Healthcare in Geneva
Both expats and locals alike are typically satisfied with the standard of healthcare in Geneva. However, expats should prepare to pay high health insurance costs (the average annual expenditure in Geneva was above 5,000 CHF in 2010).
In Switzerland, health insurance is compulsory, but there is no state-sponsored or employer-sponsored option. All health insurance is, therefore, private and for an expat's own account.
Monthly health insurance premiums in Geneva are not based on salary, but rather on geographic area. Thus, even those without an exceptional wage will still be expected to finance a hefty health insurance bill. The canton does have subsidies in place for those who need it, and the cost of health insurance for kids and teens is greatly discounted.
Expats will want to carefully compare different plans from different service providers to find something that suits their price range and needs.
Geneva’s hospitals and dental practitioners are excellent, particularly the large public university hospital, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève (HUG).
Most doctors speak English.
Pharmacies are open from 8.30am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday, although select pharmacies are open 24 hours. The pharmaGeneve web site details which pharmacies are open late.
There are nearly 2,000 doctors in private practice in Geneva, listed on the Association des Medecins du canton de Genève web site, and waiting periods are generally kept to a minimum.
The number for emergencies is 144; for poisoning dial 145; and dial 147 for the helpline for children and young people.
Hopitaux Universitaires de Genève (HUG)
4, rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil
Tel: 022 372 3311.
Clinique Générale Beaulieu
Chemin Beau-Soleil 20
Tel: 022 839 5555
Hopital de la Tour
JD Maillard 3 Av
Tel: 022 719 6111
In Switzerland, health insurance is compulsory, but there is no state-sponsored or employer-sponsored option. All health insurance is, therefore, private and for an expat's own account.Monthly health insurance premiums in Geneva are not based on salary, but rather on geographic area. Thus, even those without an exceptional wage will still be expected to finance a hefty health insurance bill. The canton does have subsidies in place for those who need it, and the cost of health insurance for kids and teens is greatly discounted.
Expats will want to carefully compare different plans from different service providers to find something that suits their price range and needs.
Geneva’s hospitals and dental practitioners are excellent, particularly the large public university hospital, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève (HUG).
Most doctors speak English.
Pharmacies are open from 8.30am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday, although select pharmacies are open 24 hours. The pharmaGeneve web site details which pharmacies are open late.
There are nearly 2,000 doctors in private practice in Geneva, listed on the Association des Medecins du canton de Genève web site, and waiting periods are generally kept to a minimum.
The number for emergencies is 144; for poisoning dial 145; and dial 147 for the helpline for children and young people.
Hospitals in Geneva
Hopitaux Universitaires de Genève (HUG)
4, rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil
Tel: 022 372 3311.
Clinique Générale Beaulieu
Chemin Beau-Soleil 20
Tel: 022 839 5555
Hopital de la Tour
JD Maillard 3 Av
Tel: 022 719 6111
