Am I covered by Swiss health insurance on holiday abroad?

Yes, but only for necessary treatment during a temporary stay. In Europe, what is medically necessary counts. Outside Europe, basic insurance only pays emergencies. These are illness or accident where a return to Switzerland is not medically possible. This applies to holidays, business trips and visits. Basic insurance is the compulsory health insurance that everyone in Switzerland has.

In the EU, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and the United Kingdom, the European Health Insurance Card helps you. It is on the back of your insurance card. You get necessary treatment under the rules and tariffs of the country, just like locals. You may have to pay a share on the spot. The card does not replace travel insurance.

1. Get help first. Health comes first.
2. In the EU, the EFTA states and the United Kingdom, show your card.
3. Ask for the invoice, the diagnosis and proof of payment.
4. Send everything to your health insurer after the trip.

For accidents, cover depends on how you are insured against accidents. Employees are usually insured through their employer, everyone else through their health insurer with accident cover. This is explained in Accident cover in health insurance.

Cover there is limited. The cap, repatriation and the gaps in countries such as the USA are explained on the page Basic insurance abroad, cap and gaps. For trips with cancellation and repatriation, Travel and cancellation helps. What supplementary insurance covers is explained in Basic and supplementary insurance.

• “The card is valid worldwide.” Wrong. It only applies in the EU, the EFTA states and the United Kingdom.
• “The card replaces travel insurance.” Wrong. It gives you access to necessary treatment, nothing more.

This page does not replace advice.