Altersheim & Pflegeheim Kosten Schweiz: Übersicht 2026

The average costs for a place in a retirement home in Switzerland are between CHF 8,000 and CHF 12,000 per month. These costs are made up of hotel services (accommodation and meals), care costs, and the actual nursing costs.

Nursing home costs differ considerably depending on the canton. In urban areas such as Zurich or Geneva, costs can be significantly above average, while rural regions tend to be cheaper. Private retirement homes are generally more expensive than public or subsidised facilities.

In addition to the basic home costs, there are often additional costs for individual needs, such as hairdresser, foot care, personal laundry, or special activities. In total, private elderly care costs can quickly reach CHF 15,000 per month or more.

Care costs in Switzerland are calculated according to a graduated system. The higher the care requirement, the higher the costs. The following overview shows the approximate monthly total costs including hotel services and care:

Note: Actual costs vary depending on the canton, facility, and individual situation. The maximum patient contribution to care costs is limited nationwide to CHF 23 per day (approximately CHF 700/month).

The financing of a nursing home place in Switzerland rests on three pillars:

• Health insurer (OKP): The compulsory health insurance contributes a fixed amount to the care costs, depending on the care level. However, this contribution covers only part of the actual care costs.
• Canton and municipality (residual financing): The difference between the health insurer's contribution and the actual care costs is covered by the canton or municipality — the so-called residual financing.
• Residents' own contribution: Hotel and care costs as well as the patient's contribution to care (max. CHF 23/day) must be paid from own resources — AHV pension, pension fund, savings, or supplementary benefits.

If your own income and assets are insufficient, supplementary benefits (EL) can be applied for. Learn in detail who pays for the retirement home and whether children must pay for their parents.

Waiting times for a nursing home place vary considerably depending on the region and facility. In urban centres, the waiting time can be several months to over a year, especially for popular homes. In rural areas, places are often available more quickly.

For registration, you usually need a medical certificate with a needs assessment. The process typically includes the following steps:

• Needs assessment by the family doctor or a Spitex organisation
• Registration with one or more nursing homes
• Assessment interview and visit to the facility
• Admission as soon as a place is available

Tip: Register early, even if admission is not immediately imminent. In urgent cases (e.g. after a hospital stay), transitional solutions such as short-term stays can be used.

Many families prefer home care, whether through family caregivers, Spitex services, or a combination of both. The costs of home care are in many cases significantly lower than a nursing home stay and allow those affected to remain in their familiar environment.

Depending on the care needs, outpatient home care can cost between CHF 2,000 and CHF 6,000 per month — a significant savings potential compared to a nursing home. In addition, family caregivers can receive compensation for their efforts through models such as care allowance.

pfleg.ch supports you in organising suitable home care — from arranging qualified care workers to calculating your care salary.