24-hour senior care at home in Switzerland

Care levels in Switzerland

How care needs are assessed and who pays which costs – explained in plain terms.

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Unlike Germany, Switzerland has no nationwide, standardised “care grades” (Pflegegrade). What counts is your individual care needs, measured in minutes of nursing care per day. For nursing care in a care home, compulsory health insurance (OKP) uses this as the basis for dividing needs into twelve levels – the higher the level, the more the health insurer contributes to nursing care.

Important: this classification applies to nursing care in a care home. For nursing care provided by Spitex (home nursing service), the health insurer instead pays hourly rates depending on the type of service. seniorencare24’s 24-hour care at home is independent of this – it can accompany any care level and is combined with existing nursing services.

The 12 levels and the health insurer’s contribution

Level Nursing care needed per day Health insurer’s contribution per day
Level 1
up to 20 minutes CHF 9.60
Level 4
61–80 minutes CHF 38.40
Level 8
141–160 minutes CHF 76.80
Level 12
over 220 minutes CHF 115.20
Your share (max.)
CHF 23.00 per day

Basis: Health Care Benefits Ordinance (KLV, Art. 7a). The contribution rises by CHF 9.60 a day with each level – from CHF 9.60 (level 1) to CHF 115.20 (level 12). The insured person’s own share is capped by law at around CHF 23 a day at most; the residual financing is covered by the canton and municipality.

How are care needs assessed?

Care needs are assessed by a professional – usually from Spitex or the care home – using a recognised needs assessment tool. Three systems are particularly widespread in care homes:

  • BESA: common in German-speaking Switzerland, mainly in care homes.

  • RAI/RUG: an internationally used system that is also used in care homes and long-term care.

  • PLAISIR: mainly used in French-speaking Switzerland.

The result of the assessment determines the level – and therefore how much the health insurer contributes to nursing care. The classification is reviewed regularly and adjusted to actual needs.

Care level and 24-hour care at home

A high care level does not automatically mean moving into a care home. Many people want to stay at home even as their care needs increase – and that is exactly what 24-hour care makes possible. The caregiver takes care of everyday life, companionship and supervision around the clock; seniorencare24 coordinates the actual nursing services with the local Spitex, so that the health insurer’s contribution to nursing care is preserved.

Prices for care at home are the same throughout Switzerland and start at CHF 5’080 a month (5 days/week) or CHF 7’530 a month (7 days/week). You will find a full overview in our cost overview. How the costs compare with a care home is explained under care home costs. How round-the-clock care works is described under 24-hour care at home.

Frequently asked questions about care levels

For nursing care in a care home, Switzerland divides care needs into twelve levels, measured in minutes of nursing care per day. Each level corresponds to around 20 additional minutes of care needed. The level determines how much the health insurer contributes to nursing care.

In a care home, a qualified nurse assesses your needs using a recognised tool such as BESA, RAI/RUG or PLAISIR. The result sets the level and is reviewed regularly.

The health insurer’s contribution rises by CHF 9.60 a day with each level – from CHF 9.60 (level 1) to CHF 115.20 (level 12). The basis is the Health Care Benefits Ordinance (KLV, Art. 7a).

Your share of nursing costs is capped by law: in a care home at a maximum of CHF 23 a day, and for nursing care at home by Spitex at a maximum of CHF 15.35 a day. The remaining residual financing is covered by the canton and municipality. If your means are not sufficient, supplementary benefits (Ergänzungsleistungen, EL) can help.

No particular care level is required for 24-hour care at home – it is independent of the classification and can support any level of need. Prices start at CHF 5’080 a month (5 days/week) or CHF 7’530 a month (7 days/week); nursing services are coordinated with Spitex.

Sources

As of: November 2026

More guides on senior care

Overview: Guide to care at home