Accident Insurance: Federal Council Lowers Threshold for Self-Employed
Entry Threshold Drops to CHF 44,460 Annually
Self-Employed Individuals Can More Easily Insure Against Accidents from 2027
Self-employed individuals with lower incomes will gain easier access to voluntary accident insurance. The Federal Council will lower the entry threshold from an annual income of CHF 66,690 to CHF 44,460 as of January 1, 2027. According to the federal government, approximately 40,000 additional self-employed individuals could benefit from this voluntary accident insurance.
The change is part of a revision of the Ordinance on Accident Insurance (UVV). The Federal Council approved the corresponding adjustment on August 26, 2026. The previous income limit proved to be a barrier, particularly for self-employed individuals with lower or fluctuating incomes.
A Significantly Lower Minimum Income
Until the end of 2026, the entry threshold for voluntary accident insurance is CHF 66,690 per year. From the beginning of 2027, it will drop to CHF 44,460.
The limit will thus correspond to 30 percent instead of the previous 45 percent of the maximum insured earnings.
This allows self-employed individuals with significantly lower incomes to take out voluntary accident insurance. The Federal Council estimates that around 40,000 additional people could gain access to this insurance.
Why the Change is Important for the Self-Employed
Employees in Switzerland are generally mandatorily insured against occupational accidents and – with sufficient working hours – also against non-occupational accidents. Self-employed individuals are not automatically subject to this mandatory accident insurance.
They can voluntarily insure themselves under the Accident Insurance Act. However, they previously had to reach a certain minimum income.
The lower entry threshold now removes part of this access barrier. Especially for self-employed individuals with lower incomes, an accident can have significant financial consequences, as it can result in loss of earnings in addition to treatment costs.
Part-Time Self-Employed Individuals Also Considered
The revision concerns not only the income limit. Insurers will now also have the option to adjust the entry threshold for part-time self-employed individuals to their level of employment.
This can be particularly relevant for people who pursue their self-employed activity only part-time. This includes, for example, individuals in the cultural sector or self-employed people who combine various gainful activities.
This aims to better align the regulation with different forms of self-employment.
What Specifically Changes for Those Affected
The new regulation comes into force on January 1, 2027. Self-employed individuals who previously could not take out voluntary accident insurance due to their income being below the entry threshold will thus generally have a new opportunity.
The insurance remains non-automatic. Self-employed individuals must voluntarily insure themselves and meet the respective requirements.
The future premium amounts cannot be deduced from the Federal Council's announcement. Insurers must adapt their calculations and procedures to the new regulation.
Particularly Relevant for Self-Employed with Fluctuating Income
For self-employed individuals, the income situation is often less stable than for employees. Earnings can fluctuate significantly from one assignment to another or from year to year.
A high entry threshold can therefore result in people with generally sufficient gainful employment not gaining access to voluntary accident insurance.
With the reduction to CHF 44,460, this group is significantly expanded. The Federal Council therefore links the change with improved insurance protection for self-employed individuals.
Accident Insurance is Not Health Insurance
When classifying the change, an important point must be observed: Voluntary insurance under the Accident Insurance Act protects against the financial consequences of accidents. It is not health insurance and does not replace mandatory health care insurance.
The revision therefore does not change the health insurance coverage of self-employed individuals. Rather, it facilitates access to additional coverage against the consequences of accidents.
40,000 People Could Gain New Access
According to the Federal Council's assessment, approximately 40,000 self-employed individuals could benefit from the lower entry threshold.
However, it is not yet possible to say how many people will actually take out voluntary accident insurance. Decisive factors include individual premiums, personal risk assessment, and the financial situation of those affected.
The new regulation primarily creates the possibility for a larger group of self-employed individuals to voluntarily insure themselves.
The Change Comes into Force at the Beginning of 2027
The previous rules remain in place until the effective date. Insurers now have time to adapt their processes to the new entry threshold and the additional options for part-time self-employed individuals.
For individuals who were previously excluded from voluntary accident insurance due to their income, the new limit of CHF 44,460 will be particularly relevant.
Conclusion
From January 1, 2027, voluntary accident insurance will become more accessible for self-employed individuals. The entry threshold drops from an annual income of CHF 66,690 to CHF 44,460. According to the Federal Council, this could enable approximately 40,000 additional people to voluntarily insure themselves against the consequences of accidents.
The reform is particularly aimed at self-employed individuals with lower incomes and will better consider part-time models in the future. It thus creates broader access to voluntary accident insurance, without equating it with mandatory health insurance.
For those affected, the most important point is: The new opportunity applies from 2027, but the insurance must still be taken out voluntarily. How attractive it is in individual cases depends, among other things, on the offered premiums and personal insurance needs.
Source
- Federal Office of Public Health / Swiss Confederation: Revision of the Ordinance on Accident Insurance (UVV), August 26, 2026.
