Passport / ID Switzerland is in the Schengen Area. EU/EEA/Swiss nationals can enter with a valid national ID card. Other nationals require a passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended departure.

Visa Schengen visa required for many non-EU nationals. Check State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) for details.

• Additional: International Driving Permit (IDP) recommended if you plan to drive.
• Digital copies: Keep scans of passport and visa in your email/cloud.

Official sources: Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs · SEM.

Mandatory No mandatory vaccinations for entry.

Recommended Routine vaccines: MMR, DTaP, polio, influenza. Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is recommended if you plan to spend time in forests or rural areas (especially in the plateau and alpine regions).

• Travel health insurance is highly recommended. EU citizens can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for state medical care (co-payments apply).
• Medical care is among the best in the world, with excellent hospitals and clinics. Federal Office of Public Health.

Links: WHO · CDC Switzerland.

Current situation Switzerland is one of the safest countries in the world. Check U.S. State Department or UK FCDO for updates (usually no warnings).

• Crime: Very low violent crime. Petty theft (pickpocketing) can occur in tourist areas, train stations, and on public transport.
• Mountain safety: When hiking or skiing, check weather conditions, stay on marked trails, and carry appropriate equipment.
• Emergency plan: Save local emergency numbers and embassy contacts.

Official advisories: Ireland · Australia.

• European emergency number: 112 (police, ambulance, fire)
• Police: 117
• Ambulance / Fire: 118 (fire) · 144 (ambulance)
• Poison Information Centre: 145 (Swiss Poison Centre)
• Medical advice (non-emergency): 0848 133 133
• Breakdown assistance: TCS (Touring Club Switzerland) · 0800 140 140

Federal Office of Police: fedpol.admin.ch.

US Embassy in Bern: Sulgeneckstrasse 19 · ch.usembassy.gov · +41 (0)31 357 7011

UK Embassy Bern: Thunstrasse 50 · gov.uk/.../british-embassy-bern · +41 (0)31 359 7700

German Embassy Bern: Willadingweg 83 · bern.diplo.de · +41 (0)31 359 4111

French Embassy Bern: Schosshaldenstrasse 46 · ch.ambafrance.org · +41 (0)31 359 2111

🔍 Full list of embassies and consulates in Switzerland

Switzerland is a landlocked country in the heart of Europe, known for its stunning Alpine landscapes, precision engineering, and neutrality. It is a federal republic with direct democracy and a high standard of living.

• Political system: Federal parliamentary republic with a collegial executive (Federal Council).
• Main income: Banking, insurance, pharmaceuticals, machinery, watches, and tourism.
• Nature: The Alps (covering 60% of the country), Jura mountains, and numerous lakes (Geneva, Lucerne, Zurich).

Swiss society is known for its multiculturalism, punctuality, and strong civic engagement. Official Tourism Website · Swiss Government.

Climate Temperate, with strong alpine variations. Mild winters in the lowlands; cold and snowy in the mountains. Warm summers with occasional thunderstorms.

• Winter (Dec–Mar): -2°C to 6°C in cities; -10°C to -20°C in the mountains. Pack warm layers, down jacket, hat, gloves, and waterproof boots.
• Summer (Jun–Sep): 18°C to 30°C in cities; cooler in the mountains. Light clothing, but always bring a rain jacket and sun protection.
• Spring/Autumn: Unpredictable; layering is key.
• Clothing: In churches and upscale restaurants, smart casual attire is appropriate.

MeteoSwiss weather forecast.

Official German (62.6%), French (22.9%), Italian (8.2%), and Romansh (0.5%). English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas and cities.

• Useful phrases (German): Hallo (hello), Danke (thanks), Bitte (please), Entschuldigung (excuse me), Sprechen Sie Englisch? (do you speak English?)
• Useful phrases (French): Bonjour (hello), Merci (thanks), S'il vous plaît (please), Excusez-moi (excuse me), Parlez-vous anglais? (do you speak English?)
• Mentality: Polite, punctual, and reserved. Direct communication is appreciated.
• Religion: Roman Catholic and Protestant (Reformed) – but society is largely secular.
• Internet/Wi-Fi: Excellent coverage; free Wi-Fi in most cafes, hotels, and public spaces. Local SIM: Swisscom, Salt, Sunrise.

Voltage 230 V · Frequency 50 Hz

Plug types C (Europlug) and J (Swiss SEV 1011). Type J has three pins (including a grounding pin). Type C fits, but Type J is the official standard.

• Adapter needed? For Type C (Europlug) – fits, but not grounded. For Type F (Schuko) – adapter recommended for grounding.
• Converter? Not needed for 230 V devices. For 110 V devices (US, Japan), a step-down converter is required.

Currency Swiss Franc (CHF). Current exchange rate.

• Cash: Widely accepted, but cards are very common. Some small businesses may prefer cash.
• Cards: Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are widely accepted. Contactless payments are prevalent.
• ATMs: Readily available (PostFinance, UBS, Raiffeisen).
• Price level: Very high (one of the most expensive countries in the world).
• Tipping: Not expected; service charge is usually included. Rounding up is appreciated.

Airports Zurich (ZRH), Geneva (GVA), Basel (BSL), Bern (BRN), and Lugano (LUG).

• Rail: SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) – world-class network with scenic routes (Glacier Express, Bernina Express).
• Public transport: Extensive and punctual – trains, trams, buses, and boats. The Swiss Travel Pass is excellent for tourists.
• Taxis: Expensive. Use official apps: Uber (limited) or local taxi companies.
• PostBus: Connects remote alpine villages.

SBB · Zurich Airport.

Hotel types Luxury (Badrutt's Palace, Dolder Grand), boutique, mid-range (Ibis, Movenpick), budget (hostels, Swiss Youth Hostels).

• Hostels: Excellent quality, often with great mountain views.
• Apartments: Booking.com, Airbnb, and local rental agencies.
• Safety: Very safe; standard precautions.
• Opening hours: Shops 09:00–19:00 (weekdays), shorter on Saturdays; closed on Sundays (except at train stations).

Must-try dishes Fondue (cheese), Raclette, Rösti (shredded fried potatoes), Zürcher Geschnetzeltes (veal in cream sauce), Birchermüesli (oatmeal), and Swiss chocolate.

• Drinks: Swiss wine (especially white from the Valais), beer (Feldschlösschen, Chopfab), and Rivella (soft drink).
• Street food: Sausages (Bratwurst) with bread, and pretzels.
• Tap water: Excellent quality – drink from the tap.
• Hygiene: Very high standards.

Time zone UTC+1 (CET) · UTC+2 during summer (CEST).

• Public holidays (nationwide) 2026: 1 Jan (New Year), 2 Jan (St. Berchtold's Day – in some cantons), 18 Apr (Good Friday), 20 Apr (Easter Monday), 21 May (Ascension Day), 1 Jun (Whit Monday), 1 Aug (Swiss National Day), 25 Dec (Christmas Day), 26 Dec (Boxing Day).
• Cantonal holidays: Many additional holidays vary by canton (e.g., 8 Dec – Immaculate Conception in Catholic cantons).
• Closing days: Most shops closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Event calendar.

Cities & places Zurich, Geneva, Bern, Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt, St. Moritz, Lugano, and the Jungfrau Region.

• Cultural: Kunsthaus Zurich, Fondation Beyeler, Geneva's Old Town, Bern's Zytglogge, Lucerne's Chapel Bridge.
• History: Chillon Castle, St. Gallen Abbey (UNESCO), Bellinzona Castles.
• Nature: Matterhorn, Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe), Lake Geneva, Rhine Falls, and the Swiss National Park.
• Excursions: Glacier Express scenic train, boat trips on Lake Lucerne, hiking in the Lauterbrunnen Valley.

Official tourism · Jungfraujoch.

Nightlife Vibrant in Zurich, Geneva, and Basel: bars, clubs, live music, and lakeside lounges.

• Clubs: Zurich's Langstrasse district, Geneva's Bains des Pâquis.
• Festivals: Montreux Jazz Festival (July), Paléo Festival (Nyon, July), Lucerne Festival (classical, Aug/Sept), and Fête de l'Escalade (Geneva, Dec).
• Classical: Tonhalle Zurich, Victoria Hall Geneva.

Event calendar.

• Official Tourism Website Switzerland
• Swiss Government
• Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
• SRF (Swiss TV/Radio) · NZZ (news)
• Google Maps — Switzerland
• YouTube — Switzerland travel & documentaries
• Google News — Switzerland