Four orientation points
The country changes the process
The FOPH distinguishes the EU/EFTA or UK from other states. Benefits, cost-sharing and procedures are not the same.
The EHIC has a defined role
It facilitates medically necessary treatment under local rules in relevant countries but is not a promise to pay every cost or arrange repatriation.
Illness and accident may follow different channels
Depending on work status and policies, accident, health or supplementary insurers may require different notifications.
Organisation may require agreement
When medically safe, contact assistance before an organised transfer or return, without delaying life-saving treatment.
Practical steps during the event
Adapt these steps to local medical and emergency instructions.
Obtain urgent help
Call local emergency services or seek appropriate care; do not wait for administrative permission in immediate danger.
Identify coverage
Present the relevant card and contact health, accident or assistance services using the policy details.
Document proportionately
Keep medical reports, prescriptions, invoices, payment records and useful exchanges while protecting unnecessary health data.
Coordinate next steps
Clarify who organises transfer, return or follow-up in Switzerland and obtain important decisions in writing where possible.
Safety and restraint
- This content gives no diagnosis, treatment choice, fitness-to-travel or repatriation decision.
- The FDFA and Swiss representations provide consular support within their mandate but do not replace rescue services or insurance.
- Payment depends on country, system, facts and policy; it is not guaranteed here.
Future cover only
Prepare future trips
A new policy does not change the cover that applies to an event that has already happened and does not guarantee reimbursement. It is only for preparing future trips.
Checked Swiss federal sources
Each source language is stated. The FDFA, FOPH and FOCA publish authority information; Fedlex contains federal law. The detailed FOCA baggage source falls back to French because no equivalent English detail page was available when checked. The English Fedlex text is a reference translation; the German, French and Italian legal texts and the applicable policy control.
- FDFA — Travelling abroad – travel advice and country informationEnglish · Trip preparation, country travel advice, security, representation contacts and the FDFA’s general travel information.↗
- FDFA — Travel Admin – the FDFA travel appEnglish · Voluntary trip registration, advice, crisis notifications, Swiss representations and local emergency numbers; the app is not insurance.↗
- FOPH — Health insurance: tourists abroad and globetrottersEnglish · Differences between stays in the EU/EFTA or UK and other countries, the European Health Insurance Card and limits of compulsory health insurance.↗
- Fedlex — Federal Act on Insurance Contracts (ICA, SR 221.229.1)English reference translation · Reference translation covering pre-contract information, policy content, notification duties and claim handling; the German, French and Italian legal texts are authoritative.↗