Every autumn in Switzerland comes with the same ritual: news outlets announce by how many percent the LAMal premiums, the mandatory health insurance, will rise. Whether you live in Zurich, Geneva, or a small village, every canton has its own tariffs, and everyone is affected.

Unfortunately, premiums keep going up year after year. For many families, this means hundreds of extra francs to pay each month. The good news? This is exactly the time of year when you can switch health insurance and significantly reduce your expenses.

Why change your health insurance

Many policyholders pick a health insurer when they first arrive in Switzerland or at the beginning of their career and then never look back. I did the same: for years, I stayed with the same company without checking if it was still the best option.

The result? I was overpaying, simply out of habit or lack of awareness. Switching is actually simple, and it can save you hundreds of francs every year, without changing the benefits of the basic insurance — which are identical by law.

Deadlines to remember

The most important date is November 30. By then, your current insurer must have received your cancellation. Important: sending the letter on that date is not enough — it must arrive before the deadline.

That’s why it’s best to prepare your cancellation letter in advance and send it by registered mail at least a week early. That way, you can be sure your request is valid.

From January 1 of the following year, you will automatically be covered by your new insurer.

How to find the cheapest health insurance

Step one is comparing premiums. There are plenty of private comparison sites, but the most reliable tool is Priminfo, the official comparison platform from the Swiss government.

The process is simple:

1. Enter your postal code.
2. Add your year of birth.
3. Select your deductible (franchise) and the insurance model (standard, family doctor, Telmed, HMO, etc.).
4. Compare your current premiums with other offers.

In just a few minutes, you’ll know whether switching makes sense.

The switching process step by step

1. Choose your new insurer and request the contract (usually possible online).
2. Get the confirmation — most insurers send it digitally.
3. Send your cancellation to the old insurer by registered mail. Standard templates are easy to find online.
4. Keep the receipt — it’s your legal proof in case of dispute.

From January 1, your new health insurance automatically starts.

What about supplemental insurance?

This is a different story. Supplemental health insurance is optional and does not follow the same rules as LAMal. You can have your mandatory basic coverage with one insurer and keep your supplemental policies with another.

Be careful, though: if you cancel supplemental coverage and want to reapply later, the insurer can refuse or charge you a higher premium, especially if your health has changed in the meantime. That’s why many people keep their supplemental coverage with the same company, even when switching the basic plan.

Extra strategies to reduce costs

Besides switching insurers, here are other ways to save:

• Higher deductible: if you rarely go to the doctor, choosing the maximum deductible (CHF 2,500) can lower your monthly premium significantly.
• Alternative models: Telmed, HMO, or family doctor plans are usually cheaper than the traditional model.
• Advance payments: some insurers offer discounts if you pay premiums semi-annually or annually instead of monthly.

My personal experience

After years with the same insurer, I finally compared options. The result? By switching, I saved over CHF 1,200 a year, with exactly the same benefits for the basic coverage.

The most time-consuming part was filling out the cancellation letter. Everything else — the online request, confirmation, and new policy documents — was handled within a few days by email.

Conclusion

If you’ve never switched health insurance, now is the time. The process is simple, fast, and can save you a lot of money every year.

Don’t wait until the last minute: check the official comparison tool, pick the most affordable solution, and send your cancellation on time. Remember: the November 30 deadline is final.

Switching health insurance doesn’t mean giving up quality: LAMal benefits are the same everywhere, but your wallet will thank you.

In recent years, ETFs have become a hot topic in investing. But what exactly are they, and why do so many investors—young and old—see them as the backbone of their financial strategy? In this article, we’ll explain what ETFs are, why they’re important, how they tie into the FIRE 🔥 movement, and why time often matters more than the amount of money you invest.

💡 What are ETFs

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund. These are funds that replicate a market index, such as the S&P 500 in the US or the MSCI World globally. Their key feature: they trade on the stock exchange just like shares.

Instead of betting on a single company, an ETF instantly gives you exposure to hundreds or even thousands of companies. This makes ETFs ideal for small investors, as they allow for broad diversification with even modest amounts of money.

🌍 Why they matter and where they’re popular

ETFs have become essential for three main reasons:

1. Diversification: your money is spread across many companies.
2. Low costs: annual fees are far lower than traditional funds.
3. Transparency: they follow well-known indices, so you always know what you’re buying.

No surprise they’re extremely popular in the US, often used in retirement plans. In Europe and Switzerland, ETF usage has also been growing rapidly, especially thanks to banking apps that make investing accessible to anyone.

🔥 ETFs and FIRE

The FIRE movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early) aims for financial independence and, ideally, early retirement. ETFs are a perfect fit for this philosophy because they are:

• simple to manage
• reinvesting dividends automatically to harness compounding
• delivering long-term returns without constant market timing

Many Americans pursuing FIRE base their portfolios almost entirely on low-cost, globally diversified ETFs.

⏳ The importance of starting early

Time is the investor’s greatest ally. It’s not only about how much you invest, but also when you start.

Example:

• Scenario A: start at 25, investing CHF 200 per month.
• Scenario B: start at 35, investing CHF 400 per month.

Even though Scenario B involves double the contribution, you still end up with less by age 65—because you’ve lost ten years of compounding. The lesson: the earlier, the better.

💸 Accumulating vs Distributing ETFs

A key decision when choosing an ETF is whether it’s accumulating or distributing:

• Acc (Accumulating): dividends from the companies in the index are not paid out to you but are automatically reinvested in the ETF. This accelerates growth thanks to compounding. Best suited for long-term growth when you don’t need regular income.
• Dist (Distributing): dividends are regularly paid out (quarterly, semi-annually, or annually) into your account. This option is useful if you want ongoing income—such as supplementing your salary or during retirement.

In short: Acc = growth, Dist = income.

📱 Where to buy: Neon

In Switzerland, buying ETFs has become straightforward with apps like Neon. From your smartphone, you can select and purchase ETFs with transparent fees, even with small amounts. This lowers the entry barrier significantly and makes diversification easy from day one.

✅ Conclusion

ETFs are a powerful and accessible tool for anyone who wants to build a solid portfolio without complexity. They’re widespread globally, essential for strategies like FIRE, and their biggest advantage lies in time: starting early beats investing later with larger sums.

Whether you go for Acc or Dist, the key is simply to begin. And today, with solutions like Neon, there’s no excuse to delay.

ℹ️ Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.

What are dividends?

If you're new to investing, you've likely wondered: what are dividends? Dividends are a portion of a company’s profits that is distributed to shareholders. By purchasing shares, you become a part-owner of the company. When it performs well and generates profit, it may decide to reward investors through a dividend payment.

This payment is usually made in cash but can sometimes be offered as additional shares. Dividends are often seen as a sign of financial health. Companies that distribute them regularly tend to be well-established and profitable.

That said, not every company pays dividends. Startups and high-growth firms often reinvest their earnings to fuel expansion instead of distributing them to shareholders.

How often are dividends paid?

The frequency varies by company and country. In Switzerland, major companies like Nestlé, Novartis, and Zurich Insurance typically pay dividends once a year, after their annual general meeting. In the United States, quarterly dividends are far more common.

Some companies even pay monthly dividends, offering more frequent income for investors. A well-known example is Realty Income, a firm that has built its identity on monthly distributions. You can find regularly updated lists of monthly dividend stocks on websites like Dividend.com.

How do dividends work in Switzerland?

In Switzerland, dividends are considered capital income and must be declared in your annual tax return. Most are subject to tax, but some may be tax-exempt if they are paid from capital contribution reserves.

Additionally, there is a 35% withholding tax applied at the source. If you are a Swiss tax resident, you can reclaim this amount fully or partially through your tax declaration.

Why are dividends important?

Dividends are a key source of passive income. Even if a stock doesn't gain value, regular payouts provide investors with a tangible return. For many, this is a way to earn money consistently without selling assets.

Many investors choose to reinvest their dividends, purchasing more shares and leveraging the power of compound interest. Over time, this strategy can significantly grow your portfolio.

Furthermore, companies with consistent dividend policies are often seen as more stable and resilient. In times of economic uncertainty, they offer a level of reassurance. For anyone building a balanced, long-term investment strategy, dividend-paying stocks can be a valuable component.

🏦 What is the SNB and why it matters

First things first: what is the SNB? The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is Switzerland’s central bank, responsible for managing the money supply and price stability. Its main tool is the interest rate, which affects how much it costs banks to borrow or store money. When the SNB cuts interest rate to 0%, as it did today, it encourages lending and economic activity. That move directly affects loans, credit cards, mortgages, and investments.

📉 Lower rates in Switzerland: what changes for loans, debt and investing

On June 19, 2025, the SNB surprised many by cutting its key interest rate to 0.0%. The aim: to fight off deflation risks and support the economy.

But what does it mean for everyday people like me, who have private loans and some credit card debt?

💸 Personal loans: time to renegotiate?

A 0% interest rate from the SNB doesn’t automatically reduce your current loan terms. But it can open the door to renegotiation. If your credit rating is good, you may be able to refinance or apply for a new loan at better rates. Swiss lenders often react quickly to central bank changes.

💳 Credit cards: no effect, unfortunately

Credit card debt is typically not tied to the SNB rate. So, even if the central rate drops, credit card interest remains high. If you're carrying a balance, it's worth exploring a debt consolidation or switching to a personal loan with fixed lower interest.

🏠 Mortgages and property: rates may fall, but prices are high

Lower base rates often lead to more attractive mortgage offers. This is good news for buyers or anyone looking to refinance. But keep in mind: Swiss property prices are already very high, and lower rates may push them even higher.

📈 When saving isn't enough: investment alternatives

With the SNB rate at 0%, traditional savings accounts offer little to no return. That’s why more people are considering dividend ETFs, REITs, or automated investment platforms like VIAC Invest, even for small monthly contributions.

⚠️ Disclaimer
This article does not constitute financial advice. The information shared here reflects personal views for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advisor before making investment decisions.

📌 Why the SNB’s rate cut is a big deal

When the SNB cuts interest rate to 0%, it sends a strong signal. It changes how banks, markets—and all of us—behave. It can help reduce loan costs, push investments, and shake up property prices. Taking action now could save you money or help you make better financial choices down the line.