Practical Geneva

Practical information for internationals living in Geneva.

Health & Medicine:

Emergencies & doctors

Geneva benefits from numerous medical specialists, “medical hotlines” and private clinics, where health care is of the highest quality.

English is widely spoken in the medical sector and finding an English-speaking doctor in Geneva is not difficult.

The Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) is the largest hospital in Switzerland and the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and the hospitals and clinics of Nyon are all nearby. In addition to providing specialized inpatient and outpatient care, both hospitals are leading medical research centers.

Pharmacies are often conveniently located in all neighbourhoods and can be the first stop for useful advice before a doctor’s appointment.

Health & healthcare networks in Geneva

Presentation from November 2, 2023 by the “Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève (HUG)” and the “Association des Cliniques Privées de Genève”.

Pharmacies sell some common medicines on a self-service basis, but for a number of them you must present a prescription issued by a doctor.

For medical care, if your usual doctor is not available, you can consult one of the six public or private emergency medical centers belonging to the Réseau Urgences Genève (RUG).

Doctor’s offices, dental offices and medical-surgical centers are often less crowded than hospital emergency departments and the prices are the same. In addition, medical clinics offer a wide range of prescription care.

Pediatrics

Home medical visits in Geneva :

Doctors & clinics in the canton of Vaud :

Good to know

InfoMed : InfoMed is a decision-support application for self-assessment of symptoms to determine whether an emergency consultation (adult, pediatric, gyneco-obstetric or ophthalmic) or a call to 144 is necessary.

onedoc : the application for finding a medical specialty and booking an appointment.

planetsanté: a magazine with practical and reliable medical information.

CAGI members

Emergency numbers

Other useful information

Banks & Payments
Health Insurance

CAGI services

To learn about the practical aspects of daily life in Geneva and the region

Founded by the Swiss Confederation and the Republic and Canton of Geneva, the International Geneva Welcome Centre is the single entry point for the support and integration of employees of International Geneva and their families, NGOs and visiting delegates.