Midwifery, a career among the seven LPSan professions
Work as a midwife in Switzerland is the health profession that supports women through pregnancy, birth and the period afterwards. To work in Switzerland, a candidate needs a Swiss bachelor from a university of applied sciences or a recognised foreign diploma, then a cantonal licence for independent practice and a good command of the official language of the canton.
The Federal Act on Health Professions (LPSan), in force since 2020, governs seven professions including midwifery. It sets the skills expected at the end of training, registration in the federal register and the professional duties that apply in every canton.
UAS bachelor in French and German-speaking Switzerland
Initial training is a bachelor from a university of applied sciences (HES), offered notably by HESAV in Lausanne, the Geneva School of Health Sciences, the Bern University of Applied Sciences and ZHAW in Winterthur, with long placements in maternity units and practices.
Midwifery diplomas obtained outside Switzerland
The Swiss Red Cross assesses foreign midwifery diplomas on behalf of the Confederation. It compares the level, length and content of the training and may require compensation measures, such as an adaptation period or an aptitude test.
The cantonal licence for independent practice
A midwife employed by a hospital works under the responsibility of the institution. To care for women at home under her own responsibility, she must obtain a licence from the canton, for example from the cantonal doctor or the public health office.
Hospital maternity units and private clinics
HUG, CHUV, the Inselspital in Bern and the cantonal hospitals of Fribourg and Valais employ many midwives in the delivery room, postpartum care and antenatal clinics. Private clinics in Geneva and Lausanne also recruit for their maternity departments.
Birth centres and home births
Midwife-led birth centres exist in French and German-speaking Switzerland, and some independent midwives assist home births. This work demands solid experience, a cantonal licence and an organised working relationship with a reference hospital in case transfer is needed.
Postpartum care covered by LAMal
Compulsory health insurance (LAMal) covers pregnancy check-ups, childbirth and postnatal visits by a midwife, with no deductible for maternity services. This framework makes home follow-up after the birth a major activity for independent midwives.
Working with doctors and nurses
In the delivery room, the midwife works with gynaecologists, anaesthetists, paediatricians and nursing teams. Professionals in the neighbouring nursing profession in Switzerland often work in the same maternity and neonatal units, with distinct responsibilities.
On-call shifts and part-time work
Maternity units run day and night, weekends included, with shifts organised under the Labour Act and hospital regulations. Part-time work is very widespread in the profession, whether in Geneva, Zurich or St. Gallen, and suits many midwives.
Cross-border midwives from France
Geneva, the canton of Vaud and the Jura Arc employ many midwives living in France under cross-border worker status in Switzerland. The French state diploma must nevertheless be recognised by the Swiss Red Cross before hiring or within the deadline set by the employer.
Speaking the language of the canton and of mothers
The LPSan requires knowledge of one of the canton's official languages for the licence to practise. In Biel or Fribourg, bilingualism is valued, and the diversity of patients makes English, Portuguese, Albanian or Arabic useful assets on the ward.
Professional federation and continuing education
The Swiss Federation of Midwives and its cantonal sections offer continuing education, fee advice for independent midwives and professional networking. The field is part of the health professions in Switzerland facing a shortage of qualified staff.
Steps to become a midwife in Switzerland
- Submit your foreign midwifery diploma to the Swiss Red Cross with your training programme, placement certificates and proof of experience.
- Complete any compensation measures required, either an adaptation period in a Swiss maternity unit or an aptitude test.
- Check your entry in the federal register of health professions, which makes you visible to employers and cantons.
- Prepare a Swiss-style CV with a photo, the number of births attended, units worked in, references and employment certificates.
- Obtain your permit with the employer: B or L for a resident, G for a cross-border worker from France, Italy or Germany.
- To practise independently, apply for the cantonal licence and arrange reimbursement of your services with health insurers.
Midwife salaries and costs in Switzerland
| Item | Amount or benchmark | Factors that vary |
|---|---|---|
| Gross annual hospital salary | Variable, indicative | Cantonal or hospital pay scale, years of experience, night and weekend allowances |
| Independent income | Variable | LAMal service tariffs, number of women followed, travel costs |
| Swiss Red Cross recognition | Fee to be checked | Set according to the file, compensation measures extra |
| Language course and certificate | Varies by school | Level required by the canton or employer, DELF, Goethe or CELI |
| LAMal health insurance | Varies by canton | Compulsory for residents, option available for cross-border workers |
Documents requested from midwives
- Midwifery diploma and Swiss Red Cross recognition decision
- Training programme and placement certificates
- Swiss CV with photo and references
- Employment certificates from previous maternity units
- Language certificate at a sufficient level
- Criminal record extract
- Passport or residence permit
Mistakes midwives should avoid
- Starting work without having applied for recognition from the Swiss Red Cross, even though the profession is regulated by the LPSan.
- Assuming one canton's licence is valid everywhere: each canton issues its own licence for independent practice.
- Neglecting the canton's language, for example applying in Bern or Zurich without enough German for handovers and consultations with patients.
- Sending an incomplete file without a training programme or placement certificates, which greatly delays the recognition procedure.
- Paying an agency that guarantees a job in a Swiss maternity unit in exchange for excessive registration or translation fees.
Midwives' questions about working in Switzerland
Starting out as a midwife in a Swiss team: the first months
Joining a Swiss maternity unit is a big step even for an experienced midwife. Routines, forms and the way tasks are shared between midwives, doctors and nurses may differ from those you know. Ask for a clear introduction and for a colleague who can answer small practical questions.
Expect a period of observation at the beginning. Use it to learn how the unit documents each stage of care, how handovers are done between shifts and how decisions are discussed. Writing notes of personal in the first weeks helps you remember local habits.
Building trust with families
Parents arrive with different languages, backgrounds and expectations. Listen first, explain what you do in simple words and check that they have understood. A calm voice and clear information matter as much as technical skill, especially in the stressful hours of labour.
Looking after yourself
The job asks for physical stamina and emotional strength. Irregular hours, urgent situations and sad outcomes are part of the work. Teams that talk openly about difficult cases support each other better, so take part in debriefings and do not hesitate to ask for help.
Finally, keep the professional contacts active. Meeting colleagues from other units and attending training sessions will help you feel at home in the country and prepare the next step of the career.
Keep in mind that every unit has its own culture. Some teams are very close and share tasks informally, while others follow strict protocols. Observe, adapt and raise the suggestions politely once colleagues know you.
If you work independently one day, prepare the organisation early: record keeping, emergency contacts and a clear arrangement with colleagues who can replace you when you are away.
Ask about mentoring in the contract talks, since a named contact person makes the arrival easier for everyone involved.
Is the French state midwifery diploma recognised in Switzerland?
It must be recognised by the Swiss Red Cross. Thanks to the agreement on the free movement of persons, the procedure for an EU diploma is generally simpler, but you still need to submit a complete file and wait for the decision.
Can you work in a maternity unit while recognition is pending?
Some hospitals hire under conditions, with supervised tasks, while the file is being reviewed. The rules vary by canton and institution, so it is best to check with the employer and the cantonal public health department.
Does an independent midwife bill health insurance directly?
Yes, once the cantonal licence has been obtained and she is authorised to bill compulsory health insurance, her maternity services are reimbursed at the agreed tariffs. The practical steps are explained by the Swiss Federation of Midwives.
Where is the need for midwives greatest?
Large university and cantonal hospitals regularly advertise positions, as do outlying regions of Valais, Jura or Graubünden. Several cantons also lack professionals for postnatal home care, which leaves room for independent midwives.