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What the subsidy is, who pays it, how it reduces your LAMal premium and how to get it? This page answers, clearly, all the basic questions about the health insurance subsidy in the canton of Geneva.
🔒 Indicative information · Only the SAM decides on the grant.
The health insurance subsidy is financial support paid by the canton of Geneva to reduce the amount of your compulsory health insurance premium (LAMal). In Switzerland this insurance is compulsory for everyone resident in the country, and Geneva premiums are among the highest. The subsidy is designed precisely to ease this burden for low- and middle-income households.
It is neither a loan nor an advance: it is a reduction that does not have to be repaid. A large share of the Geneva population is entitled to it without knowing.
The canton places every insured person in one of 9 income groups, based on their unified determining income (RDU), family situation and age. The lower the RDU, the lower the group… and the higher the subsidy. Each household member (adult, young adult, child) can receive their own subsidy.
The figures in detail are on the 2026 subsidy amount and scale page.
The unified determining income is the basis for calculating the subsidy. It is based on your latest tax assessment plus a fraction of your wealth (about 1/15). It is therefore not exactly your gross salary. If your income drops during the year (job loss, separation, retirement), a review is possible.
In Geneva, the Health Insurance Service (SAM) processes applications and decides on the grant. If granted, the subsidy is in principle paid directly to your health insurer and deducted from your premium: you pay less each month, with no advance on your part.
Three main conditions: be resident in the canton of Geneva, be affiliated with LAMal, and have an RDU below the ceilings of the scale. Swiss nationality is not required: holders of a C, B, L, N or F permit can also be entitled. See who is entitled to the subsidy in Geneva.
Depending on your situation, the process uses a specific form (young adult, permit, newcomer, taxed at source, change in circumstances…) to submit to the SAM by post, email or e-services. You can do it yourself, or get free support to avoid mistakes. A useful first step: estimate your subsidy in 2 minutes.
For most insured people (Swiss nationality, C permit), renewal is in principle automatic based on the RDU. However, young adults and holders of a B, L, N or F permit must reapply every year.
Estimate your monthly support on your LAMal premium in 2 minutes, with no sign-up and no obligation. The result is shown on screen straight away.
Leave your details and an adviser will contact you within 24h, free of charge.