2026 is still in its infancy. In this article, moneyland.ch looks at developments in banking, insurance, and telecom.
How high is inflation?
The inflation rate in Switzerland is currently at a very low level. That will likely remain the case in 2026. The federal government’s economic forecast predicts annual inflation of 0.2 percent.
How will interest rates develop?
The interest rates of Swiss savings accounts are already very low. At the start of 2026, the average annual interest rate across savings accounts for adults sits just above zero, at 0.12 percent. There are no indications that this trend will reverse in the near future. If the Swiss National Bank (SNB) were to lower its key interest rate past 0.00 percent per annum – and thus usher in a new period of negative interest rates – then we will likely see interest rates for savings sink even further.
“It is not a great time for savers. Currently, savings accounts hardly yield any returns at all,” clarifies moneyland.ch banking expert Ralf Beyeler. “But savers should check if they could earn higher interest yields by moving to a different bank.” What is more: “Even if you do not want to leave the bank you use for most of your banking, you can still open an additional savings account at a different bank to profit from better interest rates.”
The other side of the coin: Sinking interest rates have a positive effect on mortgage offers. At the end of 2025, the average annual interest rate was 1.28 percent for a two-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM), 1.56 percent for a five-year FRM, and 1.89 percent for a 10-year FRM. “Most market participants expect the SNB’s key interest rate to remain at 0.00 percent throughout 2026. If that is the case, then we can expect to see mortgage interest rates remain at current levels,” predicts moneyland.ch mortgage expert Felix Oeschger.
How will bank fees develop in the future?
Online service providers like neobanks have changed the Swiss banking landscape in recent years with their ease-of-use, and low fees and charges. Some established banks have reacted to this growing competition by lowering their fees. Some cantonal banks, Valiant, and even UBS now offer private accounts with no basic account fees.
But as per the start of 2026, a real revolution in banking costs has not yet occurred. Bank customers in Switzerland remain relatively loyal to their banks. “Many consumers stick with their chosen bank regardless of high costs,” says Ralf Beyeler. “Many will likely choose to use the same bank that their parents and grandparents used. For others, using a bank that has branch offices near them where they can sit with a bank employee and get answers to their questions over a cup of coffee remains important,” adds Beyeler. “Often, long-time customers endure much less favorable terms and conditions than new customers at the same bank. And banks are not forced to cater to existing customers because they know that these customers will remain loyal.”
How will credit cards change in 2026?
The Swiss credit card market has remained fairly stagnant for some years now. But that may change in 2026. On the one hand, the maximum annual interest rate for negative balances has been lowered from 13 percent to 12 percent. On the other hand, Swisscard recently launched a credit card with no foreign transaction fee.
Credit cards with no foreign transaction fees are still a novelty in Switzerland, with only Migros Bank offering them since mid-2022. It could be that the move by Swisscard to follow suit could push other issuers to take the same step. It is important to be aware, however, that both Swisscard and Migros Bank still charge hidden fees in the form of markups on currency exchange rates for foreign transactions.
Differences between the various credit card issuers are large. Most consumers pay more than necessary for using credit cards. By comparing credit cards and moving to a better offer, you could save a lot of money.
Will personal loans become cheaper in 2026?
Borrowers who get personal loans in 2026 will likely pay somewhat less interest, compared to those who took out loans in 2025. Personal loans are getting cheaper: The maximum legal interest rate is now 10 percent, down from 11 percent in 2025. The limit was already lowered from 12 percent in 2024 to 11 percent in 2025. Important: Borrowers can always apply to refinance a personal loan with a new loan from a different lender. In many cases, moving to a loan with a lower interest rate can save you money.
“Comparing current offers from various lenders can lead to your getting a loan with noticeably better conditions. In addition to new loans, existing loans can often also be refinanced with a cheaper loan that has lower interest rates,” says loan expert Mahir Yalin from FinanceScout24. “The drop in the maximum interest rate makes now an ideal time to review your personal loan and check whether you could get a better deal. A professional comparison now pays off more than ever.”
Will health insurance premiums keep going up?
For a very long time now, the cost of mandatory health insurance has steadily increased. In 2026, obligatory health insurance costs 4.4 percent more, on average, than it did in 2025. Premiums will likely go up in the following year as well, in keeping with increases in healthcare costs,” says moneyland.ch insurance expert Daniel Dreier. “Still, many residents will be able to minimize the price increase by moving to a more affordable mandatory health insurance offer.”
How will the cost of insurance develop in 2026?
Many insurance customers can expect to pay more for their various insurances in 2026. That is primarily true for car insurance, which for many years now has steadily become more expensive for both new and existing customers. Insurance companies justify the price hikes by citing an increase in insurance claims and higher prices for car repairs.
How will the new year affect mobile plans?
The three telecom network operators Swisscom, Sunrise, and Salt have, for some time now, placed a strong emphasis on their subsidiary brands. “Consumers view subsidiaries as being more affordable than their parent companies. But independent carriers are often even cheaper,” observes telecom expert Ralf Beyeler.
“In recent times, really competitive prices have primarily been the domain of independent mobile carriers like Digital Republic, Galaxus Mobile, and Spusu.” Salt competes in this segment with its Gomo subsidiary, and Sunrise with its new CHF Mobile carrier. Swisscom is currently the only network operator that does not have a true low-cost subsidiary.
Ultimately it is largely up to consumers to decide how much they are willing to pay for their mobile plans. “Many consumers could save a lot of money by migrating to a cheaper mobile plan,” says Beyeler. “Plans that include unlimited calls and data in their flat fee are available for less than 20 francs per month,” adds Ralf Beyeler.
Are there any changes in the streaming market?
The Swiss streaming market will soon be enriched with one more major video streaming service: HBO Max will launch in Switzerland on January 13, 2026. It has already been available in many other European countries for some time. In addition to well-known HBO series, HBO Max will also have movies from Warner Bros, including classics like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. You can find more information in the moneyland.ch analysis of HBO Max. HBO is currently the subject of a proposed takeover, with both Netflix and Paramount bidding for ownership.
Video streaming service providers Netflix, Disney Plus, and Paramount Plus have all raised their prices several times over recent years. There is no indication of a reverse trend in 2026, and it is perfectly possible that Swiss customers will have to bear with yet another price hike.
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