< Back Are there any vaccinations I should get or other health precautions to take as I prepare for my move to your city? Before I get sick, what should I know about seeking medical care in your city as an expat? What is the word for "doctor" in the local language? What is the best way to locate a suitable health care provider? Do expats in the area tend to leave the city/area/country to seek medical care? If so, why and where do they go? What is the number to call to summon help in an emergency? List medical/fire/police. What do I do if there's an emergency in the middle of the night—or at another time when my normal doctor/clinic is unavailable? How will I recognize a pharmacy? What is it called in the local language? Is the water safe to drink? Are there any vaccinations I should get or other health precautions to take as I prepare for my move to your city? No vaccinations are required to enter Switzerland, but it is recommended that all travelers coming into the country be up-to-date on tetanus-diphtheria, measles-mumps-rubella, polio and varicella immunizations (hepatitis B, chickenpox, meningococcal, pneumococci). It is important to bring any medical certificates/records from your home country. Check any other specific vaccination requirements carefully with your local Switzerland consulate or embassy to confirm medical requirements. ↑ Top Before I get sick, what should I know about seeking medical care in your city as an expat? Swiss medical facilities and healthcare are among the best in the world and are of a very high standard. However, healthcare is expensive and having insurance prior to arrival is recommended. If you are staying for more than three months, private health insurance is obligatory. For more information on local providers contact Crown Zurich. You can also contact the insurance broker Travex (flyer is enclosed in the Welcome Pack) directly for immediate assistance. ↑ Top What is the word for "doctor" in the local language? Doctor: Arzt oder Doktor Dentist: Zahnarzt ↑ Top What is the best way to locate a suitable health care provider? If you are searching online, select your city and then search for “Aerzte” in the phone book under "Arzt" for a list of doctors; check for dentists under "Zahnarzt." It is also good to ask your colleagues for some good tips. Your relocation consultant can provide you some addresses, depending where you live. Universitätsspital Zürich Rämistrasse 100 8091 Zürich Tel. 0041 – (0)44 255 11 11 Kinderspital Zürich (Children‘s Hospital) Steinwiesstrasse 75 8032 Zürich Tel. 0041 – (0)44 266 71 11 Triemli Hospital (Stadtspital Triemli) Birmensdorferstrasse 497 8063 Zürich Tel. 0041 – (0)44 466 11 11 Klinik Hirslanden AG Witellikerstrasse 40 8032 Zürich Tel. 0041 – (0)44 387 21 11 Poison Center (Toczentrum) Tel. 0041 – (0)44 251 51 51 24-hour Pharmacies Bellevue Apotheke Theaterstrasse 14 Zürich Tel. 0041 – (0)44 266 62 22 SOS Dentist Available 365 days a year (in the same building as the Bellevue pharmacy) Tel. 0041 – (0)44 262 11 11 ↑ Top Do expats in the area tend to leave the city/area/country to seek medical care? If so, why and where do they go? Considering that Switzerland's medical care is some of the best in the world, this is not necessary. More often, people come from other countries to take advantage of the excellent medical care here. ↑ Top What is the number to call to summon help in an emergency? List medical/fire/police. Police: 117 Fire: 118 Ambulance: 144 Helicopter (Rega): 1414 Helicopter (Air Glacier): 1415 Poisoning: 145 Road help: 140 Help for children and young people: 147 Emergency veterinary services: 044 635 81 11 Emergency Center Zurich - 24-hour referral service with English-speaking operators; provides medical advice and house calls 24 hours a day: 044 421 21 21 ↑ Top What do I do if there's an emergency in the middle of the night—or at another time when my normal doctor/clinic is unavailable? In case of an emergency, who you call will depend on the type of emergency. All emergency numbers are listed on the first page of your telephone book. If in doubt, call the police (117), who will advise accordingly. Major cities also provide an Emergency Medical Service (Ärztlicher Notfalldienst) where you can call the operator (1811) who has a list of all doctors, dentists, vets and pharmacies on call 24 hours a day. ↑ Top How will I recognize a pharmacy? What is it called in the local language? Pharmacies (called apotheke in German) are recognized by the big green neon cross flashing above the entrance. ↑ Top Is the water safe to drink? Yes, the water is very safe to drink. ↑ Top IMPORTANT NOTE: Crown Relocations has made every effort to present accurate information. However, regulations, rates and other variables are subject to change and Crown Relocations cannot accept responsibility for the errors that might result. Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact your local Crown representative.