Introduction
Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe, especially when it comes to healthcare, so travel insurance matters more here than in many other destinations. For some travelers it is a legal requirement, for others it is “only” strongly recommended – but it is not the line where you want to save.
Whether insurance is mandatory depends on your visa situation, nationality and trip format.
This guide explains when insurance is required to enter Switzerland, how the local healthcare system works, what coverage to choose and what it all typically costs.
Key Takeaways
- Travel medical insurance is mandatory if you need a Schengen visa for Switzerland.
- Minimum requirements for visas: at least €30,000 medical coverage per person for the whole stay, including repatriation.
- Visa-exempt travelers are not always legally required to have insurance, but going without it in Switzerland is highly risky due to medical costs.
- EHIC/GHIC and similar state cards give access to public care at local rates but do not replace full travel insurance.
- Mountain activities (skiing, snowboarding, hiking, climbing) usually require extended coverage and explicit sports/rescue benefits.
- A basic travel policy for a 7–10 day trip in Europe typically costs around €15–40 per person; extended plans cost more.
- Ideally, choose a policy with zero or low excess, sports coverage and delay/cancellation benefits, especially in winter.
Is Insurance Required to Enter Switzerland?
The key factor is whether you need a Schengen visa.
If you are applying for a Schengen visa for Switzerland
- Travel medical insurance is mandatory.
- Coverage must be at least €30,000 per person.
- It must cover emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation and medical repatriation back home.
- The policy must be valid for the entire stay in the Schengen Area.
These requirements are set by Schengen regulations and reflected in consulate and visa-centre checklists.
If you are visa-exempt (EU/Schengen citizens and some third-country nationals)
- In many cases a separate travel policy is not a strict legal requirement.
- Border officers may still ask how you plan to pay for medical care – EHIC/GHIC, other state cards, funds and/or insurance all help.
- Given how expensive Swiss healthcare is, travelling without any insurance is a major financial risk – even a minor ER visit can generate a bill of hundreds or thousands of francs.
For long-term stays (work, study, relocation)
- Switzerland has mandatory health insurance for residents: you must take out Swiss health insurance within a few months after arrival.
- A short-term travel policy does not replace local mandatory health insurance.
Schengen Visa Requirements and Travel Insurance
For short-stay Schengen visas (up to 90 days), the common rules are:
- Minimum €30,000 medical coverage per person.
- Valid for the entire duration of your stay in the Schengen Area, not just Switzerland if you visit other countries too.
- Must cover:
- emergency medical treatment;
- hospital care;
- medical repatriation or repatriation in case of death.
The policy should clearly list the geographic area as “Schengen countries” or “Europe including Switzerland” to avoid issues at the visa stage or at the border.
Often embassies and consulates publish lists of recommended or accepted insurers; it is worth checking those before you buy.
Visa-Exempt Travelers, EHIC/GHIC and Private Policies
If you enter Switzerland visa-free (for example, as an EU/Schengen citizen or from a visa-exempt country), insurance:
- may not be legally mandatory in all cases,
- but remains an important proof of financial capacity and, more importantly, protection against high medical costs.
EHIC/GHIC and similar state health cards
- Provide access to necessary healthcare in public facilities on the same terms as locals.
- Do not usually cover private clinics, medical evacuation home or many non-emergency services.
- You still pay the same deductibles and co-payments as residents, which can be substantial in Switzerland.
So even with EHIC/GHIC it is wise to take an additional travel policy that includes repatriation, private care and extra benefits.
Switzerland’s Specifics: Mountains, Sports and Expensive Care
Switzerland is a country of ski resorts and mountains, and these activities significantly increase your risk profile.
Pay attention to:
- Skiing and snowboarding – make sure the policy explicitly covers recreational skiing on marked slopes, not just “leisure travel”.
- Off-piste, freeride, climbing, high-altitude trekking, via ferrata – usually classed as higher-risk activities and may require a separate sports option.
- Mountain rescue and helicopter evacuation – this can be extremely expensive and is not always included by default.
- High medical costs in general – consultations, tests and hospital stays are all among the priciest in Europe.
If you plan any kind of mountain activity, it is safer to choose a policy that clearly lists sports and rescue coverage.
What Kind of Policy Do You Need for Switzerland?
A practical baseline for most tourists:
- Medical coverage of at least €30,000–50,000 per person (for visas, minimum €30,000; higher is better).
- Mandatory inclusion of medical repatriation and transport home.
- Coverage for both outpatient and inpatient treatment, ideally in public and private facilities.
- Zero or low excess (deductible), for example €10–50.
- Sports coverage if you travel in ski season or plan hiking and other outdoor activities.
- Optional add-ons depending on your trip: trip cancellation, delay, lost luggage, personal liability.
For a more detailed breakdown of policy types and scenarios, see the dedicated guide Insurance for Switzerland.
Prices (Updated: November 2025)
Exact prices vary by age, trip length and coverage, but typical ranges look like this:
- Basic Schengen-compliant policy for 7–10 days
Usually around €15–40 per person for standard coverage without high-risk sports. - Policy with extended coverage and sports
For active trips (skiing, snowboarding, hiking), expect around €30–60+ per person for 7–10 days. - Annual multi-trip policy for Europe
Commonly in the €60–200 per-year range per person, which is cost-effective if you visit Switzerland and nearby countries several times a year. - Potential out-of-pocket costs without insurance
Even a relatively minor emergency visit with tests can easily reach hundreds or thousands of Swiss francs, and mountain helicopter rescue will be significantly more.
In short: a reasonable premium can protect you from very painful medical bills in Switzerland.
Recommended Insurance for Switzerland
For Switzerland it is convenient to use a specialised travel-insurance provider that already understands Schengen requirements and mountain risks.
A practical choice is to arrange your policy through EKTA:
- the provider focuses on travel insurance that meets Schengen visa rules;
- you can select coverage starting from €30,000 and higher;
- the system allows you to tailor coverage to your trip length and needs;
- everything is arranged online, and the policy is emailed to you, suitable for visa applications.
When buying:
- set the destination as “Switzerland / Schengen”;
- make sure the coverage dates fully include your stay in the Schengen Area, ideally with a one-day buffer;
- add winter sports or mountain activities if you plan them;
- check that emergency hospitalisation and medical repatriation are explicitly included.
For more examples and scenario-based recommendations, see the detailed insurance guide Insurance for Switzerland.
Tips
- Buy insurance before or together with flights and accommodation if you need a visa – it is part of the core document set.
- Keep both digital and printed copies of your policy; a paper copy is handy at ski resorts.
- Read the small print: winter sports, off-piste skiing or high-altitude hiking may require separate add-ons.
- Store emergency contact numbers for your insurer in your phone and on paper.
- For families, check family policies – they are often cheaper than several single policies.
- If you travel to Switzerland and Europe several times a year, consider an annual multi-trip plan.
- If you have chronic conditions, check how they are treated by the insurer and whether you need to declare them.
FAQ
Do I need insurance for Switzerland if I can enter visa-free?
Legally, not always – but practically, yes. Given the high cost of healthcare, travelling without any insurance is risky. A basic travel medical policy is a sensible minimum.
What is the minimum coverage for a Schengen visa?
At least €30,000 per person for the entire stay in the Schengen Area. In practice, €50,000 or more is advisable, as the extra limit usually costs only a little more.
Is insurance for Switzerland only enough if it covers Switzerland but not other countries?
If you visit several Schengen countries, choose “Schengen Area” or “Europe including Switzerland” as your region. That way you are covered throughout your itinerary.
Is EHIC/GHIC enough for a trip to Switzerland?
No. These cards can help you access medically necessary public healthcare, but they do not cover private clinics, repatriation or many additional costs. They are useful, but you should still have separate travel insurance.
Do I need a special policy for skiing and snowboarding?
In many cases yes. Basic policies may exclude winter sports or only cover them up to certain limits. Always check for “winter sports”, “skiing”, “snowboarding” or similar wording and add a sports package if needed.
Can I buy travel insurance after arriving in Switzerland?
Some insurers allow this, but many do not cover trips that have already started. To avoid gaps or refusals, buy your policy before departure.
How long can each trip be under an annual multi-trip policy?
Most annual plans limit the duration of each trip (for example, up to 30 or 60 days). Make sure your planned stay in Switzerland fits within that limit.
Recommended Services
- eSIM → Airalo / Ubigi / Yesim / Esim4travel
- VPN → NordVPN / Proton VPN / Surfshark
- Tours → Get Your Guide / Viator
- Transfers → Kiwitaxi / Welcome Pickups
- Car rental → Economybookings
- Hotels → Trip.com
- Insurance → EKTA
Summary
For Switzerland, travel insurance is not just another line in the budget – it is a key part of trip planning. If you need a Schengen visa, it is mandatory; if you are visa-exempt, it is still highly recommended due to the cost of Swiss healthcare and the popularity of higher-risk mountain activities.
Choosing a solid policy with sufficient medical limits, sports coverage and medical repatriation, and arranging it through a reliable provider, gives you peace of mind and protects your wallet if something goes wrong during your stay in Switzerland.