In Switzerland, first debts often appear as soon as young adults enter working life. Limited income, health insurance costs and unpaid bills can weaken a budget. Clear explanations and practical solutions to help regain control.
The start of adult life under financial pressure
Entering professional life is often associated with freedom and independence. Yet it also comes with new financial responsibilities.
With income still limited, every expense matters.
On top of that, there is an environment strongly driven by consumption. Targeted advertising, instalment payments and instant online shopping : everything encourages spending, sometimes without fully realising the impact on the budget.
According to various surveys, up to 30 % of 18- to 25-year-olds have already taken on debt, and many find themselves facing difficulties in paying their bills or covering unexpected expenses.
First commitments, first difficulties
Several factors explain why over-indebtedness often affects young adults.
The beginning of a career usually comes with a still modest salary, which limits the ability to absorb unexpected expenses.
This is sometimes compounded by a lack of financial management knowledge, making budget decisions more difficult.
Administrative transitions, especially the move to individual responsibility for health insurance, can also generate unanticipated debts.
Lastly, pressure to consume increases the risk of accumulating financial commitments during the very first years of working life.
Conversely, debt enforcement proceedings are far less common among people with a more stable financial situation, especially higher-income households, homeowners or seniors.
This shows just how decisive the first years of working life can be.
Unpaid health insurance : a frequent issue among young people
In Switzerland, health insurance is compulsory and represents a significant expense in the budget of young adults.
Until 2023, health insurance debts could be attributed to a young person after the age of 18 if premiums had not been paid by their parents.
These insurance debts are among the main causes of arrears and can quickly contribute to a situation of over-indebtedness. The consequences can be significant :
- Difficulty renting accommodation
- Restricted access to credit or financial products
- Entries in registers such as CRIF or ZEK
- Increased financial pressure, especially at the beginning of professional life
Can you recover when bills start piling up ?
Yes. But acting quickly is essential.When debts begin to accumulate, the priority is to clarify your situation, understand any debt enforcement proceedings and prevent delays from getting worse.
Some people manage to renegotiate payment deadlines with creditors, while others need to consider consolidation or debt restructuring solutions.
In all cases, a clear understanding of one’s financial situation is an essential first step toward regaining control.
Solutions offered by Milenia
Financial difficulties should not define your future.
At Milenia, we support young adults facing financial difficulties through responsible consumer loans and personalised telephone support.
Our approach is designed to help you regain financial visibility and structure a plan that respects your budget, with seriousness and care.
In practical terms, we help you to :
- Combine several bills and debts into one single clear and manageable monthly payment, reducing the pressure linked to multiple due dates
- Better understand your situation in the event of debt enforcement proceedings
- Answer your questions on sometimes unclear concepts such as CRIF, ZEK or creditworthiness
- Restore a more balanced budget
Each situation is analysed with seriousness and care in order to propose a suitable solution, without judgment and in complete confidentiality.