Compare travel insurance for Switzerland from £3.73^
Key takeaways
The average cost of travel insurance for Switzerland is £17.91
^ It can protect you if you have medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and more
You usually need to take out extra cover if you're going skiing or hiking
Do I need travel insurance for Switzerland?
Holiday insurance is not a legal requirement. But without it you will be personally responsible for paying all the costs if something goes wrong with your trip.
Travel insurance can financially protect you if your holiday to Switzerland is unexpectedly cancelled, you need medical treatment while travelling, or your valuables are lost or stolen.
According to 2025 data from the Association of British Insurers:
British residents had to make 500,000+
^ claims on their travel insurance in 2025The most common reason for claiming was to cover unexpected medical expenses, with an average insurance payout of £1,528
^ In contrast, you can find travel insurance to Switzerland from just £1.79
^
Switzerland hosts major events throughout the year, including Basel Carnival in February, the Montreux Jazz Festival in July and Alpine Ski World Cup races during winter.
If you’re travelling during busy events or taking part in winter sports, travel insurance can help cover delays, cancellations or medical emergencies.
Switzerland travel advice
Still current at: 19 Jun 2026
Switzerland follows Schengen area rules, allowing visa-free travel for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; ensure your passport is valid for at least 3 months beyond your stay and issued less than 10 years ago. Be aware of potential delays at the French-Swiss border around June 15-17, 2026, due to the G7 Summit, and avoid protests in Geneva during mid-June. For active holidays, ensure your travel insurance covers specific activities like mountain rescue and helicopter costs, and always check local conditions and weather forecasts, especially in alpine regions where altitude sickness and avalanches are risks.
Switzerland follows Schengen area rules, allowing visa-free travel for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; ensure your passport is valid for at least 3 months beyond your stay and issued less than 10 years ago. Be aware of potential delays at the French-Swiss border around June 15-17, 2026, due to the G7 Summit, and avoid protests in Geneva during mid-June. For active holidays, ensure your travel insurance covers specific activities like mountain rescue and helicopter costs, and always check local conditions and weather forecasts, especially in alpine regions where altitude sickness and avalanches are risks.
This is an AI-generated summary of UK government travel advice. Check the FCDO website for complete information.
What type of travel insurance do I need for Switzerland?
Switzerland is typically covered under European travel insurance policies.
The specific type of policy you need depends on your travel plans:
One trip to Switzerland only
If you are only visiting Switzerland, choose single-trip travel insurance and select Switzerland as your destination.
One trip to Switzerland and other countries
Combining a holiday in Switzerland with visits to other countries, perhaps on an interrailing trip?
Single-trip travel insurance can cover multiple countries as long as:
You don't head home in-between countries. For that you need multi-trip insurance
You are not away for a long time (policy dependent, but usually a month). For that you need backpackers’ insurance
If you're heading outside Europe you will need to select worldwide cover.
Several holidays throughout the year
You might save money by selecting an annual multi-trip travel insurance policy.
Travelling with a medical condition
You can get travel insurance with a pre-existing medical condition, but it may be more expensive than a standard policy.
How much is travel insurance for Switzerland?
The average cost of travel insurance for a single trip to Switzerland is£7.46
Traveller(s) | 7 day trip | 14 day trip |
|---|---|---|
Individual | £13.87 | £13.42 |
Couple | £27.65 | N/A |
Family | £22.58 | £35.97 |
Group | £33.15 | N/A |
The figures in this table are the averages of the costs paid by MoneySuperMarket customers over the last three months.
Can I get last minute travel insurance for Switzerland?
Yes, it is possible to get last-minute travel insurance up to the day of your departure, although not all insurance providers will offer this.
You can buy last minute travel insurance through MoneySuperMarket.
Is it cheaper to buy travel insurance closer to my departure date?
No, it is usually more expensive to buy travel insurance last-minute.
If possible you should buy your holiday insurance as soon as you book your trip. That way you'll be covered if you have to cancel your holiday.
What should my travel insurance policy for Switzerland include?
Standard travel insurance will usually cover:
Illness and accidents
Trip and activity cancellations
Lost luggage (including your passport)
Theft including pickpocketing
Repatriation (bringing you home if you are seriously injured, ill or dead)
Personal liability (you are responsible for accidentally harming someone or their property
🚩Different travel insurance policies have different inclusions and exclusions. You should always read your documents and check what you're covered for.
What isn't covered by travel insurance to Switzerland?
Typical exclusions include:
Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions
'Unforeseeable' disasters including terrorism, war, strikes and natural disasters
Alcohol and drug-related incidents
Travel to areas advised against by the government (found on the FCDO website)
Adventure or winter sports
💡 Top tip: You can upgrade your insurance to include add-ons like winter sports, gadget cover and travel disruption cover.
Medical care in Switzerland
British citizens can get some necessary state healthcare in Switzerland for free with a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
However, the UK government and the NHS advise that Britons with GHICs still take out comprehensive travel insurance when they visit Switzerland, as the health insurance cards do not cover all medical situations and costs.
Will my EHIC/GHIC cover me in Switzerland?
Yes, you can still use Global Health Insurance Cards (GHIC) or unexpired European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) to get some free healthcare in Switzerland.
GHICs are replacing EHICs, which will be phased out as they expire. UK residents can get a GHIC for free from the NHS website. The cards are valid for up to 5 years.
Can I get travel insurance for Switzerland if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
Yes, you can get travel insurance cover with a pre-existing medical condition, but it may be more expensive than a standard policy.
A pre-existing condition is any medical issue for which you had symptoms, medication, medical advice, treatment, or tests before you took out your insurance policy. It includes mental health conditions and disabilities.
You must disclose all pre-existing medical conditions. If you don't, your insurer can refuse to pay out for a claim.
You can buy medical travel insurance through MoneySuperMarket.
Do I need a visa to visit Switzerland?
No, if you are a UK passport holder you do not need a visa to enter Switzerand as long as:
Your visit will not mean you have spent more than 90 days in the Schengen area within a 180-day period
The purpose of your visit is a holiday or to visit friends and family
The purpose of your visit is for certain types of work or study purposes, such as to attend a business meeting
Rules for visiting Europe have changed post-Brexit. If you overstay your 90-day visa-free limit you can be banned from entering any Schengen country for three years.
🚩 Visa requirements for a country can change. For the most up-to-date information, check the UK government’s foreign travel advice website.
Do I need vaccinations to visit Switzerland?
The NHS Fit for Travel website recommends that your regular vaccinations are up to date before you travel to Switzerland, including your flu and Covid-19 vaccines if you are eligible for these.
Tetanus and Tick-borne Encephalitis are additional vaccines that some visitors to Switzerland may wish to have.
🚩 Vaccination recommendations may be different for individuals with specific health conditions. We recommend speaking to your doctor before travelling.
What travel insurance do I need for skiing in Switzerland?
You need to have winter sports cover. Skiing and snowboarding are not usually covered under standard travel insurance policies.
The average price our customers currently pay for insurance with winter cover is £39.41
You may be able to add winter sports cover to your existing travel insurance for a fee. Travel insurers will also often bundle together winter sports cover and adventure sports cover.
What travel insurance do I need for hiking in Switzerland?
You may need to have adventure sports cover. Standard travel insurance policies often will not cover hiking above a certain height or in riskier locations. If your hiking trip involves mountaineering, using climbing equipment or going on via ferratas you'll almost certainty need extra cover.
How do I claim on my travel insurance?
Report the incident you want to claim for to your insurer as soon as possible
If something is stolen, report it to the local police within 24 hours and get a report
Keep records of what has happened, including photos or videos and the contact details of anyone involved
➡️ Learn more: How to make a claim on your travel insurance.
Where can I get cheap travel insurance for Switzerland?
With MoneySuperMarket you can compare quotes from up to 42 different travel insurers, helping you find the best price for the level of cover you want.
Plus, we offer our travel insurance customers rewards! Get a voucher worth up to £5
Just sign up to our free SuperSaveClub
💡 Top tip: Looking for travel insurance for another destination? Check out our travel insurance destination guide hub.
Author
Rebecca Goodman
Personal Finance & Insurance Expert
Rebecca is an award-winning financial journalist with over a decade of experience writing for print and online media. Her mission is to take the jargon out of personal finance and to help everyone...
Reviewer
Collette Shackleton
Content Writer
Collette Shackleton is a highly skilled Content Writer who has over nine years’ experience creating helpful and engaging personal finance content for consumers. Collette shares her experience as a...
