Key points at a glance
- Abroad, basic health insurance only pays for emergency treatment, not for planned treatment you travel abroad to receive.
- Outside the EU, EFTA and the UK, it pays at most twice the amount the treatment would cost in Switzerland (Art. 36 para. 4 KVV).
- According to the FOPH, for hospital stays outside the EU it pays at most 90% of what the stay would cost in Switzerland.
- In the EU, EFTA and the UK, basic health insurance pays for medically necessary benefits with the European Health Insurance Card, in the same way as for people insured there.
- Basic health insurance only contributes to rescue costs in Switzerland: 50%, up to CHF 5,000 a year.
What is travel insurance?
Travel insurance is voluntary insurance cover for the time you spend temporarily abroad. In connection with health insurance, it is mainly about medical costs abroad that basic health insurance does not cover, or only covers in part. Many health insurers offer travel or holiday insurance for this as supplementary insurance, often together with supplementary outpatient insurance.
The term is not used consistently. Travel insurance can contain several components that cover different risks:
- Medical costs abroad: the difference between the actual costs and what basic health insurance pays.
- Assistance and repatriation: organising and paying for medically necessary transport back to Switzerland.
- Cancellation: costs if you have to cancel a booked trip because of illness or accident.
- Luggage and travel legal protection: not health insurance, but often in the same package.
Travel insurance must be distinguished from the statutory cover abroad provided by basic health insurance. You always have that cover, without an additional contract. However, it is limited to emergencies and is too tight in countries with high costs.
How it works
What basic health insurance pays abroad depends on the country.
In the EU, EFTA and the UK, you show the European Health Insurance Card printed on the back of your health insurance card (EHIC). You are entitled to the benefits that are medically necessary, in the same way as a person insured there. This also means that you pay the co-payments of the host country. Treatment in private clinics outside the state system is therefore often not covered, or only in part.
In all other countries, basic health insurance only pays for treatment in an emergency. An emergency exists if you need treatment during a temporary stay and returning to Switzerland is not appropriate. The insurer then pays at most twice what it would have paid in Switzerland. According to the FOPH (Federal Office of Public Health), in hospital this means at most 90% of the Swiss hospital costs, because in Switzerland the canton pays at least 55% and the insurer at most 45%.
Travel insurance closes these gaps. Depending on the contract, it pays the difference up to the actual costs, organises repatriation and covers cancellation costs. The benefits, limits and exclusions are set out in the insurance terms and conditions, not in the law. Common differences concern the duration per trip, the countries covered and maximum amounts.
Legal basis
Art. 34 para. 1 of the Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG) states that basic health insurance may only cover the benefits under Art. 25–33 KVG. Under Art. 34 para. 2 KVG, the Federal Council can provide for it to pay for benefits abroad as well. It has done so in Art. 36 of the Health Insurance Ordinance (KVV): under Art. 36 para. 2 KVV, basic health insurance covers treatment in emergencies abroad. There is no emergency if you travel abroad for the purpose of treatment. Art. 36 para. 4 KVV limits cost coverage to at most twice the amount of the costs that would be reimbursed in Switzerland. Art. 36 para. 5 KVV reserves international benefits assistance, i.e. the rules with the EU, EFTA and the UK.
The contributions to transport and rescue are set out in the Health Care Benefits Ordinance (KLV): Art. 26 KLV pays 50% of the costs of medically necessary transport to an approved service provider, up to CHF 500 a year. Art. 27 KLV pays 50% of the costs of rescues in Switzerland, up to CHF 5,000 a year. Repatriation from abroad is therefore not covered.
Travel insurance itself is supplementary insurance under the Insurance Contract Act (VVG/ICA). Art. 2 para. 2 of the Health Insurance Supervision Act (KVAG) allows health insurers to offer such insurance. The benefits it includes are determined by the insurance terms and conditions.
Example: hospital stay in the USA
Nina is 31 years old and has to spend three days in hospital after an emergency during a trip to the USA. The bill amounts to the equivalent of CHF 60,000. The same treatment would have cost CHF 10,000 in a listed Swiss hospital. Both amounts are chosen freely; the shares follow from the statutory rules.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Bill from the hospital in the USA | CHF 60,000 |
| Cost of the same treatment in Switzerland | CHF 10,000 |
| Insurer’s share in Switzerland (at most 45%) | CHF 4,500 |
| Maximum amount paid by basic health insurance abroad (double) | CHF 9,000 |
| Uncovered difference | CHF 51,000 |
What this means for you
Before every trip outside Europe, check whether you have travel insurance. It is often already included in an existing supplementary insurance policy with your health insurer. These questions will help you:
- Where are you going? For the USA, Canada and Japan, the FOPH expressly recommends supplementary travel insurance, because treatment and transport costs there are higher than in Switzerland.
- How long will you be away? Many travel insurance policies only apply for a certain number of weeks per trip. For longer trips, you need suitable cover.
- What does your existing policy cover? Medical costs, repatriation and cancellation are often separate components. Read the terms and conditions.
- Do you have the assistance emergency number with you? If you are admitted to hospital abroad, the insurer often requires you to inform it immediately.
Also think about travel vaccinations: which vaccinations basic health insurance pays for is set out exhaustively in the KLV; many purely travel-related vaccinations are not among them.
You compare basic health insurance itself in the premium calculator. You can find the insurers and their key figures under Health insurers. We set out supplementary insurance with travel cover side by side under Compare supplementary insurance.
Common mistakes
- Thinking the EHIC is comprehensive insurance. It gives you the benefits of the host country, not Swiss standards, and does not cover repatriation.
- Expecting planned treatment abroad to be covered. If you travel abroad to receive treatment, it is not an emergency. Basic health insurance then only pays in special cases.
- Insuring yourself twice. Credit cards, travel agencies and health insurers often offer similar cover. Check what you already have before you buy anything extra.
- Cancelling basic health insurance for the trip. As long as your residence remains in Switzerland, this is not possible. The requirement to take out insurance continues to apply.
We explain how we build examples under How we calculate.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need travel insurance for holidays in Europe?
For medically necessary treatment in the EU, EFTA and the UK, basic health insurance with the European Health Insurance Card is enough. However, you only receive the benefits that people insured there receive, and you pay the local co-payments. It does not cover repatriation to Switzerland or cancellation costs.
Does basic health insurance pay for treatment in the USA?
Only in an emergency and at most up to twice the amount the treatment would have cost in Switzerland, and in hospital at most 90% of the Swiss costs. For countries with high costs such as the USA, Canada or Japan, the FOPH expressly recommends supplementary travel insurance.
Can I suspend basic health insurance during a trip around the world?
No. As long as you keep your residence in Switzerland, you remain subject to compulsory insurance. According to the FOPH, deregistering from your municipality alone does not end your residence.
Is travel insurance included with a credit card equivalent?
That depends on the contract. Check whether the credit card insurance covers medical costs abroad or only cancellation and assistance, and whether it only applies if you paid for the trip with the card.
Related terms
- Cover abroadCover abroad is what your health insurance pays if you fall ill or have an accident outside Switzerland. When you travel, basic health insurance only pays for emergency treatment: in the EU, EFTA and the UK via the European Health Insurance Card, elsewhere at most twice the Swiss amount, and in hospital at most 90% of the Swiss costs. It does not cover repatriation.
- European Health Insurance CardThe European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles you, as a person with Swiss basic health insurance, to medically necessary treatment during a temporary stay in the 27 EU states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and the United Kingdom. You are treated like a locally insured person and pay the local co-payment. It is usually printed on the back of your health insurance card.
- Medical emergencyIn health insurance, an emergency exists when treatment cannot be postponed because, without immediate help, there is a risk of damage to health or of death. In an emergency, basic health insurance also covers treatment outside your canton, and abroad up to twice the Swiss tariff. It pays 50% of rescue costs, up to CHF 5,000 a year.
- Supplementary insuranceSupplementary insurance (Zusatzversicherung) is voluntary health insurance that pays for benefits beyond basic health insurance, such as the semi-private hospital ward, complementary medicine, glasses or dental treatment. It is governed by the Insurance Contract Act (ICA): the insurer may ask health questions, impose reservations and reject applications. Benefits and premiums are set out in the policy conditions and differ from product to product.
- VaccinationsBasic health insurance pays for vaccinations if they are on the list in Art. 12a KLV and are given in line with the FOPH’s recommendations; there are currently 20 items, such as measles, flu or tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Since 01.01.2026 no deductible is charged for these vaccinations, only a 10% retention fee. Basic health insurance does not pay for travel vaccinations.
Sources
- Health Insurance Ordinance (KVV), Art. 36Art. 36 KVVfedlex.admin.ch
- Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG), Art. 34Art. 34 KVGfedlex.admin.ch
- Health Care Benefits Ordinance (KLV), Art. 26 and 27Art. 26–27 KLVfedlex.admin.ch
- Health Insurance Supervision Act (KVAG), Art. 2Art. 2 para. 2 KVAGfedlex.admin.ch
- FOPH: Health insurance: Tourists abroad and globetrottersbag.admin.ch
- Common Institution under the Federal Health Insurance Act (Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG)kvg.org