Living in Switzerland

Saving money in Switzerland: where to start

Health insurance, banking, mobile plans, taxes and pensions: what to check and where to find useful tools, one step at a time.

Health insurance

Health insurance: the premium is not the total.

A higher deductible lowers premiums but increases your share of treatment costs. See how the annual totals change as medical spending rises.

Illustrative example, not an offer

Assumed premiums: CHF 500/month with deductible 300; CHF 400/month with deductible 2,500.

Calculate with your details →
CHF 300CHF 2’500Total annual cost · CHF
Annual medical spending · CHF

Adults: premium + deductible + ordinary 10% co-payment capped at CHF 700. Excludes hospital contributions, uncovered treatment and special rules. Official FOPH rules ↗

Compare telemedicine, benefits and model restrictions too. Some include free consultations: check the terms and covered services.

Compare health insurance

Banking & mobile

Mobile and banking: multiply by twelve.

Try your mobile plan or account fee. Then check activation, cards, withdrawals, currency conversion and roaming.

Today · CHF/month · Annual costCHF 300
Alternative · CHF/month · Annual costCHF 120

Annual difference · today minus alternativeCHF 180

Editable examples. Twelve monthly fees only, excluding temporary promotions and extra charges. A negative result means a more expensive alternative.

Explore banking Explore SIM & mobile

Taxes & pensions

Taxes and pensions: documents first.

Pension

Pillar 3a fees

2026 annual cap: CHF 7,258

Official pillar 3a cap (DE) ↗
Years of contributions

For people with a pension fund. Without a 2nd pillar: 20% of earned income, up to CHF 36,288. Catch-up 3a contributions have separate rules.

20 years

CHF 145’160Maximum contributions paid in

True WealthCHF 1’829
VIACCHF 6’097
franklyCHF 6’554

Estimated cumulative provider fees over this period

Assumptions: CHF 7,258 paid at the start of each year, with a constant cap and fee rates. We sum fees on accumulated contributions, with no returns or reduction in assets for fees. This is an illustration, not a forecast or confirmation of eligibility to contribute for 50 years.
Comparison assumptions and sources
  • True Wealth: 0% management and average global product TER of about 0.12% (0.21% for the sustainable universe). Official source ↗
  • VIAC Global 100, Swisscanto: published recurring costs of 0.40%. Other variants may cost more. Official source ↗
  • frankly: 0.43% all-in fee on securities investments; some product and transaction costs are excluded. Official source ↗

Strategies, risks and services differ: these are not identical portfolios. Excludes FX, spreads, taxes and other extra charges; no referral discounts. Capital can lose value.

Taxes and pensions: documents first.
  1. 01

    Taxes

    Gather income, expenses and certificates. Check deductions and deadlines with your canton.

  2. 02

    AHV and pension fund

    Request your individual account statement and read your pension certificate.

  3. 03

    Pillar 3a

    Compare fees, withdrawal restrictions and any potential tax benefit.

Tax guide Pension guide

Investing

Investing: understand before choosing.

Investing outside pillar 3a: compare fees

CHF 150,000 held constant for one year · management and custody, not total costs.

finpension Invest ↗0.39% · CHF 585
True Wealth ↗0.50% · CHF 750
Alpian · Signature ↗0.69% · CHF 1035

True Wealth costs CHF 285/year less than Alpian Signature for these fees; finpension costs CHF 165 less than True Wealth. Lower costs do not guarantee better returns.

Excludes product TERs, taxes, spreads and other charges. Strategies, risks and services differ. Alpian Signature requires activation and plan eligibility (including CHF 150,000 in assets). No referral discounts; sources checked 4 September 2026.

Investing can be a good way to build wealth over the long term when it fits your goals and your ability to absorb losses. First keep a reserve for emergencies and upcoming expenses; compare costs, diversification and exit conditions.

Time horizon
When will you need this money?
Risk
What loss could you afford?
Fees
What are the management, product and transaction costs?
FINMA: protecting yourself as an investor ↗

Before switching a contract

Gather these details to compare equivalent offers and choose the right tools.

Health insurance

Your current premium, deductible, plan, doctor and municipality. Compare the terms first, then the annual cost.

Compare health insurance

Bank account

Residence requirements, documents, account fees, cards, withdrawals and currency exchange. Resident-only offers may not be available before your move.

Check account fees and opening requirements

SIM and mobile

Usage in Switzerland and abroad, network, activation, minimum term and post-promotion price. Distinguish a short visit from an ongoing subscription.

Compare SIM cards, contracts and roaming

Official and direct sources