Health insurance in Switzerland
Medical coverage for expats & foreigners
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Why get private health insurance in Switzerland?
Switzerland works differently from most countries: there's no state health system. Instead, everyone who lives here has to buy basic insurance (called LAMal, or KVG in German) within three months of arriving.
Until you're enrolled, you're not covered. And there's no employer contribution here, so you pay the full premium yourself. In 2026, that averages around CHF 429 (€465) per adult per month. Without cover, the bills are steep. A private GP visit runs about CHF 150 (€163), and a day in hospital can cost around CHF 2,350 (€2,550).
How does the healthcare system work in Switzerland?
Mandatory basic insurance (LAMal/KVG)
There's no public system to fall back on. Every resident on any permit must purchase basic insurance from a licensed insurer (such as CSS, Helsana, Swica, or Sanitas) within 3 months. Public hospitals in Zurich, Lausanne, and Geneva serve their canton, and English-speaking care is excellent in the bigger cities.
Swiss pharmacies & medication
There are around 1,800 pharmacies nationwide: look for Apotheke, pharmacie, or farmacia. They're usually open 9 am to 6:30 pm on weekdays, with a duty rota covering nights and Sundays. A few run 24/7, like Bellevue Apotheke in Zürich. Pharmacists in major cities speak English, and antibiotics need a prescription.
Emergency services
Dial 144 for an ambulance. Or, 112, the Europe-wide line. For mountain and air rescue, call Rega on 1414; their helicopters can reach anywhere in Switzerland within 15 minutes. In cities, ambulances arrive in 8–12 minutes on average, and operators speak English.
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Plans from €80.5/month. Sign up online in minutes.
How much is health insurance in Switzerland?
Switzerland has one of the most expensive healthcare markets in the world, so costs add up fast. A private GP visit costs CHF 150 (€163), a specialist visit CHF 400 (€435), and a day in a private hospital CHF 2,350 (€2,550).
Public healthcare in Switzerland
This is mandatory for every resident within three months of arrival. In 2026, it averages around CHF 429 (€465) per adult per month, with no employer contribution and nothing taken from your payroll. It varies a lot by canton, though: about CHF 317 (€344) in Zug versus CHF 562 (€609) in Geneva.
Private medical insurance
Optional supplementary plans add features like private rooms, dental coverage, and coverage abroad, but they're medically underwritten, so your health history matters. Feather's international plans start at €80.50/month for Essential and €120.75/month for Plus, with outpatient, dental, mental health, and maternity.
Visa & health insurance requirements for Switzerland
Swiss permits require you to enroll in basic insurance within three months of arrival, plus proof of cover for the gap before that kicks in. Short-stay Schengen visas need at least €30,000 in travel medical cover with repatriation.
Accepted for all major Swiss visas
Feather meets the €30,000 Schengen minimum and covers the three-month gap before your basic insurance starts: for short-stay, residence, cross-border, retirement, and student permits.
Documents ready when you sign up
Your English insurance certificate is in your account the moment you sign up. Accepted by Swiss cantonal migration offices and communes, no translation needed.
How does Feather's international health insurance work?
Choose your plan
Compare Essential and Plus, pick your deductible, and sign up in under 5 minutes. No paperwork, no medical exams.
Get your documents instantly
Your confirmation and visa-ready proof-of-coverage documents land in your account straight away.
Visit any doctor
See any licensed doctor, specialist, or hospital in Switzerland. No referrals, no network restrictions, no pre-approval.
Upload your bill in the app
Already paid? Open the Feather app, snap a photo of your invoice, and submit your claim in under a minute.
Get reimbursed to your account
We review your claim and reimburse you directly to your bank account. Most claims are processed within two weeks.
Cancel anytime after year one
There's a one-year minimum term. After that, cancel whenever you want. No penalties.
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Why choose Feather?
200,000+ happy customers
Experience insurance crafted by expats, for expats.
100,000+ claims processed
Paid out in three weeks on average.
4.8 Star rating
On over 2,500 reviews.
English-speaking support
Our team speaks your language.
All digital
Sign up, file claims, and manage your policy in our app.
Privacy first
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