Health insurance in Switzerland
Whether you're a traveler, retiree, expatriate or student, consider health insurance in Switzerland to help you enjoy your stay with complete peace of mind!
Switzerland, in the heart of the Alps, boasts breathtaking scenery, crystal-clear lakes and elegant cities such as Zurich, Geneva and Lausanne. Students will find internationally renowned universities and an exceptional study environment. Expatriates appreciate the high quality of life, security and multicultural environment. Holidaymakers marvel at the ski resorts, picturesque villages and fine cuisine. Retirees enjoy a peaceful lifestyle, high-quality healthcare and unspoilt nature.
The country’s quality of life, security and political stability, reinforced by a tradition of neutrality, make it a safe and attractive place to live. Whether your stay is short or long term, take out health insurance in Switzerland with Mondassur! You’ll be able to choose between basic and supplementary KVG/LAMal coverage. Get a free quote for your private health insurance in Switzerland !
Student insurance Switzerland
The insurance that covers your stay for your studies in Switzerland.
From
27€
- Worldwide coverage
- Maximum age: 35
- Covers emergencies and accidents
- Covers hospitalization and routine medical care
- Up to €250,000 per year
- Standard dental and optical expenses up to €550
- Contraception coverage + vaccines
- Maternity care
- Covers pre-existing conditions
- Repatriation assistance
- Civil liability
- Individual protection
Expatriate insurance Switzerland
Health insurance to cover your expatriation to Switzerland.
From
93€
- Worldwide coverage
- Minimum age: 14
- Maximum age: 65
- Covers hospitalization and routine medical care
- Up to €1,500,000 per year
- Maternity coverage up to €4,000
- Coverage of assisted reproduction up to €1,500
- Covers pre-existing conditions
- Coverage of pharmaceutical expenses up to €370
- Optional dental and optical care
- Maternity plus option
- Prevention and well-being as an option
- Optional repatriation assistance
- Optional third-party liability
Travel insurance Switzerland
International health insurance to cover your trip to Switzerland.
From
30€
- Worldwide coverage
- Maximum age: 85
- Covers emergencies and accidents
- Up to €500,000 per trip
- Covers loss, theft or destruction of luggage
- Repatriation assistance
- Travel assistance
- Civil liability
Any questions? Need advice?
Information on health insurance in Switzerland
Political system: Semi-direct democracy
Capital: Berne
Surface area: 41,285 km²
Population: 8.7 million
Languages spoken: German, French, Italian, Romansh
Currency: Swiss franc
How does the Swiss healthcare system work?
The Swiss healthcare system is federally structured, involving various levels of administration: the Confederation, the cantons and the municipalities. The Confederation sets the guidelines for basic insurance deductibles, while the cantons regulate hospital services, remuneration and medical staff working hours. Basic private health insurance, regulated by the Swiss Federal Law on Health Insurance (LAMal), is therefore compulsory for all foreign residents of Switzerland. This basic insurance is provided by private insurers, but under strict regulations that guarantee uniformity of covered benefits.
KVG/LAMal supplementary insurances, although optional, can also cover needs not included in basic insurance. These include needs such as dental care or individual hospital rooms. Furthermore, health insurance in Switzerland is financed by premiums that are calculated on a “per capita” basis. This means that the insured’s income is not taken into account, but rather criteria such as age, gender and canton of residence.
However, if you already have a first insurance plan, depending on your canton, you may be exempted from KVG/LAMal supplementary insurance.
Local Swiss insurance
Health insurance and maternity benefits
Health insurance includes compulsory care insurance and optional daily allowance insurance. Health insurers may also offer supplementary insurance not governed by the Federal Health Insurance Act.
Affiliation conditions
Anyone living in Switzerland must therefore take out health insurance within 3 months of arrival. You choose your insurer.
Here are the different types of health insurance:
- Basic health insurance: “compulsory health insurance” (AOS) offered by all health insurance companies. In fact, benefits are identical regardless of the health insurance provider (hospitalization in a shared room, outpatient care). However, health insurance does not cover dental care.
- Managed Care HAM: this model allows you to choose your family doctor from a list provided by your insurer. You will always be obliged to consult your doctor first.
- Managed Care HMO: an HMO also offers a healthcare network with lower applicable fees. This means that your doctor will always be part of a care network. So, if you need further care, he or she will refer you to a specialist who can be part of his or her care network.
Sickness benefits
Sickness benefits include general sickness, accident and congenital disability benefits and cover :
- Examinations, treatments and care provided (outpatient, hospital, medical-social institution by physicians or on medical orders)
- Analyses, medicines
- Sector C hospital stay (semi-private room)
- Preventive measures carried out by a doctor
- Participation in spa treatments, transportation and rescuecosts
- Medically prescribed rehabilitation measures
In the event of hospitalization, adults and young adults no longer in training must pay a contribution of 15CHF (approx. €15) per day of hospitalization.
Most dental treatment is not reimbursed by the compulsory insurance scheme.
Does local insurance cover Swiss permanent residents and workers abroad?
LAMal therefore offers different insurance cover depending on the destination. As a result, they all have one thing in common: they only cover emergency medical treatment to a greater or lesser extent, often at a rate well below 100%. Medical treatment or the purchase of medication on your own initiative (without the intervention of emergency services such as the fire department or other emergency doctors) will not be covered by LAMal outside Europe.
How do I consult a GP or specialist in Switzerland?
Consulting a GP, specialist or even a medical practitioner in Switzerland has never been easier. With the advent of websites and apps, you can book a consultation online with the practitioner of your choice. There’s also the Doctolib app and the Onedoc site, exclusively reserved for Swiss medical structures, where you can book the consultation of your choice.
Examples of the cost of medical care in Switzerland
- Consultation with a general practitioner: CHF 110 (approx. €115)
- Visit to a paediatrician: CHF 200 (approx. €210)
- Dental treatment: CHF 150 (approx. €157)
- Physiotherapy session: CHF 200 (approx. €210)
- Hospitalization + overnight stay: 10,000 CHF (approx. €10,500)
- Delivery : CHF 5280 (approx. € 5540)
- Caesarean section after 33 weeks: CHF 7,500 (approx. €7,860)
- Appendicitis operation: CHF 6675 (approx. €7,000)
The costs incurred during hospitalization are therefore very difficult to anticipate, as they vary according to several criteria:
- The number of doctors and staff involved in the patient’s care
- Equipment used according to the patient’s needs
- Patient’s state of health
- Any complications that may arise during your stay
- Patient comfort (shared, private or semi-private ward)
- The canton andfacility chosen by the patient (prices vary from canton to canton and facility to facility)
In addition, you will have to pay at least 150CHF (around €157) per day for a semi-private ward (which can cost up to 300CHF depending on the canton) and at least 300CHF (around €315) for a private room.
Which health insurance for Switzerland?
What we recommend is that you take out private insurance in Switzerland to cover you at better reimbursement rates than the Swiss compulsory basic insurance.
In addition, your hospitalization costs will be covered at 100% wherever you travel. This is not a condition of Swiss compulsory insurance, which is only competitive in Europe.
You can also count on GoldExpat health insurance for Switzerland to take care of your routine medical expenses abroad. They are reimbursed at 90% or 80% (depending on the formula chosen). This includes general practitioner and specialist consultations, check-ups and medication.
Finally, expatriate insurance for Switzerland means that you’ll be covered for repatriation to your home country if necessary, whether you’re in Switzerland or on the other side of the world. Not at 50% as provided by Swiss health insurance, but at 100% of actual costs.
Some examples of hospitals for expatriates in Switzerland
- Zurich University Hospital
- Center Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (Lausanne)
- Geneva University Hospitals
- Niversitätsspital Basel
Healthcare networks in Switzerland
Firstly, there are numerous care networks in Switzerland. What’s more, these networks are often organized around cantons, to maximize the efficiency of a small-scale healthcare system. What’s more, these networks offer lower fees and faster access to care. Examples include the Haut-Léman, Nord Broye, Côte and Lausanne health networks.
Emergency services in Switzerland
In order to be as efficient as possible, the Swiss emergency system takes the form of a “rescue chain” (SC). The system also comprises 5 links: emergency assistance by witnesses, emergency call, lay first aid, professional rescue, transport to the right hospital and hospital treatment.
You can call the emergency number 112. You’ll be taken care of immediately, from first aid to emergency hospitalization. The ambulance service is 144.
How do you care for your children in Switzerland?
The paediatric service in Switzerland is highly developed. Indeed, it offers a very thorough service and follow-up. However, the cost of a consultation is high (on average 200CHF per hour, around €210), as a consultation often involves a basic fee plus a fee for every 5 minutes. It is therefore possible to book consultations with a paediatrician on the Onedoc website.
Pregnancy and childbirth in Switzerland
Ultrasound, MRI and CT scans can be performed in ultrasound practices. You can also go to radiology and imaging institutes, or to hospitals. It all depends on whether you choose a public or private institution. You can also choose which institutions your insurance company partners with. Appointments can be made by telephone or via the Onedoc website.
Examples of the cost of medical examinations during pregnancy in Switzerland:
- Ultrasound: between CHF 130 and 400 (€135 and €420)
- MRI : between CHF450 and CHF1,600 (€470 and €1,675)
- Scanner : between CHF 300 and 1200 (€ 315 and € 1,260)
There are also free family services available to women who have just become mothers:
- Midwife consultation: weighing the baby, answering questions.
- Open day for young stay-at-home mothers.
A woman with only basic health insurance will not be able to choose her doctor during childbirth. This is because the insurance only covers the cost of accommodation in a general ward. Thus, from the thirteenth week of pregnancy until eight weeks after delivery, all costs will be reimbursed, including prenatal consultations, ultrasounds, etc.
Generally, you will benefit from 7 prenatal consultations, 2 ultrasounds, as well as a stay in a semi-private room and a check-up 6 to 8 weeks after delivery.
Do I need health insurance in Switzerland?
Switzerland has one of the best healthcare systems in the world, but it is also one of the most expensive. Compulsory basic health insurance covers part of the medical costs incurred. However, when it comes to more extensive surgery, medical costs will skyrocket. Without supplementary insurance, deductibles and co-payments will reach exorbitant levels.
Expatriate Insurance Gold Expat Safe
1st Euro
Balanced international health insurance
Expatriate insurance with a good cover/price ratio and high levels of coverage.
From
107€
- Worldwide coverage
- Minimum age: 14
- Maximum age: 65
- Covers 90% of routine medical care
- 100% hospitalization coverage
- Up to €1,000,000 per year
- Maternity coverage up to €4,500
- Coverage of assisted reproduction up to €1,000
- Covers pre-existing conditions
- Coverage of pharmaceutical expenses up to €230
- Optional dental and optical care
- Maternity plus option
- Prevention and well-being as an option
- Optional repatriation assistance
- Optional third-party liability
Expatriate Insurance Gold Expat Premium
1st Euro
The most comprehensive expatriate insurance!
Expatriate insurance with superior cover, ideal for comprehensive coverage in Switzerland.
From
138€
- Worldwide coverage
- Minimum age: 14
- Maximum age: 65
- Covers up to 100% of routine medical care
- 100% hospitalization coverage
- Up to €1,500,000 per year
- Maternity coverage up to €6,000
- Coverage of assisted reproduction up to €1,500
- Covers pre-existing conditions
- Coverage of pharmaceutical expenses up to €370
- Optional dental and optical care
- Maternity plus option
- Prevention and well-being as an option
- Optional repatriation assistance
- Optional third-party liability
