Sick Georgians cost Switzerland millions in medical asylum claims

Switzerland is facing a significant financial burden due to asylum seekers from Georgia who come to the country primarily for expensive medical treatments. Annually, critically ill Georgians apply for asylum in Switzerland, seeking access to healthcare they cannot obtain in their home country. These individuals often suffer from conditions like cancer, tuberculosis, or severe infections.

As asylum seekers, they are entitled to free healthcare from the first day of their asylum process. The Swiss public sector covers the costs of their insurance premiums, deductibles, and co-payments, which these individuals are typically unable to afford. If an asylum seeker is excluded from mandatory health insurance, the Confederation directly finances their treatment.

Recent data from the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) reveals the extent of these costs. Between 2022 and 2025, 34 asylum seekers each incurred medical expenses exceeding 10,000 Swiss francs. The Confederation collectively paid 3 million francs for their treatments, averaging 90,000 francs per person. In one extreme case in 2022, the authorities spent 1.4 million francs on a single patient's treatment, the specific ailment of whom was not disclosed due to data protection reasons.

Notably, all 34 individuals with high medical costs originated from Georgia. This pattern has prompted calls from politicians to make it more difficult for Georgians to enter Switzerland, aiming to reduce the financial strain on the Swiss healthcare system.