Health Insurance Recognition for Massage Studios in Switzerland: EMR, ASCA & SPAK Explained
What Does Health Insurance Recognition Mean?
In Switzerland, the mandatory basic health insurance (KVG/LAMal) does not cover massage treatments — with the exception of medically prescribed massage performed by certified medical massage therapists with a federal certificate of proficiency. All other massage methods — including classic massage, Thai massage, sports massage and reflexology — fall under complementary medicine and are covered exclusively by supplementary insurance.
For the supplementary insurance to reimburse costs, the therapist must be registered with a recognised registry. The three most important registries in Switzerland are:
- EMR (Experience Medicine Registry) — the largest registry with over 20,000 registered therapists
- ASCA (Swiss Foundation for Complementary Medicine) — stricter requirements, high reputation
- SPAK (Swiss Examination Organisation for Alternative and Complementary Medicine) — specialised in certain methods
Without registration with one of these registries, your clients generally receive no reimbursement from their health insurance — even if they have taken out supplementary insurance for complementary medicine. This means: clients who value insurance recognition book at a recognised studio — and not at yours.
If you are opening or already running a massage studio in Switzerland, health insurance recognition is therefore a key factor for your occupancy rate and revenue. For more on starting a studio, see our guide: opening a massage studio in Switzerland.
EMR vs. ASCA vs. SPAK — Differences & Requirements
The three registries differ in their requirements, costs and the number of affiliated insurers. Here is a detailed comparison:
EMR (Experience Medicine Registry)
- Minimum training: 150 hours of method-specific training at an EMR-accredited school, plus 350 hours of basic medical studies (anatomy, physiology, pathology)
- Professional experience: At least 2 years of practical professional experience after completing training
- Insurers: Over 50 health insurers recognise EMR-registered therapists
- Registration fee: CHF 200–300 one-time, plus annual renewal fee of approximately CHF 150
- Advantage: Largest reach — most clients know EMR and specifically ask for it
ASCA (Swiss Foundation for Complementary Medicine)
- Minimum training: 200 hours of method-specific training at an ASCA-accredited school, plus basic medical studies depending on the method
- Professional experience: Proof of ongoing practical activity, regular continuing education required
- Insurers: Over 40 health insurers recognise ASCA
- Registration fee: CHF 250–400 one-time, annual renewal approximately CHF 200
- Advantage: Stricter examination = higher reputation with insurers and clients
SPAK
- Minimum training: Varies by method, typically 150–200 hours
- Insurers: Fewer affiliated insurers than EMR or ASCA
- Advantage: Specialisation in certain methods, sometimes simpler access
Recommendation: For most massage studios in Switzerland, EMR is the best entry option — widest insurance coverage, best-known name, moderate requirements. For long-term premium positioning, an additional ASCA registration is recommended.
Which Massage Methods Are Recognised?
Not every massage method automatically qualifies for health insurance recognition. The registries each maintain a list of recognised methods. Here are the most important ones:
Generally recognised:
- Classic massage — The most frequently recognised method. Virtually all registries and insurers accept it.
- Medical massage — With a federal certificate of proficiency, even reimbursable through basic insurance (with a medical prescription).
- Lymphatic drainage (manual lymphatic drainage) — Recognised by EMR and ASCA, often registered as a separate method.
- Sports massage — Generally recognised as a subcategory of classic massage.
- Foot reflexology — Listed as a separate method at EMR and ASCA.
- Connective tissue massage — Recognised as a specialised method.
Thai massage — a special case:
For therapists with a Thai massage background, the situation is more complex. A certificate from a reputable Thai school (e.g. Wat Pho, TMC Chiang Mai) is generally not accepted as a sole qualification by EMR and ASCA. The reasons:
- The training must have been completed at a school accredited in Switzerland or recognised there
- The basic medical studies (anatomy, physiology, pathology) mandatory in Switzerland are often missing
- The number of hours must meet the minimum requirements of the respective registry
Solution for Thai massage studios: Many Thai massage therapists complete supplementary training in Switzerland — typically a course in classic massage or complementary therapy at an EMR/ASCA-accredited school. This allows them to meet the requirements and combine their Thai massage expertise with formal Swiss recognition.
Step by Step: Applying for Recognition
The path to health insurance recognition is clearly structured — if you know which steps are necessary. Here is the complete process:
Step 1: Check training requirements
Visit the websites of EMR (emr.ch) and ASCA (asca.ch) and check whether your training meets the minimum requirements. Pay particular attention to accredited schools — training at non-accredited schools is not recognised, even if the content is equivalent.
Step 2: Choose a registry
Decide on EMR, ASCA or SPAK — based on your qualifications and target clientele. For most studios, we recommend EMR as the first registration.
Step 3: Gather documents
The following documents are typically required:
- Training certificates (originals or certified copies)
- Detailed CV with professional experience
- Proof of basic medical studies (150–350 hours)
- Professional liability insurance (mandatory)
- Recent criminal record extract
- Proof of continuing education (for renewal)
Step 4: Submit the application
Submit the application online (EMR: via the online portal; ASCA: by post or electronically). Pay the registration fee.
Step 5: Wait for the review
Processing time is typically 4 to 8 weeks. If there are queries or missing documents, the deadline is extended. Therefore plan sufficient lead time.
Step 6: Receive your registration number
After successful review, you will receive your ZSR number (payment registry number) and your registration confirmation. From that point on, your clients can submit treatments to their supplementary insurance.
Important: Annual renewal
Registration is not permanent. EMR and ASCA require annual renewal, which includes proof of continuing education hours (typically 16–24 hours per year) and payment of the annual fee. If you miss the renewal, you lose the recognition — and your clients lose the reimbursement option.
Pricing with Health Insurance Billing
Health insurance recognition fundamentally changes your pricing — to your advantage. Recognised therapists can charge higher hourly rates because clients receive a large portion of the costs back from their insurer.
Typical price differences (Swiss market 2026):
- Without recognition: CHF 80–100 per hour — clients pay everything themselves, are more price-sensitive
- With EMR/ASCA recognition: CHF 120–150 per hour — clients receive 50–90% back from their supplementary insurance
For your clients, this means: a treatment costing CHF 130 effectively costs them only CHF 13–65, depending on the insurance model. This significantly lowers the barrier and increases booking frequency.
Billing requirements:
For your clients to submit invoices to their insurer, your invoices must contain the following information:
- ZSR number (your personal payment registry number)
- Method (e.g. "Classic Massage", "Foot Reflexology")
- Date and duration of the treatment
- Treatment description — brief, factual documentation (e.g. "Tension in shoulder-neck area, classic massage 60 min.")
- Client's name and date of birth
- Your name, address and stamp
Documentation tip:
Keep a brief treatment record for each client — not only for the insurance, but also for your own therapy planning. One to two sentences per session are sufficient. Modern booking systems such as HelvYx® integrate this documentation directly into the booking process.
For further information on optimal pricing, see our guide: 7 measures for more clients.
Professional Presentation: Certificates on Your Website
Health insurance recognition only fully benefits you if potential clients immediately see that you are recognised. Many studios waste enormous potential here because the information is present but not visibly placed.
What belongs on your website:
- EMR and/or ASCA logo — prominently in the header or footer of your website. The registries provide official logos that you may use after registration.
- List of accepted insurers — "Recognised by: Helsana, CSS, Swica, Sanitas, Concordia, Visana, Groupe Mutuel..." Such a list creates immediate trust.
- ZSR number on the contact page — so that clients and insurers can directly verify your recognition.
- Note in the booking process — "This treatment is reimbursed by most supplementary insurers (EMR/ASCA-recognised)." Directly in the service description.
Professional photography:
Studios with professional photos of treatment rooms, certificates and the therapist team appear more trustworthy. Clients who pay CHF 130 per hour expect a professional presentation. Invest once CHF 300–500 in a professional photographer — the images serve for your website, Google Business profile and social media.
Optimise your Google Business profile:
Enter your EMR/ASCA recognition in your Google Business profile as well — in the description and as an attribute. Clients specifically search for "massage health insurance recognised" and "EMR massage [city]". If your profile contains these terms, you appear in the relevant search results.
A complete guide to creating your professional studio website can be found in our guide: creating a website for massage studios.
Conclusion: Is the Recognition Worth It?
For the vast majority of massage studios in Switzerland, the answer is: yes, clearly. The investment is manageable, the return on investment measurable and quick.
Summary of benefits:
- Higher prices: CHF 120–150 instead of CHF 80–100 per hour — a revenue increase of 30–50%
- More clients: Many clients book exclusively with recognised therapists because their insurance only reimburses there
- Greater trust: EMR/ASCA registration signals verified quality and professionalism
- Better client retention: Clients who receive reimbursement book more regularly (typically 30–50% more often)
- Competitive advantage: Not all studios are recognised — Thai massage studios in particular have catching up to do
The investment at a glance:
- Registration fee: CHF 200–400 one-time
- Annual renewal: CHF 150–200
- Supplementary training (if needed): CHF 2,000–5,000 for basic medical studies
- Professional liability insurance: CHF 300–600 per year (recommended regardless)
Return on investment:
Let us calculate conservatively: with recognition, you can charge CHF 30–50 more per treatment. With just 5 additional or higher-billed treatments per week, this amounts to additional revenue of CHF 600–1,000 per month — or CHF 7,200–12,000 per year. The investment typically pays for itself within 2–3 months.
Next steps:
Check emr.ch or asca.ch for the requirements for your massage method. Gather the necessary documents and submit your application. At the same time: optimise your online presence so that new clients immediately see your recognition.
Also read our other guides: Why massage studios have too few clients and Marketing for massage studios in Switzerland.
Would you like to professionally showcase your EMR/ASCA recognition on your website and attract more clients through supplementary insurance? We advise you free of charge.
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