PrEP in Switzerland: how to get it, the medical follow-up, and what it costs

PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis: a medication that protects HIV-negative people from acquiring HIV. It is taken preventively, before a possible exposure, so that the active ingredient is already present where HIV would otherwise enter the body through the mucous membranes. Used correctly, it is highly effective at preventing HIV transmission. One thing needs to be clear from the start: PrEP protects only against HIV, not against other sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, gonorrhoea or chlamydia. That is precisely why regular testing is not an add-on but a built-in part of the approach.

In Switzerland, access is organised through the national SwissPrEPared programme. It links Checkpoints in the larger cities, hospitals and specialised practices into a single network with shared standards for counselling, testing and follow-up. In principle, anyone over 16 and HIV-negative can take part. The centres list on the official site helps people find the nearest contact point — including outside Zurich, Geneva and Basel — and, depending on location, counselling is available in German, French, Italian or English.

PrEP does not come in only one form. Two dosing schedules are common: a daily tablet, and an on-demand or event-based regimen taken around specific sexual encounters. Which option fits depends on your individual situation, how often you have sex, and personal preference — this is worked out together with the professional during counselling. PrEP is prescribed by a healthcare professional, and the programme recommends professionals who work to the SwissPrEPared criteria.

Medical follow-up is the core of the model, not a formality. Before starting, there is an HIV test, testing for other sexually transmitted infections, and bloodwork; only then is PrEP begun. People on daily PrEP then typically return for a check-up roughly every three months. These visits repeat the HIV and STI testing and monitor kidney function, since the medication can put strain on the kidneys. This rhythm makes sure any infection is caught early and that PrEP stays safe for the individual.

Cost is where the most has changed in recent years. Taken daily, the total cost — medication, medical services and lab analyses combined — comes to roughly CHF 2,000 to CHF 2,500 per year if you pay for it yourself. For a long time, users largely did pay that amount out of pocket, often relying on affordable generics. That was a real financial barrier and one reason not everyone who would benefit actually had access.

The decisive shift came on 1 July 2024: since then, compulsory basic insurance (KVG/LAMal) covers the cost of HIV PrEP — but only under certain conditions. Coverage applies to clearly defined higher-risk groups, for example men (cis and trans) and trans women who have sex with men and meet at least one specific criterion (such as condomless anal sex, an STI diagnosis in the past twelve months, recent use of PEP, or substance use during sex), as well as other situations with a demonstrably increased risk. People who fall outside these groups, or who prefer to obtain PrEP without involving their insurer, can still pay for it themselves.

The route matters here. Only providers that are affiliated with SwissPrEPared and authorised as service providers can bill PrEP through basic insurance. So anyone who wants the cost covered should obtain PrEP through such a provider, not through some unrelated online channel. And «covered» does not mean «free»: as with any basic-insurance benefit, your chosen deductible (between CHF 300 and CHF 2,500 per year) applies first, followed by the 10% co-payment, capped at a maximum of CHF 700 per year. Part of the cost therefore still falls on the individual; some centres additionally offer support for people on lower incomes.

This coverage is not yet set in stone. It applies on a time-limited basis as part of an evaluation running until December 2026, which assesses whether covering HIV PrEP is effective, appropriate and economical. On that basis the federal authorities will decide whether PrEP is added permanently to the list of benefits paid by basic insurance. This is exactly why the detailed conditions can change, and why it is worth checking the criteria that currently apply directly with a SwissPrEPared centre or your health insurer before you start.

For Queer Switzerland, PrEP is an ongoing topic with concrete local relevance: which city has visible services, where is the nearest contact point, and how do you reach reliable, official information quickly? You can find the current status on centres, conditions and cost coverage directly at SwissPrEPared (swissprepared.ch). This article gives general information and does not replace medical advice — your individual suitability, the right dosing schedule and the cost question are best clarified in person with a professional or a Checkpoint near you.