Does anyone know if the EHIC card covers healthcare in Switzerland and if so to what level. i.e If i had a crash. It seems its provides access to some healthcare but not sure how much.
Just in case anyone is expecting me to answer this, I am sorry but I just don't know. Switzerland isn't an EU country. Is there a bilateral health care agreement with the EU? I really don't know. I certainly haven't heard of one, but that doesn't mean to say it doesn't exist. The Swiss all have compulsory health insurance, and it covers you when out of the country, so I can't see what the Swiss would have to gain from an EU scheme for reciprocal health care. So my guess is that it doesn't work here as it does in France, say, or Germany. But it's a guess, not knowledge.
is the answer in our very own nhs website? Quick google..... Apply for a free EHIC card - Healthcare abroad - NHS Choices third one down, then "country by country guide, then 'switzerland'..... if anyone knows it will the NHS!!!
It seems they pay for a proportion but not all so need some insurance back up by the looks of it. I asked this question of a mate this morning and his answer was you need something because of they call a helicopter out to rescue you, it will cost a few thousand!
Its pretty much free here for EU citizens (I live between France and Switzerland). I made the mistake of being hospitalised in Thonon les Bains (74) and had to cough up 20% of the bill whereas if I had struggled into Geneva (GE), it would have cost me zero. As it happened I was re-imbursed through my employer in Zurich but I still had to pay on check out!
