Switzerland's major university hospitals are the University Hospital Zurich (USZ), Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), University Hospital Basel, and Bern University Hospital (Inselspital) — all high-quality, cantonally-run public teaching hospitals treating both insured basic-ward and private patients. Alongside these, each canton has regional hospitals, and larger cities also have well-regarded private clinics (e.g. Hirslanden Group clinics) favoured by patients with supplementary insurance for private/semi-private care.
Relocating families should know which cantonal or regional hospital their commune is affiliated to under basic insurance, since basic coverage generally only guarantees free choice of hospital within the canton of residence — treatment at an out-of-canton hospital may involve extra costs unless it's an emergency.
Key Facts
University Hospital Zurich (USZ), Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Bern's Inselspital, and University Hospital Basel are Switzerland's leading university/teaching hospitals.
Basic insurance generally covers hospital treatment in a shared ward at a hospital in the patient's canton of residence (or a hospital on the canton's approved list); out-of-canton non-emergency treatment can incur extra costs.
Hirslanden Group is Switzerland's largest private hospital network, commonly used by patients with supplementary (private/semi-private) insurance.
Emergency care is provided at the nearest appropriate hospital regardless of canton or insurance status, per Swiss law.
Every canton also operates regional/cantonal hospitals outside the major cities, providing standard care closer to smaller communities.
Steps
Identify your canton's approved hospital list — Basic insurance ties standard coverage to hospitals within (or on the approved list of) your canton of residence.
Register with a local doctor (Hausarzt/medecin de famille) — Many insurance models require a referral from a family doctor before specialist or hospital treatment for non-emergencies.
Check private clinic access if supplementary insured — Supplementary insurance broadens choice to private clinics like Hirslanden Group facilities.
Required Documents
Basic insurance card
Referral letter (for insurance models requiring one)
Common Mistakes
Assuming free choice of any hospital nationwide under basic insurance — coverage is generally tied to the canton of residence for non-emergency care.
Not registering with a family doctor, which some cost-saving insurance models (HMO/telmed) require before specialist referral.