Moving to Switzerland
Thinking of moving to Switzerland? Learn all you need to plan your move, including visa requirements, healthcare options, and living costs.
Understanding Switzerland’s Healthcare System
Learn about Switzerland's healthcare system, including how to access care, how the insurance system works, and what you can expect to pay.
It might be a mountainous paradise for many, but if you’re moving to Switzerland, you’ll need to understand how the local healthcare works. Luckily, Switzerland’s healthcare system is one of Europe’s best, with a high standard of care across all cantons. For everything you need to know about Swiss healthcare, this article lays out how to access care, what you can expect to pay, and what insurance coverage you’ll need.
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How Healthcare in Switzerland Works
Switzerland has an exceptionally high standard of healthcare. In fact, the Swiss healthcare system is considered one of the best in the world. The World Health Organization ranks it as 20th overall in the world. The country is ranked first on the 2018 European Health Consumer Index. Switzerland scores particularly well in terms of accessibility, health outcomes, and staffing.
Healthcare in Switzerland is universal. While each canton has numerous administrative responsibilities, the system as a whole is highly regulated through the Swiss Federal Law on Health Insurance.
However, there are no free state-provided services. The system is not tax-based, and employers do not finance it. Instead, private health insurance is mandatory for all individuals residing in Switzerland.
Additionally, there are some partially subsidized private services. They include postpartum home care services and assistance for those recovering from illnesses and accidents.
While private health insurance in Switzerland is mandatory, residents have a lot of flexibility. Patients can choose from their preferred insurers. The basic packages, the legal minimum that people residing in Switzerland must hold, are always economical, as the companies cannot profit from selling them.
This basic health and accident coverage is known as “soziale krankenversicherung” in Swiss German, “assurance maladie” in French, and “assicurazione-mallatie” in Italian.
Costs and Funding in Switzerland’s Healthcare System
As of 2022, Switzerland’s healthcare expenditure, as a percentage of GDP, was among the highest in Europe, at around 11.7% of its GDP. In 2024, totel healthcare expenditure in Switzerland topped CHF 97 billion ($123 billion).
In Switzerland, patients pay up to 8% of their personal income towards the cost of a basic insurance plan. If their premiums exceed 8% of their income, the government provides a cash subsidy to cover the difference. Additionally, residents with low incomes are eligible for discounts on their premiums.
However, your premium doesn’t pay for all healthcare costs. Patients in Switzerland typically pay a portion of the cost of their medical treatment. Each patient has an annual deductible that ranges between CHF 300 and CHF 2,500 (between $370 and $3,000).
Patients must pay the set deductible before their coverage takes effect. Additionally, patients are responsible for covering 10% of the costs for most medical appointments. This co-payment is capped at a maximum of 700 Francs a year.
The Differences Between Private and Public Care
Insurance companies in Switzerland are required to offer basic coverage to everyone. They cannot refuse on the basis of age, sex, or medical condition.
Additionally, they cannot make a profit on the sale of basic health coverage. However, they can sell additional supplemental or complementary healthcare coverage packages, such as alternative medicine and dental treatments.
As such, Switzerland has one of the largest private healthcare sectors globally. This benefits patients because all the competition creates a good amount of choice. Insurers also typically give patients the opportunity to upgrade the type of room they receive care at hospitals in Switzerland.
Unlike the basic coverage plan, complementary plans are risk-based. This means they can set their rates based on the applicant’s health, age, and other factors.
Although basic health coverage is very comprehensive, more than 80% of Swiss residents have supplementary coverage.
These private plans enable patients to have a single room during their hospital stay. It also means you have a choice of doctors and significantly reduced wait times.
Who is Eligible For Coverage
Health insurance in Switzerland isn’t a matter of eligibility; it’s mandatory! Anyone who is legally resident in Switzerland is required to have health coverage.
The actual amount you pay for your basic premium depends on the insurer, as well as other price-determining factors. This includes the level of coverage you choose, your location, and whether you opt for any additional supplemental plans.
With about 60 different companies to choose from, there’s no shortage of choice for patients. If you’re not happy with your insurance provider, you can change once a year, provided you give adequate notice.
However, if you don’t make a choice within three months of arrival, the government might choose for you. If this happens, you might end up with more expensive premiums than you want or miss out on key services.
Healthcare Options for Expats and Foreigners
Residents of other European Union countries can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for short-term visits to Switzerland. This program enables EU residents to access Switzerland’s healthcare system at the same rate as Swiss residents. The EHIC card is free, but you must apply for one before you leave home.
For visitors from outside of Europe, it’s recommended to sign up for private travel insurance ahead of time to ensure you are covered in the event of any urgent medical treatment and care.
Aside from short-term visitors, all residents of Switzerland need to sign up for basic health coverage. You have 90 days after your arrival to sign up with a provider.
The first step is to register with your local cantonal authorities upon arrival in Switzerland. After that, when you select your preferred provider, you will need to provide additional documents.
The insurance company will likely require identification, such as your passport or a Swiss residence permit, as well as proof of address, such as a utility bill. Upon completion of registration, you’ll receive your insurance card in the mail.
Maternity Care in Switzerland
Switzerland’s healthcare system includes comprehensive maternity care. Expectant mothers have several options when it comes to prenatal care and delivery in Switzerland.
Women can choose from the services of midwives, obstetricians, or general practitioners for their maternal care. Under a basic coverage plan, pregnant women can choose to deliver at home, in a hospital, or at a designated birthing center.
The state covers all associated costs of prenatal care from the 12th week of pregnancy onwards. This includes tests, checkups, antenatal classes, the delivery itself, lactation consultations, and a postnatal checkup.
Babies are not automatically registered with a provider, and parents must take care of this administrative task after they are born.
Additionally, before giving birth, expectant mothers will need to visit their local civil registry, accompanied by the father-to-be, to complete the preparatory paperwork.
Find the Best International Medical Insurance
- Compare multiple quotes from top insurers
- Get expert advice at no additional cost
- Find the right plan for your needs and budget
Switzerland’s Healthcare System FAQs
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No. Insurance companies in Switzerland must accept everyone for basic coverage, regardless of age, health history, or medical condition. However, this rule only applies to basic insurance. Any supplemental plans you may wish to take out can still consider your health when setting rates.
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If you miss the 90-day enrollment window when you move to Switzerland, the government can automatically assign you a plan. This is often at a higher cost than what you could have chosen yourself, and you may also owe back-payments covering the period you went without coverage. Therefore, it’s recommended you sign up with an insurance provider before the deadline.
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Yes, though switching plan types usually means a higher premium so factor that in before you make a change. Restricted models like HMOs or family-doctor plans cost less monthly but limit your choice of providers, while standard plans cost more but let you see any doctor freely.
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Cross-border workers living in France or Germany can typically choose between Swiss basic insurance or staying enrolled in their home country’s system. However, this depends on bilateral agreements between the countries. This choice must usually be made within three months of starting work in Switzerland.
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Yes, children follow the same system, but premiums are usually lower. Children and young adults under 18 typically pay reduced rates for basic insurance, and some cantons offer additional subsidies for families with kids, making coverage more affordable per child.
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While Swiss national law sets the baseline requirements for healthcare provision, each of the country’s 26 cantons manages hospital planning, subsidy programs, and premium calculations locally. This matters, because it means premiums and available discounts can vary significantly depending on where you live, so research ahead of time and see what’s available to you.
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Yes. Basic plans cover medically necessary mental health treatment, such as therapy and psychiatric care, when prescribed by a doctor. However, the number of covered sessions and specific providers can depend on your plan and canton. If you’re looking for specific mental healthcare, shop around for the best option for your needs.
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Health coverage in Switzerland isn’t tied to employment. It’s mandatory for all legal residents in the country, whether they’re working or not. This includes retirees, students, and dependents. This means everyone must arrange their own basic plan regardless of job status.