Opening a medical practice in Switzerland gives you autonomy, control over your work environment, and the freedom to deliver care on your terms.
To succeed, you’ll need a very practical, and yes, administrative approach: cantonal permits, legal framework, financing, day-to-day operations, and a solid digital presence. This 7-step guide is designed to help you open your independent medical practice anywhere in Switzerland.
1. Secure practising and opening permits
Start by checking regulatory prerequisites: Switzerland’s system is strict to guarantee quality and patient safety.
- Recognition of qualifications: have your diplomas validated by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH/BAG/UFSP). For foreign diplomas, equivalences or additional exams may be required.
- Registration in MedReg (Medical Professions Register).
- Cantonal licence: each canton has its own rules for outpatient practice. Check local requirements (dossier, timelines, possible quotas, and language requirements in DE/FR/IT).
- Mandatory insurance: at minimum professional liability (RC). Complement as needed (loss of income, legal protection).
- Extracts & attestations: criminal record, proof of experience, and proof of the canton’s language proficiency where required.
2. Choose a strategic location for your needs
Your address directly impacts patient flow, costs, and visibility. A large city offers reach but often higher rents and more competition.
- Accessibility: proximity to public transport, parking, step-free access. Ensure clear, visible signage.
- Care ecosystem: nearby hospitals, medical centres, or other practices can ease collaboration and referrals.
- Demographics & competition: choose an area where your specialty meets real demand (families, ageing population, rural areas).
- Lease & standards: review specific clauses (medical activity, hours, noise) and applicable standards (hygiene, radiation protection where relevant, medical waste storage).
3. Define the legal setup & data protection
Setting up your practice involves several legal considerations to protect you and your patients.
- Legal form: choose between sole proprietorship, Sàrl/GmbH or SA/AG. A sole proprietorship is simpler to start; a Sàrl/GmbH or SA/AG offers stronger protection for personal assets.
- Contracts: lease, employment contracts, service providers (lab, cleaning, medical-waste disposal), and device maintenance.
- Data protection (nFADP): implement concrete measures:
- Secure medical software and electronic health record (encryption, access control, audit logs).
- Internal procedures (confidentiality, role-based access).
- Compliant vendors and secure hosting for health data.
4. Set up practice operations
Next, equip your practice and hire your team. Key considerations:
- Medical equipment: invest according to your specialty (e.g., dermatology lasers, diagnostics, sterilisation). If purchase costs are high, consider leasing.
- Practice management software: use modern tools for scheduling, medical billing, and records. OneDoc offers integrated platforms so patients can book online and access telemedicine, reducing your admin load.
- Qualified staff: hire experienced medical assistants, nurses, and admin staff for reception, records, and daily operations. Provide training on your protocols and software.
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5. Build a robust financial plan
A solid financial plan is critical from day one. Your business plan should include:
- Upfront investments (Capex): fit-out, equipment, IT, software, legal/accounting fees. Depending on the specialty, medical equipment can range from CHF 20,000 to CHF 100,000+.
- Recurring costs (Opex): rent/charges, salaries, insurance, consumables, external services (cleaning, hazardous medical waste, maintenance), telecom/IT.
- Revenue: build on a target schedule (utilisation rate, mix of procedures, tariffs) and model multiple scenarios (conservative, base, ambitious).
- Cash: plan 6–12 months of working capital, expected payment delays, and a continuity plan.
- Break-even: calculate monthly consults needed to cover fixed costs.
For a deeper dive, see our dedicated guide: business plan for opening your medical practice.
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6. Grow your digital presence & patient acquisition
Effective marketing is essential to attract patients in Switzerland’s competitive healthcare landscape—make your services easy to find and easy to book.
- Website: present your services, team, availability, and location. Optimise for mobile and local SEO (postcode, municipality, specialty). If you use Wix or WordPress, add an online-booking widget.
- Google Business Profile: create your profile to improve local search visibility—many patients search nearby first.
- Booking platforms: make access simple with 24/7 online booking; you’ll reduce calls and cut no-shows.
- Right social channels: choose those that fit your practice—LinkedIn (professional), Instagram/TikTok (education, behind-the-scenes)—always respecting ethics and confidentiality.
7. Ensure ongoing compliance & CME
After opening, keep your compliance and skills up to date.
- Checks & audits: maintain logs (hygiene, sterilisation, safety), contracts, and procedures.
- Continuing education (FMC/CME): plan your accredited courses, workshops, and conferences.
- Continuous improvement: measure patient satisfaction and act on feedback.
Open a medical practice in Switzerland
Opening an independent medical practice in Switzerland is demanding but rewarding. By following these steps, from permits to your digital presence, you lay solid foundations for growth. We look forward to seeing you succeed and supporting your first steps in this exciting project!
