Swiss Healthcare system explained for foreigners & expats
The Swiss healthcare system enjoys high recognition worldwide for its excellent quality and innovative strength. It is regularly ranked among the most outstanding healthcare systems in the world. According to the Euro Health Consumer Index 2019, the Swiss healthcare system is the best in Europe.
Medical care in Switzerland stands out above all for its simple and fast access to highly qualified specialists. In addition to short waiting times (where consultations can be arranged within a few days and waiting times for treatment are not a concern and much shorter than in other countries) Switzerland beats any other country for medical quality in staff and equipment, safety, hygiene and precision.
Patients in Switzerland benefit from these unique local advantages. The concentration of state-of-the-art medicine here allows you to get back to your home and daily life as quickly as possible.
On this page you'll find essential infos on Health insurance in Switzerland, How to register with a GP, what it means to be a patient in a Swiss hospital, what it means to give birth in Switzerland or what to do in a medical emergency.
Giving birth in Switzerland
What happens when you’re pregnant in Switzerland? And what's it like giving birth in Switzerland?
Tell me moreWhat to do in a medical emergency?
Find out exactly what you can do in a medical emergency.
Tell me morePrevention is better than cure
How should you approach prevention?
When life happens at a dizzying pace (especially for you as an expat), you can easily neglect the clues your body is sending. Or it can just be very hard to prioritize regular check-ups when nothing feels wrong. In reality, regular check-ups are one of the best investments in yourself: the earlier health risks and potential medical conditions are detected, the better they can be treated or even prevented, thus increasing your prospects of a long and happy life.
Prevention done right
Efficient prevention requires a personalized check-up that always starts with a full assessment of your current medical situation to determine all potential risks.
At Hirslanden, we always start with a basic comprehensive assessment of the current medical situation. We practically team up with you to assess potential health threats, then we continue the check-up program individually.
For a preventive evaluation of the health of a particular organ, or if significant illnesses have previously occurred in your family (for example, bowel cancer), we recommend an organ-specific preventive health check- up. These preventive programs are put together on a specialty-specific basis, and deal with an organ system (for example, the skin is covered by Dermatology).
Preventive genetic assessment
Hirslanden’s Precise program intends to up the ante in early diagnostics. The specialists at “Hirslanden Precise” will examine your individual genetic conditions. In an initial consultation, your personal family tree will be analysed to determine which genetic analysis to use further. Genetic analysis provides more precise information about a person's state of health, which is integrated into the overall treatment - allowing for a more accurate diagnosis and more effective prevention or treatment options.
Your individual treatment at Hirslanden's Private Health Center
The Private Health Center located at Klinik im Park in a prime location overlooking Lake Zurich, serves as a leading center for preventive medicine and diagnostics. It offers a full spectrum of services that include advanced check-up medicine utilizing the latest advancements in scientific technology. The Private Health Center is affiliated with Hirslanden, the largest medical network in Switzerland.
Each patient is treated with the utmost discretion and confidentiality in a comfortable setting. The center's doctors possess vast experience and specialized knowledge that spans across disciplines, allowing them to provide a comprehensive approach to patient care. Hirslanden values a holistic approach to healthcare and places great emphasis on communication and empahy. Their tailored programs begin with a comprehensive assessment to determine individual risk factors and develop health-focused lifestyle recommendations in collaboration with patients.
Schedule your health check up
Do you need a specialist doctor?
When you need to see a specialist, Hirslanden, part of the largest private hospital group in Switzerland, has set up a direct line to support foreigners in Switzerland.
If you're a foreigner in Switzerland, you might not know who to turn to when you need a more serious medical intervention. You might also need support in English and have numerous questions related to your health insurance.
Tell me moreHealth insurance & healthcare
How expensive is healthcare in Switzerland?
Healthcare in Switzerland is of excellent quality with highly trained staff and cutting-edge technology, which does not come cheap. However, your health insurance will cover most healthcare costs.
The amount of money you pay out of our own pocket depends on the type of franchise you choose. The higher the franchise (=your contribution), the lower your monthly premium gets. When you choose a low franchise, your monthly premium will automatically be higher.
Tell me more about health insuranceHow to choose your GP in Switzerland
Depending on your basic insurance policy, you can choose your GP from a predefined pool of doctors, from GPs in your canton of residence or from anywhere in Switzerland. We recommend you choose a GP close to your home.
Tell me moreA day in a Swiss Hospital
What happens when you're a patient in a Swiss hospital and what is the best hospital in Switzerland?
Tell me moreDo you have more questions related to healthcare in Switzerland?
Schedule appointments and get multi-language support from Hirslanden's top-rated medical specialists.
Get in touch with Hirslanden