical Office (OFS) in 2025 reveals surprising findings: immigrants in Switzerland cost the mandatory health insurance system an average of 985 francs less per year than Swiss citizens. This statistic challenges claims made by organizations such as the Swiss People’s Party (UDC) that mass immigration leads to rising costs.
Key Findings from the OFS Report
The study analyzed data from 34 million insurance holders between 2019 and 2022, revealing that the average annual net costs amount to 3554 francs for Swiss citizens and only 2569 francs for foreigners. More strikingly, the median costs for Swiss insured individuals stands at 508 francs, compared to just 197 francs for foreigners, indicating that foreign insurance holders significantly lower the overall averages.
Contradicting Claims of Higher Costs
Recent assertions from the UDC that immigrants, particularly those from the EU, are a burden on the healthcare system do not hold up against the statistical evidence. The reality shows a different story: Swiss citizens, on average, utilize healthcare services more frequently than their foreign counterparts.
Unique Cases: Italians and Other Nationals
While the study indicates that the average costs for certain nationalities, like Georgians and Uruguayans, exceed those of Swiss citizens, these cases represent a minuscule portion of the total insured, with Georgia accounting for just 0.02% of total costs. Among prominently represented European nationalities, only Italians incur slightly higher costs at 3654 francs per year, which is still only marginally more than the average for Swiss citizens.
Limitations of the Study
The OFS report does come with caveats. It includes data from the challenging Covid years (2020-2021), and potentially unreliable data for 2022. Additionally, it does not differentiate between dual nationals, who make up about 21% of the Swiss population, nor does it account for asylum seekers who might represent a different cost structure altogether.
The Asylum Seeker Factor
The UDC claims that asylum seekers have healthcare costs that are around 20% higher than the average population. However, official calculations from the Federal Office of Public Health indicate that asylum seekers accounted for only 0.56% of the total costs borne by mandatory health insurance in 2021. This raises questions about the UDC’s assertions and highlights the need for a more nuanced discussion about health costs in Switzerland.
Conclusion
The findings of the OFS report challenge prevalent stereotypes about immigrants and health insurance costs in Switzerland. Rather than being a financial burden, foreign residents appear to contribute positively to the system. This insight is crucial for shaping public policy and fostering informed dialogue on immigration and healthcare.
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