Health insurance: Tourists in Switzerland

Tourists from EU-/EFTA-countries or United Kingdom (UK) are entitled to receive medical treatment during visits to Switzerland (holidays, business trips). Nationals of other countries must have sufficient insurance to cover the costs of treatment in Switzerland.

Tourists from EU-/EFTA-countries or UK

Persons with statutory health insurance cover from an EU-/EFTA-country or United Kingdom (UK) are entitled to receive treatment in the event of illness, non-occupational accident or maternity during visits to Switzerland (holidays or business trips). With the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), they are entitled to receive medical care that is considered essential given the type of treatment and the expected length of their stay in Switzerland. This means that patients do not need to curtail their visit to Switzerland and return home for treatment. Persons who do not have their European Health Insurance Card with them can apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate from their health insurer.
For more information, see the links below to the Common Institution under the KVG.  

Tourists from other countries

Tourists from another country (outside EU/EFTA/UK) must ensure that they have adequate health insurance cover. It is recommended that they take out travel insurance covering the costs of essential medical treatment in Switzerland.

Persons who require a Schengen visa to visit Switzerland must take out private medical insurance providing minimum coverage of EUR 30,000. For further information, see the State Secretariat for Migration website: “Short-term stay: entry requirements for Switzerland”.

Entry with the intention of settling in Switzerland

Persons entering Switzerland with the intention of taking up residence (e.g. due to marriage) are subject to compulsory health insurance from the date of their arrival, not their registration with the Residents' Registration Office or the issue of their residence permit. They must obtain insurance from an authorised Swiss health insurer within 3 months after their arrival - in which case, cover will apply retrospectively from the date of their arrival. If they fail to do so, they can be automatically assigned to a health insurer; if the delay is not justifiable, they will be liable to a premium surcharge for late registration. In this case, they will be required to cover the costs of any medical treatment received prior to enrolment themselves.

Medical tourism

Persons staying in Switzerland for the sole purpose of receiving medical treatment or undergoing a cure are not entitled to obtain insurance from a Swiss health insurer.

Links

Common Institution under the KVG: Information for persons who are insured with a health insurance in the EU/EFTA or UK

Common Institution under the KVG: Claim to benefits

Common Institution under the KVG: Domicile in EU/EFTA; Information on cost sharing and reimbursement

SEM: Short-term stay: entry requirements for Switzerland

Legislation

Ordinance on Health Insurance (OAMal; RS 832.102), article 2 (in French)

Further information

Last modification 06.07.2023