General facts

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General Information

  • Electricity

    The voltage in Switzerland, as in most of Europe, is 230V/50 Hz. Switzerland uses type C (2-pin) and Type J (3-pin) plugs. (Type C 2-pin plugs also fit J sockets.) Most power sockets are designed for three pin round plugs. The standard continental...

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  • Public Holidays

    Certain public holidays are celebrated throughout Switzerland – such as Easter, Christmas, New Year and Swiss National Day on 1 August . Other public holidays vary from canton to canton; find a detailed list here: Public holidays

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  • Drinking water

    The water distributed in Switzerland meets very high-quality standards. Eighty percent of the water comes from underground sources, the rest is taken from the lakes. The establishment of groundwater protection zones makes it possible to distribute...

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  • Telephone and mail

    Phoning home and within Switzerland If calling from Switzerland, you need to enter the international country code. For example, for Germany the international country code is "+49", for France "+33". The country code is followed by the area code...

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  • WiFi

    Do you want to avoid expensive roaming and Wi-Fi charges? Here are some tips on how to get online in Switzerland via Wi-Fi or mobile without spending a fortune.

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  • Food and Drink

    Whether typical Swiss, Italian, Asian or other exotic culinary delights: You can find everything in Switzerland. The rich range of regional specialities tempts you to go on journeys of discovery. Top chefs transform traditional dishes into...

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  • Smoking policy

    Since 1 May 2010, smoking has been forbidden in Switzerland in enclosed areas when they are open to the public or serve as a workplace for more than one person. Hence it is forbidden to smoke in restaurants, public buildings and offices. Smoking is...

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  • Alcohol and tobacco

    Alcohol is sold in supermarkets. The age limit for the purchase of wine and beer is 16 years, and 18 years for high-proof alcohol. There is no nationwide minimum age for the purchase of tobacco in Switzerland. Depending on the canton, the minimum age...

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  • Important telephone numbers

    Emergency Calls: 117 Police   118 Fire   144 Ambulance   1414 Swiss Rescue   112 European emergency number   General inquiries: 1811 General inquiries, e.g. doctors, theatres, etc.    162 Weather...

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  • Time zone

    During the winter, Central European Time (CET) applies in Switzerland. From the end of March to the end of October, Summer Time applies (CET + 1 hour).

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  • Sports

    Mountain climbing/hiking Both hikers seeking relaxation and experienced mountain climbers find their ideal holiday destination in the Swiss mountains. Good equipment is necessary and the weather forecast should always be studied. Hiking...

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  • Drones

    Switzerland offers many beautiful subjects. We are happy when our guests use drones to produce films about the sights of Switzerland. However, there are a few points to consider: www.bazl.admin.ch

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Emergency

  • Health care

    Medical care in Switzerland is among the best in the world. You can contact any doctor in Switzerland. In case of emergencies, you go to the nearest hospital, to an emergency practice or, in urgent cases, call the ambulance (144). Every hospital...

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  • Pharmacies

    Pharmacies in Switzerland are marked with the green pharmacy symbol. They are generally open from 8.00-18:30 a.m. (Monday to Friday) and 8.00-16.00/5:00 p.m. (Saturday).  Individual pharmacies (often in train stations and airports) are open longer...

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  • Lost and Found

    Lost property offices are usually run by the local municipality. In addition, public transport services have their own lost property offices: www.sbb.ch For details of lost property offices in Switzerland, visit: www.easyfind.com

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  • Dentist

    If you have a toothache or a dental emergency, contact the nearest dentist.? You usually have to bear the costs yourself - unless you have taken out appropriate insurance. In case of emergencies outside opening hours, contact an emergency service....

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  • Safer Travel

    Traveling is something beautiful and nothing should interfere with enjoyment. That's why we want to make sure that your journey is safe for you and your luggage. Find the right help on: www.safertravel.ch 

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Money and shopping

  • Currency

    Since Switzerland is not a member of the EU, the national currency is the Swiss franc (CHF). In many places, however, prices are displayed in euros and Swiss francs. Very often it is also possible to pay in euros (change in CHF). The Swiss franc:...

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  • Creditcards

    The most commonly accepted payment options are cash, credit cards and debit cards. Credit cards and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere. The most common are Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Maestro. It is advisable to check in advance...

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  • Prices and quality of life

    Life in Swiss cities is quite expensive, but the quality of life is also correspondingly high. In this respect, Zurich and Geneva repeatedly come out on top in international studies. Prices vary depending on the area and tourist spots. For example,...

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  • Money exchange places

    You can change money at the following places: Banks Exchange offices Airport Major hotels Exchange offices usually offer better exchange rates than banks. At airports, the rates may be slightly higher than in the city...

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  • Tax Free Shopping

    Foreign guests will receive a refund for purchases of more than CHF 300.00 (incl. Value added tax), provided that the goods leave the country within 30 days. You can find more information here: Federal Tax Administration FTA The value added tax you...

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  • Business Hours

    Stores In general, most stores are open Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. Many stores are closed on Sundays. However, stores are open at train stations, airports and gas...

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  • Shopping

    Whether fashion or practical, boutique, small local store or shopping mall: Switzerland offers a lot for an extensive shopping trip. Of course, chocolate and watches are among the classics when in Switzerland. So is the wide range of cheese. In...

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  • Tipping

    In Switzerland, the guest is not obliged to tip. In many restaurants, however, it is customary to pay a tip. This amounts to approximately 10 percent or it is rounded up to a round amount.

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Facts about Switzerland

  • Switzerland: How to

    How do you dispose of rubbish in Switzerland? Will a foreign diploma be recognised? From Switzerland's visa requirements to how the school system works, here you'll find useful tips, facts and links to practical information about Switzerland from SWI...

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  • Security, Criminality and Insurance

    Health and Insurance Drinking and eating-out is hygienic and the tap water is safe. Immunization for contagious diseases is only required if the traveler has been in an infected area within 14 days preceding arrival in Switzerland. Personal...

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  • Climate

    The climate is moderate with no excessive heat, cold or humidity. From July to August the daytime temperature range is 18 to 28 °C (65° - 82° F) and from January to February the range is -2 to 7 °C (28° - 45° F). In spring...

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  • Population

    8.9 million live in Switzerland. People. Multilingualism, the rising average age and the high proportion of foreigners in the total population characterise Switzerland's population development.

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  • Language distribution

    Switzerland has four unevenly distributed languages and a wealth of dialects. German (62.6 %) German is by far the most widely spoken language in Switzerland: 19 of the country’s 26 cantons are predominantly (Swiss) German-speaking. French...

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  • Religion

    The majority of people living in Switzerland are Christians. 30.7 % are Roman Catholic, and 19.5 % Protestant. There are also other religions represented in Switzerland such as 6.0 % Muslim and 0.2 % Jewish. The number of people with no religious...

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  • Politics

    1848: The founding of Switzerland The establishment of the modern state of Switzerland dates back to 1848. Prior to this, Switzerland consisted of a loose alliance of independent cantons. In 1848 Switzerland formed a modern constitution which made a...

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  • Swissness

    The language communities eat different things and have different traditions and customs. Even their shared history only goes back about two centuries. The Swiss themselves are sometimes puzzled about what they have in common apart from their...

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  • Geography

    Switzerland has an area of 41,285 square kilometres (15,940 square miles). The productive area - that is, the area without the lakes, rivers, unproductive vegetation and no vegetation at all - covers 30,753 square km (11,870 square miles). The Jura,...

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  • Economy

    Switzerland’s economy is based on a highly qualified labour force performing highly skilled work. The main areas include microtechnology, hitech, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, as well as banking and insurance know-how. The service sector now...

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  • Sustainability & environment

    Modest as we Swiss are, we rarely mention how sustainable our country really is. Yet Switzerland has so much to offer! Countless rankings offer proof of this. Switzerland regularly scores above average in international studies when it comes to...

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