Three distinct situations
Care in the country of residence
Under applicable coordination rules, the Swiss insurer issues S1 for registration with the residence-country institution.
Care in Switzerland
Swiss cost-sharing rules apply to Swiss-insured people receiving treatment in Switzerland.
Temporary stay elsewhere
EHIC is used for medically necessary care during a temporary stay in another covered EU/EFTA/UK state.
Which document for which need?
Ask the insurer how to present documents and invoices.
Care where you live
Register S1 with the local institution and follow its procedures.
Care in Switzerland
Use Swiss insurance details; Swiss deductible and co-payment may apply.
Temporary travel
Use EHIC for medically necessary care under local conditions.
Specific planned treatment
Request written guidance before treatment if authorisation or reimbursement is unclear.
Important boundaries
- Cost sharing paid abroad is not credited to the Swiss deductible or co-payment.
- EHIC does not replace S1 for lasting registration in the country of residence.
- Reimbursement depends on location, type of care and formalities; this page makes no coverage promise.
Verified official sources
Each link states its original language. This content relies only on FOPH, Priminfo and the cited cantonal authority; some official annexes are available only in German, French or Italian.
- OFSP — Co-payment for persons insured in SwitzerlandEnglish · Rules by country of treatment, S1 form and European Health Insurance Card.↗
- OFSP — Treatment abroad for policyholders resident abroadEnglish · Access to treatment in the country of residence and during temporary stays.↗
- OFSP — Health insurance: cross-border commuters working in SwitzerlandEnglish · Place-of-work rule, deadline, option right, France procedure and international cases.↗