Anyone living in Switzerland benefits from one of the best healthcare systems in the world. But what are the pros and cons of the healthcare system? What do you need to know when moving to Switzerland? And how does the Swiss healthcare system differ from the system in your home country? We provide an overview.

How is the Swiss healthcare system structured?

The Swiss healthcare system is based on a federalist structure, which means that the federal government, cantons and local municipalities assume different tasks in the healthcare system. For example, the government specifies the rate of deductibles and accepts or rejects changes to premiums, while the cantons specify which benefits are provided by which hospitals. They also set the wages and working hours of hospital doctors and nurses. In addition, the state and private sector have to work together. Private health insurance companies provide both basic and supplementary insurance, but they must strictly observe the regulatory requirements of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH/BAG) and the Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). In accordance with the Swiss Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG/HIA), basic insurance is compulsory for anyone who lives in Switzerland. To supplement the benefits available under basic insurance, you can take out supplementary insurance plans that cover, for example, dental treatment or single-room accommodation during hospitalisation.

What are the pros and cons of the Swiss healthcare system?

The biggest advantage of the Swiss system is that everyone has access to high-quality medical care. For example, every person living in Switzerland is entitled to basic insurance and must be admitted without a medical exam. What’s more, Switzerland has a very high density of hospitals and doctors. In 2018, Switzerland ranked first in the annual Health Consumer Powerhouse survey which focused on criteria such as patient rights, access to healthcare, therapy results, preventive care, medicines and range of benefits.

The biggest problem is that, due to the fact that numerous stakeholders (government, cantons, municipalities, health insurers, healthcare providers) assume different tasks, the Swiss healthcare system is very complicated. It’s also one of the most expensive healthcare systems in the world alongside the USA, Sweden and Germany.

Healthcare system in comparison with other countries

Find out how the Swiss healthcare system compares to other countries and how they differ.

Healthcare systems - Switzerland vs England

The English healthcare system is organised by the National Health Service (NHS) and financed by taxes. The principle of solidarity applies in Switzerland. Put simply, everyone pays health insurance contributions regardless of their state of health. Another difference: Switzerland has a choice of basic insurance models: free choice of doctors, telemedicine consultation or family doctor model. In England, you always have to go to your family doctor first. Only those who take out private supplementary insurance can choose which doctor to go to.

UK

Switzerland

England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales each have their own publicly-funded national health service (NHS) No public health system as such, but people must have mandatory basic health insurance covering fixed catalogue of benefits defined by law
Private medicine (provided by private healthcare establishments), paid for by the patient, their private insurer or employer, is a niche market Optional private supplementary insurance covering additional benefits (e.g. superior hospital accommodation or complementary therapies) 
No separate premium for healthcare; NHS is funded by taxpayers Premiums paid by insureds themselves. Premium depends on region, age, and alternative basic insurance model chosen (discounts possible)
Inpatient care (including accommodation, meals, drugs, etc.) in state-run hospitals is free; most state-run hospitals also offer superior facilities for which patients can pay a supplementary charge Inpatient care (including accommodation, meals, drugs, etc.) is covered by basic insurance; superior facilities in hospital, e.g. a single room, are available with supplementary insurance.
The NHS is funded mainly from general taxation supplemented by National Insurance contributions (NICs). Per-capita premium
NHS patients (with certain exceptions) in England pay a fixed prescription charge of GBP 9.15 for each item of medication from community pharmacies; no such charges in NI, Wales or Scotland Medication paid for subject to chosen annual deductible and 10% copayment (max CHF 700 per year)
Visits to the doctor, hospital and (basically) the dentist free of charge, unless the patient chooses to go private Medical care (but not dentistry) paid for subject to chosen annual deductible and 10% copayment (max CHF 700 per year)
Medical care provided by state-run health centres and hospitals, in minority of cases by private doctors or hospitals  Depending on choice of model, either free choice of doctor or certain limitations

Healthcare systems - Switzerland vs USA

The Swiss and U.S. healthcare systems have one thing in common: they are among the most expensive systems in the world. Otherwise, they are worlds apart. In the USA, citizens can choose whether to take out state or private insurance. However, the costs are so high that many people don’t have any health insurance. In contrast, everyone in Switzerland has to take out basic insurance by law. In the USA there are several public health insurance schemes, including Medicare for senior citizens over 65 and people with disabilities, Medicaid for people with low incomes, and Tricare for military personnel and veterans.Although there are around 60 different health insurers in Switzerland, they all offer the same benefits under basic insurance. In addition, all health insurers in Switzerland are legally obliged to admit all applicants to basic insurance, thus ensuring that everyone has access to high-quality medical care.

United States

Switzerland

Affordable Care Act provides a mandate that everyone needs to be insured. If you don’t take out health insurance, you have to pay a fee. Subject to extensive legal debate. Universal mandatory healthcare provided by private companies
Private health insurance is predominant. Government options at federal level, such as Medicare and Medicaid, exist. Private plans vary. Private health insurance available, e.g. travel insurance or greater luxury in hospital (e.g. single room instead of multi-bed room) 
Insurance often comes through employer, but employees are ultimately paying it through their paycheck. Paid by insured, not by employer
Can be paid by an individual. However, an individual can get insurance that covers family by adding dependents. Children and spouse covered. Paid by person, not by family
Insurance premiums are decided by private companies and rates vary due to a number of factors. However, insurance cannot be denied to those with pre-existing conditions. Premium depends on region where insured lives, age and insurance model chosen
Dental insurance is completely separate. Does not have to be covered. Dental care not included; covered by private insurance
Depends on plan. But generally, if you pay more per month, you get more benefits, i.e. lower deductible (general trend). Adult deductible can be chosen between CHF 300 and 2,500 per year -> the higher it is, the lower the monthly premium
Depends on plan  Copayment of 10%, but not more than CHF 700 per year for adults or CHF 350 for children
If below a certain income, you may qualify for Medicaid. You can have both Medicare + private insurance.  Low income situations: government subsidises regular healthcare plans (no separate health insurance). Insurance premiums not dependent on income (billionaires pay same price as everyone else) 
Separate plan (Medicare) exists for retired individuals, but is not mandatory (you can still use private insurance).  No separate healthcare plan for retired people 

Healthcare systems - Switzerland vs Germany

In Switzerland, every resident is obliged to take out basic insurance. There are around 60 private health insurance companies to choose from, and applicants are free to choose who they take out insurance with. Health insurers are legally obliged to admit all applicants to basic insurance, regardless of their state of health. Anyone who wants to ensure extra benefits can do so by taking out supplementary insurance cover. In this case, however, insurers can choose whether to accept an application or reject it on the basis of existing illnesses. Another big difference: In Germany, dental treatment is covered by both private and statutory health insurance. In Switzerland, patients have to pay dental bills themselves, unless they have the appropriate supplementary insurance plan.

At a glance: Switzerland vs Germany:

Germany

Switzerland

Statutory and private health insurance
Statutory basic insurance (KVG/HIA)
Private supplementary insurance
Private supplementary insurance plans (e.g. alternative medicine)
Costs of health insurance covered 50% by employer and 50% by employee
Costs of health insurance covered by insured; usually no employer contribution
Family premium
Per capita premium
Same premium for everyone
Premium dependent on premium region, age, alternative insurance model (discounts available)
Exemption from statutory health insurance possible
Exemption from mandatory basic health insurance only possible in exceptional cases
Dental insurance included with health insurance
Dental insurance must be taken out separately

Healthcare systems - Switzerland vs France

In contrast to Switzerland, the French healthcare system is primarily  financed by salary contributions and taxes. Here, health insurance is financed by premiums that are calculated independently of income. In Switzerland, insureds can choose between different care models for basic health insurance – free choice of doctors, telemedicine consultation, etc. In France, the family doctor is the first point of contact in all cases. While there are no semiprivate hospital rooms in France, supplementary insurance policies can be taken out in Switzerland to make the stay in hospital more pleasant – for example, in a two-bed room instead of a multi-bed room.

Healthcare systems - Switzerland vs Italy

Similar to France and England, the Italian healthcare system (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) is financed by taxes. In Switzerland, premiums that every insured person pays finance the health insurance companies. In Switzerland, unlike in Italy, you can choose which doctor to go to, provided that you’ve taken out the appropriate basic insurance model.

Healthcare systems - Switzerland vs Spain

Unlike in Spain, patients in Switzerland are charged for medical services – regardless of whether the hospital or doctor is public or private. Dental treatment is not covered in either Spain or Switzerland, but in Switzerland it is possible to get around this by taking out supplementary insurance.

Healthcare systems - Switzerland vs Portugal

Anyone living in Switzerland is obliged to take out basic insurance. The situation is different in Portugal: Anyone who works there automatically has health insurance. Unlike in Portugal, in Switzerland you can choose your family doctor. As you are responsible for finding a family doctor, we recommend that you find out about possible family doctors early on and register with them. This way you are protected in case of emergency. The costs of the treatment – minus the deductible und copayment – are covered by health insurance.

What is the principle of solidarity?

This principle has a long tradition in Switzerland and it is based on the idea that all insureds form a group.Each person makes a contribution so that in an emergency there are enough resources available to give someone the help they need when they need it. This means that even those who are in perfect health and never need to see a doctor pay their monthly premium and thus indirectly provide for those who are ill and need more medical support. It is the task of the federal government, cantons, municipalities and health insurance companies to keep this group balanced. That’s why decisions in the Swiss healthcare system are always taken in the interest of the group as a whole.

Premium regions

In Switzerland there are different premium regions for the health insurance company. These are specified by the federal government. This means that your premium is based not only on your age and sex but also where you live. Generally speaking, premiums tend to be higher in cities than in rural areas. This is because health costs are higher in cities as the density of doctors, hospitals and nursing homes is higher. There are currently 42 premium regions in Switzerland. Each canton has at least one region, for example the cantons of Aargau, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel and Geneva, and a maximum of three, for example Bern, St. Gallen and Zurich. Find out here how you can save money on your premiums.

Instant advice

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