Health insurance in Switzerland
The medical cost in Switzerland and health management with LAMAL make it essential to take out insurance for an expatriate, an international student or a vacation.
Switzerland offers vast opportunities in diverse sectors such as finance, pharmaceuticals and technology, attracting highly qualified specialists from all over the world. Its prestigious universities and research institutes are also magnets for international students and researchers. Quality of life, security and political stability, reinforced by a tradition of neutrality, make this country a safe and attractive place to live. Renowned for its magnificent scenery, including mountains, lakes and valleys, Switzerland is a prime destination for lovers of skiing and outdoor activities. Whether your stay is short or long, take out international health insurance in Switzerland! Mondassur can help you choose between basic and supplementary KVG/LAMal coverage. Get a free quote for your international health insurance in Switzerland today!
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 communes. 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 Health Insurance Act (KVG/LAMal), is 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, cover needs not included in basic insurance, such as dental care or individual hospital rooms. Health insurance in Switzerland is financed by premiums that are calculated on a “per capita” basis, irrespective of the policyholder’s income, but taking into account 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 supplementary insurance.
Local Swiss insurance
Health insurance and maternity benefits
Health insurance comprises compulsory care insurance and optional daily allowance insurance. Health insurers may offer supplementary insurance not governed by the Federal Health Insurance Act.
Affiliation conditions
Anyone living in Switzerland must 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. Benefits are the same for all health insurers (hospitalization in a shared room, outpatient care), but 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 required to consult this one 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. If you need further care, he will refer you to a specialist who can be part of his 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 rescue costs
- Medically prescribed rehabilitation measures
In the event of hospitalization, adults and young adults no longer in training must pay a contribution of 15CHF per day of hospitalization.
Most dental treatments are not reimbursed by compulsory insurance.
Does local insurance cover Swiss permanent residents and workers abroad?
LAMal offers different insurance cover depending on the destination. These plans all have one thing in common: they cover more or less only emergency medical treatment at a rate often well below 100%. Medical treatment or the purchase of medication on your own initiative (without the intervention of the fire department or other emergency services) will not be covered by LAMal outside Europe.
How do I consult a GP or specialist in Switzerland?
Consulting a general practitioner, a specialist or even a medical practitioner in Switzerland has never been easier. Since the advent of websites and apps, you can book a consultation online with the practitioner of your choice. There’s the Doctolib app and the Onedoc site, which is exclusively reserved for the Swiss medical structure, 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
- Visit to a paediatrician: CHF 200
- Dental treatment: CHF 150
- Physiotherapy session: CHF 200
- Hospitalization + night : CHF 10,000
- Delivery: CHF 5280
- Caesarean section after 33 weeks: CHF 7,500
- Appendicitis operation: CHF 6675
Costs incurred during hospitalization are 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 and facility chosen by the patient (prices vary from canton to canton and facility to facility)
In addition, there is a minimum charge of 150CHF per day for a semi-private ward (rising to 300CHF depending on the canton) and a minimum charge of 300CHF for a private room.
What health insurance for Switzerland?
What we recommend is that you take out private international insurance, which will cover you at better reimbursement rates than the compulsory Swiss basic insurance.
In addition, your hospitalization costs will be covered 100% wherever you travel, unlike compulsory Swiss insurance which is only competitive on European territory.
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 GP and specialist consultations, check-ups and medication.
Last but not least, expatriate insurance for Switzerland means 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
Hospitals in Switzerland
There are numerous care networks in Switzerland, often organized around the cantons to maximize the efficiency of the small-scale care system. What’s more, these networks enable us to charge lower rates and provide faster access to care. These include the Haut-Léman, Nord Broye, Côte and Lausanne healthcare networks.
Paramedical care in Switzerland
In order to be as efficient as possible, the Swiss emergency system takes the form of a “rescue chain” (SC). Made up of 5 links: emergency help by witnesses, emergency call, lay first aid, professional aid and transport to the appropriate hospital and hospital treatment.
You can call the emergency number 112. You’ll be taken care of immediately, depending on the urgency of your situation. From first aid to emergency hospitalization, you’ll be taken care of very quickly by this chain. The ambulance service is 144.
Maternity in Switzerland, from pregnancy to childbirth
The paediatric service in Switzerland is highly developed. It offers a high level of service and follow-up. However, the cost of a consultation is high (on average 200CHF per hour), as a consultation often involves a basic fee plus a fee for every 5 minutes. You can book consultations with a paediatrician on the Onedoc website.
Pediatric service in Switzerland
Ultrasound, MRI and CT scans can be performed in ultrasound practices, radiology and imaging institutes or hospitals. It all depends on whether you choose a public or private institution, and which ones 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
- MRI: between CHF 450 and CHF 1,600
- Scanner: between CHF 300 and CHF 1,200
There are 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. The insurance only covers the cost of accommodation in a general ward. From the thirteenth week of pregnancy until eight weeks after the birth, all expenses will be reimbursed, including prenatal consultations, ultrasounds etc…
Generally, you will benefit from 7 prenatal consultations, 2 ultrasounds, a stay in a semi-private room and a check-up 6 to 8 weeks after delivery.
Should you take out 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 your medical expenses. 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 common medicine
- 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
