Well-being | 24.11.2025
Glasses and contact lenses: what will health insurance cover?
Around three quarters of Swiss citizens require a visual aid such as glasses for their everyday life or work as, left uncorrected, even minor visual issues can lead to headaches or fatigue. However, the cost of glasses or contact lenses can often place strain on a family’s budget. Whether or not the cost is covered by health insurance depends on the type of insurance. Basic health insurance only provides very limited cover for glasses whereas supplementary insurance often offers a higher subsidy for glasses or contact lenses.
Health insurance subsidy for glasses: what is covered in Switzerland?
The cost of glasses varies greatly. The price is determined by factors such as the type of correction, the lens and finish quality, the frame – and above all, the optician. The cost of quality frames with high-end corrective lenses can quickly reach four digits. But what will health insurance cover?
What does basic health insurance cover?
Children:
- Basic health insurance will pay up to 180 francs per year for spectacle lenses and contact lenses for children under the age of 18. It will not, however, cover any frame costs.
- For the health insurance to assume coverage of the costs, an ophthalmic prescription must be provided annually.
Adults:
- Health insurance or medical insurance will only subsidise glasses and contact lenses for adults in the case of certain medical conditions (diabetes or after eye surgery). It will not provide a subsidy in the case of normal short or long-sightedness.
- Some special cases for adults are only reimbursed every two years.
- The contribution lies between 180 and 630 francs per year and eye.
Reimbursement is subject to an excess and a deductible.
What does supplementary insurance for glasses and contact lenses cover?
Supplementary insurance can be worthwhile as it offers a financial subsidy for glasses and contact lenses for children and adults even in the case of normal short or long-sightedness. The benefits differ depending on the health insurer.
