Who Holds the Record · country brief · data as of 2026-10-02Who holds the health record in Switzerland?
In 2026, Switzerland scores 54 of 100 on a person's right to see, control and share their own health record: rank 39= of 65 countries, in the Mixed band (45 to 64). Who holds the keys: Shared. Source: Who Holds the Record, SuperTruth, data as of 2026-10-02.
Swiss patients have a free right to their whole record, but the optional e-dossier reached only 136,076 people, so Parliament is building an opt-out replacement.
Published · updated · data as of 2026-10-02 · research tool, not legal advice
Can I get my health records in Switzerland?
Access to the full record scores 55 of 100 in Switzerland, against a median of 62 across 65 countries. The data protection act gives a free copy of the whole record, normally within 30 days, and an official national portal exists. Most people still ask each doctor or hospital, because the portal (the e-dossier, EPD) is optional: only 136,076 were open by end of April 2026.
Can I control who sees my health record in Switzerland?
Control and consent scores 60 of 100 in Switzerland, against a median of 52 across 65 countries. Inside the EPD the patient opens it by explicit consent, picks which professionals see what, can block named providers and reads an access log. Few people hold one, so for most patients control rests on doctors' professional secrecy.
Eight rights, against Cyprus, Romania, Czechia and the EU
| Patient access to the full record20% | 55 | 64 · 60 · 60 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patient control and consent20% | 60 | 46 · 62 · 64 | |
| Privacy and security15% | 60 | 58 · 50 · 56 | |
| Connected care journey15% | 40 | 58 · 60 · 55 | |
| Protection from commercial use10% | 58 | 54 · 56 · 60 | |
| Clinician access at the point of care10% | 38 | 55 · 50 · 52 | |
| Research and trial consent5% | 66 | 45 · 44 · 45 | |
| Clinical AI governance5% | 56 | 50 · 50 · 50 |
Black dot: Switzerland. Hollow dots: Cyprus, Romania, Czechia (scores on the right, same order). Grey line: median of all 65 countries. Dashed teal line: EU median. Overall: Switzerland 54, EU median 61. Scores move in steps of about 5; gaps of 4 or less are ties.
What would Switzerland need to change to score higher?
Switzerland sits in Mixed (45 to 64); Strong starts at 65. The two rights furthest below the 65-country median, weighted, are connected care journey (40, median 62) and clinician access at the point of care (38, median 58). The published rubric reads:
- Connected care journey: Primary care, hospitals, labs, pharmacy, claims and public health linked to one record and used at national scale.
- Clinician access at the point of care: Treating clinicians able to see the full record across providers, under consent and emergency rules.
Which laws give health record rights in Switzerland?
- Bundesgesetz über den Datenschutz (DSG) (2020): In force 1 Sept 2023. Health is sensitive data; free access within 30 days; breach reports; fines to CHF 250,000.
- Bundesgesetz über das elektronische Patientendossier (EPDG) (2015): Opt-in EPD; patient sets access rights, can exclude providers; all access logged; emergency access unless excluded.
- Bundesgesetz über das elektronische Gesundheitsdossier (EGDG), bill (2025): Opt-out E-GD for every resident, central federal system, mandatory outpatient use. Passed National Council September 2026.
Strain and split context, not scored
- Doctors per 10,000
- 45.6 2023 · OECD 9 of 38
- Nurses and midwives per 10,000
- 192 2023 · OECD 1 of 38
- Private insurance + out-of-pocket
- 28.7% 2023 · OECD 9 of 35
- Record reaches private care?
- partial
Compulsory private insurance, counted separately: 41.6% of health spending (2023).
"Für alle anderen ambulant tätigen Gesundheitsfachpersonen sowie für Patientinnen und Patienten ist die Eröffnung des EPD freiwillig."
Published stories
- 2026-07-06 · Swiss Federal Supreme Court (Bundesgericht), 6B_310/2025 Practitioner rebuilt a patient file after the fact, leaving out treatments; conviction upheld
- 2025-09-09 · Swiss Federal Supreme Court (Bundesgericht), 2C_567/2024 Family refused a deceased relative's hospital record; top court upholds secrecy after death
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