Rega patrons: benefits and cost of membership
Rega patronage is no substitute for insurance. This means that reimbursement is not guaranteed in an emergency. What are the benefits of Rega patronage? Comparis explains what you need to know.
06.04.2023
iStock/Michael Derrer Fuchs
1. Will Rega pay the cost of my rescue?
A Rega mission costs thousands of francs. As a patron, however, you are protected from this – or are you? Contrary to popular belief, it is not Rega that pays for rescue costs in the first place, but rather basic insurance or accident insurance.
In most cases, your health or accident insurance covers all or part of the costs. The criteria for covering costs are the same as those for sending out an ambulance.
Payments made by Rega come into question only for non-covered costs. It can pay its patrons’ remaining costs. However, there is no legal entitlement to this. This is seen in the Conditions of Patronage.
Supplemental insurance for air rescue
With outpatient insurance, you can close insurance gaps with regard to air rescue. Compare options using the insurance comparison tool by selecting “Search, rescue and transport”.
2. Do I have advantages as a Rega patron?
Rega is a non-profit foundation and receives no subsidies from the public sector. The Rega patronage contribution is a type of voluntary support for maintaining air rescue in Switzerland and abroad. Benefactors tend to contribute because they believe this is a worthy cause.
As a patron, you can also hope to have any costs that are not otherwise covered paid for in an emergency. Rega pays out around 11 million francs annually to those affected.
Good to know
In practice, Rega pays in particular for operations that it organizes itself. From a financial point of view, it may therefore be worthwhile for patrons to call the Rega emergency number (1414) for air rescue (from abroad +41 333 333 333).
Important: if in doubt, always call the official emergency number (144).
3. How much is the Rega patron fee?
The annual costs vary as follows:
| Adults | CHF 40 |
| Children and young people | free of charge |
Source: Rega.ch
4. How do I become a Rega member?
You can become a Rega patron directly on the Rega website.
Note: Rega patronage is not an actual membership. By becoming a patron, you are supporting Rega – and can deduct your donor contribution from your taxable income.
5. What alternatives are there to Rega?
In addition to Rega, helicopter companies such as Air Glaciers (rescue number: 1415, link only available in German or French) or Air Zermatt conduct rescue flights – with a focus on Valais and French-speaking Switzerland. Both companies offer rescue cards and, at their discretion, cover costs not paid by insurance.
In the German-speaking part of Switzerland, the AAA Alpine Air Ambulance (in German only) also carries out air-based rescue. Their partner SOS 144 (in German, French and Italian only) offers a special insurance card for coverage gaps in rescues and recoveries in Switzerland and abroad.
