Switzerland

Government advisories

• ☐ United States: level 1/4 — Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
• ☐ United Kingdom: level 1/4
• ☐ Canada: level 1/4 — Exercise normal security precautions

Health notices

• ☐ Global Measles (level 1)

Entry requirements

☐ The visa policy of the Schengen Area is a component within the wider area of freedom, security and justice policy of the European Union. It applies to the Schengen Area and Cyprus, but not to EU member state Ireland. The visa policy allows nationals of certain countries to enter the Schengen Area via air, land or sea without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Nationals of certain other countries are required to have a visa to enter and, in some cases, transit through the Schenge

Practical

• ☐ Plug type C/J, 230V — bring an adapter if yours differs
• ☐ Drives on the right
• ☐ Emergency (police): 117
• ☐ Emergency (ambulance): 144
• ☐ Emergency (fire): 118
• ☐ Money: Switzerland's currency is the Swiss franc (or Franken, or franc, or franco, depending on which language area you are in), denoted by the symbol "Fr." or sometimes "SFr." (ISO code: CHF) It is divided into 100 Rappen, centimes, or centesimi. However, some places – such as supermarkets, restaurants, tourist attraction ticket counters, hotels and the railways or ticket machines – accept euro bills (b
• ☐ Tipping: Swiss service personnel enjoy a relatively highly set minimum wage compared to other countries, so tips are rather modest. By law, a service charge is included in the bill. Nevertheless, if you feel satisfied, especially in restaurants, you may round up the bill and add a few francs with a maximum of 5–20 francs depending on the kind of establishment, regardless of bill size. If you were not happy

Laws that could get a tourist arrested

• ☐ Traffic Violations — Police are strict regarding traffic rules. Jaywalking or crossing against a red pedestrian light will result in an on-the-spot fine.
• ☐ Alcohol Age Limits — The legal drinking age is 16 for beer and wine, and 18 for straight liquor. Public consumption of alcohol is legal.
• ☐ Police Identity Checks — Police may approach individuals they deem suspicious to check identification papers. Carry a photocopy of your passport and onward ticket to facilitate these checks.

Before you go

General trip-prep, not specific to Switzerland — the same short list applies anywhere.

• ☐ Register with your embassy's traveler program if one exists
• ☐ Check your passport's validity and blank-page requirements on your destination's official entry-rules page
• ☐ Photograph/screenshot your passport, visa, and travel insurance documents
• ☐ Download offline maps for your destination
• ☐ Confirm your bank/card issuer knows you're traveling
• ☐ Check whether your phone plan needs a travel add-on or a local SIM