As 2026 is in its second month, let’s look at what changes – for better or for worse – for families in Switzerland.
On the ‘worse’ side, the most important changes, which significantly impact household budgets, are higher health insurance premiums.
Following the pattern of the past several years, prices of Switzerland’s obligatory health insurance (KVG/LAMal) increased by 4.4 percent in 2026.
That’s the national average – some cantons’ rates will be even higher: for instance, with a hike of 6.9 percent over current premiums, residents of Ticino will be saddled with the highest increase – equating 582 francs a month.
Next is Valais (5.8 percent – 439 francs); Appenzell-Innerrhoden (5.5 percent- 322 francs); Uri (5.3 percent – 363 francs); Zurich (5.1 percent- 451 francs); and Graubünden (5 percent – 400 francs).
However, a lot of changes that are happening in Switzerland in 2026 are (or will be) benefiting families.
Most of them, however, will be regional rather than national:
Taxes
Most residents of Switzerland will have a lower tax burden for 2026 thanks to locally approved cuts and an adjustment of taxation to (low) inflation.
Depending on where you live as well as your civil status, the tax breaks will be more or less significant.
If we take an example of a four-person household – a married couple with two children and a gross annual income of 150,000 francs – taxes for such a family will drop almost everywhere in Switzerland.
(You may be thinking, ‘but we don’t make that much money’. That’s okay: even if your combined wages are lower, you will still see a tax cut).
Residents of Geneva will benefit the most: In a cantonal referendum, 61.3 percent of voters accepted an income tax reduction of up to 11 percent (depending on income) in order to boost the purchasing power of middle-class households.
READ MORE: Where in Switzerland will you pay the lowest taxes in 2026?
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Next: Higher family/child allowance
Families in two cantons – Graubünden and Aargau – are seeing their monthly allowances increase.
From January 1st, they went up by 10 francs per month in both cantons.
In Graubünden, families now receive 240 francs, plus the education allowance of 290 francs (the latter is paid to parents with children aged 16 to 25 who are in post-compulsory education or vocational training).
In Aargau, the child allowance is now 225 francs. and the educational one, 278.
READ MORE: What benefits are you entitled to in Switzerland if you have children?
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Financial relief for Zug parents who have kids in childcare facilities
From August 2026, the canton of Zug will contribute a flat rate of 33 percent toward the costs of childcare in daycare centres.
This cantonal flat rate is intended to ease the financial burden on families and make it easier to balance work and family life.
‘Education without violence’ to be enshrined in the Civil Code
Expected to be implemented sometime in 2026, the new law will ban spanking, slapping, and other forms of corporal punishment in Switzerland.
This practice is already illegal in daycare centres and schools, but it will be extended to families as well.
