If you live abroad, do you have the right to seek treatment from a doctor or hospital in Switzerland?
Switzerland’s has excellent healthcare, which compares favourably with most health systems in other countries.
READ ALSO: Just how good is Switzerland’s healthcare system?
In some cases, it has also been known to offer last-resort treatments that are not available in other countries, as was the case with the late Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who travelled to Switzerland in 2009 for a specialised cancer treatment.
But is Swiss medical care also accessible for ‘regular’ foreigners who don’t have Jobs’ wealth? In other words, could you, for instance, bring your family members from abroad to Switzerland for medical care?
The answer to this question is not an unequivocal ‘yes’ or ‘no.’
That’s because a number of conditions need to be fulfilled before a foreigner can seek healthcare in Switzerland. And many of them depend on the person’s passport.
EU and EFTA
If you (or family members you want to bring to Switzerland) live in the European Union or Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein (EFFA), it will be simpler to avail themselves of health services here.
For the first three months, EU/EFTA citizens don’t need a Swiss residency permit, and are free to come here and to consult any medical professional.
However, if you plan to do so, make sure you can pay for this service.
Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will cover you, free of charge, for medical emergencies — just as a Swiss tourists would be within the European Union / EFTA. This also applies to non-EU citizens who are resident in EU countries and are registered in the local healthcare system.
(Keep in mind though that Switzerland has very specific rules about what constitutes a true medical emergency).
The EHIC will also cover you if you need to seek treatment in Switzerland for medical conditions that require immediate attention but are not life-threatening — for instance, if you come down with an illness which requires a prescription for medications that can’t be postponed until you return to your country.
If, however, you are seeking a consultation or a medical treatment that doesn’t fall under these two categories, you will have to come up with money in one of two ways: either pay out of your own pocket or try to get your country’s health insurance scheme to authorise this expense (again, if it is not an emergency or urgent care situation).
That’s because, unlike elsewhere in Europe, Switzerland has a private healthcare system.
READ ALSO: How is Swiss healthcare system different from the rest of Europe?
Getting prior authorisation is especially necessary if at least a one-night hospital stay is involved, or the use of highly specialised and costly medical equipment or facilities is required.
Under the first scenario, you must provide the Swiss doctor or hospital verifiable proof that your treatment will be paid for by your country’s insurance. But (probably more likely), you will have to leave a deposit and your credit card number before the treatment can commence.
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Non-EU / EFTA citizens
If you are a national of a third country, the process of getting a permission to be treated in Switzerland is more complicated but not impossible.
If you are going to stay in the country for less than three months, all you will have to do is make arrangements with the doctor or hospital relating to payment.
But a for stay exceeding 90 days, you will need to fill out the Schengen ‘C’ visa form, which you will have to submit to a Swiss embassy or consulate in your country of residence for approval.
Aside from typical questions relating to the applicant’s residency and employment status, the person must also submit documents such as:
- Certificate from an officially recognised doctor or hospital in the home country confirming the need for medical treatment in Switzerland and its duration
- Confirmation from the doctor that the treatment will be provided in a healthcare facility in Switzerland, providing its name and address
- Proof of an appointment at the given hospital
- Proof of advance payment
- Proof of accommodation. If the patient will be staying at a hospital during the entire stay, they should provide a confirmation to that effect. If not, either a rental contract or a hotel / Airbnb reservation should be provided
In addition, you should provide proof that you have sufficient financial resources to cover both the cost of your treatment and living expenses while in Switzerland.
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But there could be even more paperwork you need to provide
Some cantons may have additional rules for medical patients from third countries.
For instance, Zurich requires, in addition to the aforementioned documents, a justification as to why the medical treatment should take place specifically in that city or canton.
