1. Step 1: If you find yourself in an acute emergency abroad, you should immediately call the respective country’s emergency number and seek medical assistance.
    
2. Step 2: Report your emergency to your travel insurance provider and health insurance fund as soon as possible. You will then receive immediate assistance with cost clarification and other administrative tasks. At the same time, you will be told which costs are covered and whether any additional evidence is required.
    
3. Step 3: Collect all receipts and invoices locally and request detailed medical reports on your treatment. You will then need to submit these to your relevant insurers.

In the event of illness, compulsory basic insurance covers the costs of treatment abroad, provided that you fall ill unexpectedly and returning to Switzerland is impossible or infeasible. In such cases, it does not matter which basic insurance model you have chosen. In medical emergencies abroad, you do not need to contact your designated first point of contact in advance – you can seek treatment immediately.

However, the costs are not covered if you travel abroad specifically to receive medical treatment or if you use a private clinic.

If you have an accident abroad, your health insurance only covers the treatment costs if you have included accident cover in your basic insurance. Any employee who works more than eight hours a week is insured via their employer against accidents, both in Switzerland and abroad. In such cases, it is important that you inform your employer. They will report the accident to the relevant accident insurer.

The V⁠i⁠s⁠a⁠n⁠a emergency service does not provide any direct medical advice. Our assistance service organises medical aid and repatriation for you, and helps you with any administrative matters.

Call our emergency hotline on +41 848 848 855. If you then give us the details of the incident, your location and insurance number, our assistance service will organise medical aid and repatriation, and help you with any administrative matters.

Important: Collect all relevant receipts, invoices and reports to ensure efficient and complete reporting of the accident or illness.

The following situations constitute acute emergencies:

• An illness or accident occurs suddenly
• Immediate medical care is essential, in order to preserve life, health or vital bodily functions
• A medically necessary procedure is required, as otherwise there would be a risk of serious complications

If you are unsure whether a situation is an emergency, contact our emergency hotline on +41 848 848 855.