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The Swiss health care system is of a very high standard, but healthcare costs are expensive. There is no state-run public health service in Switzerland, and no reciprocal arrangements for healthcare with other countries, so health insurance is essential. Although all medical provision is private, it is heavily regulated by government, as is the health insurance system.

All Swiss residents are required to take out basic health insurance within three months of arrival in Switzerland, the cost of which varies between cantons and insurance companies. There is a statutory annual contribution of CHF230 to the cost of outpatient treatment and medicines, payable by all adults. The basic insurance covers examination and treatment by a doctor, the cost of treatment in a general ward of a hospital, and treatments and medicines prescribed by a doctor, with patients usually being required to pay 10% of the expenses. Around 40% of the Swiss population have supplementary private health insurance.

In some cases medical treatment is payable upfront, a bill for payment within 30 days will be issued, to be forwarded to the relevant insurance company. A quick GP consultation is likely to cost around CHF50, with longer consultations or medical procedures being considerably more expensive.

Outpatient medical care is provided mainly by doctors in private practice and the outpatient departments of public hospitals or private clinics. Individuals are free to visit any doctor, and also have direct access to specialists.

There are 24-hour pharmacy facilities throughout the country.

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