Do you need travel insurance?
In short
Health insurance pays emergencies abroad, but outside the EU and EFTA at most twice the cost in Switzerland.
In countries such as the USA that is often not enough. It never pays cancellations. Before you buy, check what your credit card or supplementary insurance already covers.
GuideTo the answer in a few questions
Which insurance do you need for your trip?
Choose what you want to protect. You see what your health insurance already pays and what is missing.
All answers at a glance
What do you want to protect? The trip itself, in case I have to cancel
For that you need cancellation insurance. It pays if you cannot travel because of illness, accident or death. Health insurance never pays a cancellation. It makes sense for expensive trips that you book long in advance.
What do you want to protect? Repatriation and rescue
Basic insurance does not pay for that. Basic insurance does not pay repatriation. Cover is important for mountain tours, long-distance trips and remote destinations.
What do you want to protect? Several trips in one year
An annual insurance is often cheaper. If you travel several times, an annual insurance usually pays off instead of one insurance per trip. First check what your credit card already includes, because insuring twice does not pay off.
Where are you travelling? To the EU, EFTA or United Kingdom
Basic insurance pays, take the insurance card with you. It pays necessary treatment at the country's tariffs, with the European insurance card. It does not pay repatriation or a cancellation.
Where are you travelling? To another country
A gap often remains here. Basic insurance pays emergencies up to twice the cost in Switzerland, in hospital at most around 90 percent. In countries such as the USA, Canada or Japan that is often not enough. First check what your credit card includes, and otherwise take out insurance for treatment costs.
General overview according to KVG, as of 2026. The terms of your insurance and your credit card are what counts. Not advice.
Want to know more?
What does health insurance pay abroad?
| Region | What basic insurance pays |
|---|---|
| EU, EFTA and United Kingdom | Necessary treatment at the country’s tariffs, with the European insurance card |
| Rest of the world | Emergencies up to twice the cost in Switzerland, in hospital at most around 90 percent of Swiss costs |
| Everywhere | No repatriation, no cancellation, no planned treatment |
Which insurance do you need for which trip?
- Cancellation. It pays if you cannot travel because of illness, accident or death. Sensible for expensive trips that you book long in advance.
- Treatment costs abroad. Important for trips to countries with high doctor costs such as the USA, Canada or Japan.
- Repatriation and rescue. For mountain tours, long-distance trips and remote destinations.
What does your credit card already cover?
Many credit cards include travel insurance. Check three things. Do you have to pay for the trip with the card? Which sums apply? Are fellow travellers included? Insuring twice does not pay off.
What many people get wrong
- “Health insurance pays everything abroad.” Wrong. Outside Europe a big gap can remain.
- “Health insurance pays for cancellation.” Never. For that you need cancellation insurance.
- “I need travel insurance anew every time.” An annual insurance is often cheaper if you travel several times.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need travel insurance in Europe?
Not necessarily for treatment. In the EU and EFTA the European Health Insurance Card on the back of your insurance card helps. For repatriation and cancellation you need your own cover.
What about repatriation to Switzerland?
Basic insurance does not normally pay that. You need travel or supplementary insurance for it, often also available through rescue organisations.
Does the credit card insurance always apply?
Often only if you paid for the trip with the card. Read your card's terms before booking.
What comes next?
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This page explains in general terms and does not replace personal advice. Law and your policy are what counts.