What will change in Switzerland in September 2026?
2026 szeptemberében Svájcban szeptember 27-én szövetségi népszavazást, továbbá kantononként eltérő helyi szavazásokat tartanak. Az ősz egyben az egészségbiztosítási díjak következő évre vonatkozó felülvizsgálatának időszaka is. A végleges szavazási témákat, díjakat és biztosítóváltási határidőket a ch.ch, a BAG, valamint a lakóhely szerinti kanton és biztosító hivatalos tájékoztatóiban célszerű ellenőrizni.
What changes in September 2026?
The month brings two separate sequences of events: a nationwide voting day and the autumn phase of the annual health insurance premium cycle.
Federal referendum on 27 September 2026, on several topics.
Cantonal and local votes on the same day, with different topics in each canton.
The health insurance premiums annual review and information period, which takes place during the autumn.
It is important to clarify at the outset: the final details of specific measures — such as the exact wording of the voting questions or next year’s premiums — can only be considered final after official publication. This article therefore primarily provides a framework for orientation, rather than made-up figures in advance.
The 27 September federal referendum (Volksabstimmung)
A federal referendum will be held in Switzerland on 27 September. The items on the ballot include national initiatives as well as cantonal questions.
Two national initiatives appearing in the public debate are:
Neutrality Initiative (Neutralitätsinitiative) — a proposal concerning the future of Swiss neutrality.
Food Initiative (Ernährungsinitiative) — a proposal relating to food supplies and food policy.
In Zürich, at cantonal level, a vote on a law concerning teaching staff (Lehrpersonalgesetz) may also be on the agenda. Cantonal questions differ from one canton to another, so the voting booklet for your place of residence is the authoritative source.
The exact wording of the initiatives, the positions of the Federal Council (Bundesrat) and Parliament, and the official explanations should be checked on the ch.ch portal. The content and impact of the proposals take shape through expert and political debate, so the official voting information is always decisive for the final interpretation.
Health Insurance Premiums (Krankenkassenprämien)
Autumn is traditionally the season for health insurance in Switzerland: this is when households turn their attention to how premiums will develop for the coming year.
The Swiss system can be divided into two tiers:
Basic insurance (Grundversicherung) — legally mandatory for everyone living in Switzerland, with coverage regulated nationwide.
Supplementary insurance (Zusatzversicherung) — voluntary; insurers have more freedom in setting premiums and may impose conditions.
The official premiums for the coming year are approved and published by the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG). The exact premium amounts and publication date can be verified through BAG’s official channels — it is advisable to obtain this information directly from those sources rather than second-hand.
When and how can basic insurance be cancelled?
It is possible to change the insurer providing basic insurance, and notification of a premium increase may trigger a special right of termination (Sonderkündigungsrecht). Ordinary and special cancellations are subject to separate notice periods (Kündigungsfrist).
When considering changing insurers, it is advisable to use comparative data. Comparis is a well-known tool for comparisons, while BAG’s platform provides the official premium data. The specific deadlines and formal requirements for cancellation should always be checked against the current official information, as complying precisely with them is a condition for a valid switch.
What might this mean for Hungarians living in Switzerland?
The events in September affect Hungarians living in Switzerland differently in terms of voting and health insurance.
Participation in the referendum. In federal referendums is generally limited to Swiss citizens. Hungarians living in Switzerland without Swiss citizenship — who live here as EU citizens under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (FZA, 1999) — generally do not participate in referendums at federal level. Some cantons and municipalities may grant foreign nationals voting rights at local level; this is determined by the regulations of the canton of residence. However, the outcomes of votes also affect the daily lives of residents who cannot vote, so following these issues is useful even when someone is not eligible to vote.
Health insurance applies to everyone. Basic insurance is mandatory regardless of citizenship: it applies to Hungarians living in Switzerland just as it does to everyone else. Changes in premiums directly affect household budgets, particularly in households raising several children or living on a single income.
Cantonal differences. Health insurance premiums vary significantly from canton to canton — and even from region to region. The premium burden for a Hungarian family moving to Zürich, Genève, Basel or Bern may therefore differ considerably. The conditions for premium reductions (Prämienverbilligung) also vary by canton, so the rules of the relevant canton apply.
A planning consideration for Hungarian households. Autumn is a good time to review the entire family’s insurance situation: the basic insurance model (e.g. a family doctor model or unrestricted choice of doctor), the deductible (Franchise) level and any supplementary insurance all affect the final cost. Official and comparison data together provide a realistic basis for making a decision.
Official sources of information
For reliable information, it is advisable to use official channels first and foremost:
ch.ch — the official overview of federal and cantonal votes, including the subjects of the vote on 27 September 2026.
Federal Office of Public Health (Bundesamt für Gesundheit, BAG) — the rules of mandatory basic insurance and the official premium data.
The office of the canton of residence — for local voting issues and premium reductions.
Comparis — for comparing premiums and general information.
For formal steps involving the insurer (cancellation, switching), the relevant insurer and the official deadlines always prevail.
Sources
ch.ch — official overview of the federal referendum on 27 September 2026
thelocal.ch — overview of changes in Switzerland in September 2026
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In Brief
Two important matters will come to the fore in Switzerland in September 2026: the federal, cantonal and local votes on 27 September, and the autumn review of health insurance premiums. The exact voting questions, premiums and cancellation deadlines should only be regarded as final after official publication.
Key Takeaways
- Check the final topics of the 27 September vote on the ch.ch portal and in the voting booklet for your place of residence.
- Review cantonal and local issues separately, as they may vary from canton to canton.
- Follow BAG’s official premium announcements before making decisions about next year’s health insurance costs.
- Compare the basic insurance model, the Franchise level and any supplementary insurance.
- Before changing insurers, check the applicable ordinary or special cancellation deadline and formal requirements.
- Consult the official information provided by the canton of residence regarding the conditions for premium reductions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Swiss federal referendum take place in September 2026?
The federal referendum will take place on 27 September 2026. Cantonal and local votes may also be held on the same day, with topics varying from canton to canton.
Which nationwide initiatives are part of the public debate surrounding the 27 September voting day?
The article mentions two nationwide initiatives: the Neutrality Initiative concerning the future of Swiss neutrality, and the Food Initiative concerning food supply and food policy. The exact wording and official positions should be checked in the information provided by ch.ch.
Can Hungarian citizens living in Switzerland vote in the federal referendum?
Federal referendums are generally open to Swiss citizens. Hungarians living in Switzerland without Swiss citizenship generally cannot vote at federal level; however, some cantons or municipalities may grant foreigners voting rights at local level.
When will the health insurance premiums for the following year become known?
The following year’s official premiums are approved and published by the Federal Office of Public Health, or BAG. The exact premium amounts and publication date should be checked through BAG’s official channels.
What should be considered when changing the insurer for basic insurance?
When changing insurers, you must consider the applicable ordinary or special cancellation deadline and the formal requirements. A premium increase may trigger a special right of cancellation, but the specific conditions should always be checked in the official information and the insurer’s requirements.
Are Hungarians living in Switzerland affected by changes in health insurance premiums?
Yes. The obligation to have basic insurance applies to everyone living in Switzerland, regardless of citizenship. Premiums can vary significantly by canton and region, while the conditions for premium reductions are regulated by the canton of residence.
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