Author: Swiss Federal Council
Source: news.admin.ch
Publication Date: 19 December 2025
Reading Time: approx. 3 minutes
Executive Summary
The Federal Council wants to significantly lower the hurdle for voluntary accident insurance for the self-employed – from 66,690 to 44,460 Swiss francs annual income. This reform could enable insurance coverage for around 40,000 additional self-employed individuals, with particular benefits for women and low-income occupational groups. The consultation period runs until April 2026.
Critical Key Questions
- Freedom & Self-Responsibility: Why does insurance remain voluntary rather than mandatory – where is the boundary between protection and self-determination?
- Justice: Why does the previous threshold disproportionately affect women and low earners?
- Transparency: What cost implications arise for insurers and premiums – will this be disclosed?
- Innovation: To what extent does the flexibilization for part-time workers (e.g., cultural sector) address a genuine market problem?
- Accountability: Who bears the risk if the self-employed remain underinsured?
Scenario Analysis: Future Perspectives
| Time Horizon | Expected Development |
|---|---|
| Short-term (1 year) | Consultation completed; first feedback from insurers and associations on cost implications |
| Medium-term (5 years) | Regulations in force; gradual increase in insurance coverage rates among self-employed; premium effects visible |
| Long-term (10–20 years) | Reduction of poverty risks following accidents; possible adjustment of mandatory insurance threshold discussed |
Main Summary
Core Topic & Context
The Federal Council is modernizing accident insurance for the self-employed. So far, only those whose annual income reaches at least 45% of the maximum amount (66,690 CHF) can voluntarily insure themselves. This threshold excludes hundreds of thousands of self-employed individuals – with serious consequences in the event of accidents.
Key Facts & Figures
- New entry threshold: 44,460 francs (30% instead of 45% of the maximum amount)
- Additionally insured persons: approx. 40,000 self-employed individuals
- Particularly affected: Women, cultural workers, low earners
- Flexibilization: Insurers can adjust threshold to part-time employment
- Consultation deadline: until 2 April 2026
- ⚠️ Cost estimate for insurers and premium increases: not specified
Stakeholders & Affected Parties
| Group | Status |
|---|---|
| Self-employed with income 44,460–66,690 CHF | Benefit directly |
| Women in part-time employment | Significant improvement expected |
| Cultural workers & artists | Flexible calculation enables better access |
| Insurance companies | New customer group, but cost risk ⚠️ |
| Employees | Indirectly affected (premium dynamics) |
Opportunities & Risks
| Opportunities | Risks |
|---|---|
| Protection gap for vulnerable groups closes | Premium increases for existing policyholders? |
| Better existential security in case of accidents | Administrative burden for insurers unclear |
| Part-time flexibility for cultural sector | Moral hazard: underestimation of accident risks |
| Reduction of old-age poverty due to accident consequences | Insurers could intensify rejections |
Action Relevance
For Decision-Makers:
- Communicate cost implications transparently (missing)
- Clarify premium impacts for employee policyholders
- Establish evaluation mechanism for 2030
To Monitor:
- Consultation responses from insurers (cost scenarios)
- Political debates on mandatory vs. voluntary insurance
- International comparisons (Scandinavia, Germany)
Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking
- [x] Central statements and figures verified (Federal Council press release)
- [x] Unconfirmed data marked with ⚠️
- [x] Information gaps (cost implications, premium effects) explicitly marked
- [x] No political bias detected – factual and neutral presentation
Supplementary Research
- State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO): Current statistics on self-employment rates and accident rates
- Swiss Insurance Association (SVV): Statements on cost implications and premium impacts
- Federal Statistical Office (BFS): Income distribution of self-employed by gender and sector
Source Directory
Primary Source:
Federal Council – Press Release: "Accident Insurance Should Become More Accessible for the Self-Employed" (19 December 2025)
news.admin.ch
Supplementary Sources:
- Accident Insurance Act (UVG) – admin.ch
- Accident Insurance Ordinance (UVV) – current version
- SECO – Statistics on self-employed insurance
Verification Status: ✓ Facts verified on 19 December 2025
This text was created with the support of Claude Haiku.
Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 19 December 2025