Switzerland Travel Guide

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Passports and Visas

Travelers must have all documents necessary for their next destination and passports must be valid at least three months beyond period of stay if a visa is required. The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and as of December 2008, Switzerland. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Americans

US passport holders require a valid passport, but a visa is not necessary for stays of up to three months. Visitors must hold required documents for return or onward journey.

UK Nationals

UK passport holders require a valid passport, but a visa is not necessary for stays of up to three months if passport is endorsed British Citizen, British Overseas Territories Citizen, British Overseas Citizen, or British National Overseas.

Canadians

Canadian passport holders require a valid passport, but a visa is not necessary for stays of up to three months. Visitors must hold required documents for return or onward journey.

Australians

Australian passport holders require a valid passport, but a visa is not necessary for stays of up to three months. Visitors must hold required documents for return or onward journey.

South Africans

South African passport holders require a valid passport, and a Schengen visa. Temporary passports are not accepted. Visitors must hold required documents for return or onward journey.

Irish Nationals

Irish nationals require a valid passport, but no visa is necessary for a stay of up to three months.

New Zealanders

New Zealand nationals require a valid passport, but no visa is necessary for a stay of up to three months. Visitors must hold required documents for return or onward journey.

Healthcare

Swiss medical facilities and health care are among the best in the world, but very expensive and health insurance is recommended. Immunization certificates are only required if the traveler has been in an infected area within two weeks prior to arrival in the country. There is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK and most EU countries, whose citizens are entitled to free or low-cost emergency medical treatment on presentation of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Medical insurance is advised for other nationalities. Outbreaks of the deadly strain of bird flu were confirmed in 2006, but no new cases or human infections have been reported. The risk to travelers from bird flu is very low, but close contact with live birds should be avoided, and all poultry and egg dishes well cooked as a precaution.

Safety

Switzerland has a low crime rate compared to other European countries and is generally a safe country to travel in, however there has been a recent increase in petty theft and visitors should be alert to pickpockets and thieves, particularly in the city centers and on public transport. Be aware of robberies on overnight trains.