Switzerland

While Switzerland has low levels of serious crime, violent offences and assaults can occur, especially in the major cities.

Petty crime, bag snatching, and pickpocketing are increasing. It regularly happens on public transport and in tourist areas.

Thieves may steal your belongings when your vehicle is unattended or stopped in traffic. 

Tourists are a target for robbery:

• on all trains, particularly overnight trains, as they sleep
• near tourist attractions
• in major towns, including Bern, Zurich and Geneva
• at airports and railway stations

Crime rates increase in peak tourist seasons around summer and major events.

Criminals may operate at events with a large number of foreign visitors.

Thieves often work in pairs. One may distract you while the other steals from you.

Drink spiking

Methanol poisoning

Cyber security 

Terrorism is a threat worldwide. Terrorist attacks could occur anywhere and at any time. Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places. 

If there’s a terrorist incident, leave the area if it’s safe to do so and follow the instructions of local authorities. 

More information:

• Terrorism

Protests or demonstrations may happen.

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

More information:

• Protests and civil unrest

Switzerland experiences natural disasters and severe weather, including:

• avalanches
• storms and flash flooding
• mudslides
• rock falls
• glacial crevasses
• sudden weather changes
• forest fires
• earthquakes

People have died.

The weather, particularly in alpine areas, is unpredictable. It can change suddenly. If there's a natural disaster, follow the advice of local authorities. Get the Alertswiss app and enable push notifications to get real-time weather warnings and advice about the impact of severe weather activity.

Mountain rescues can be extremely costly. Check your travel insurance to ensure it covers you for planned activities.

Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.

When you're travelling in alpine areas:

• take weather warnings seriously
• follow the advice of local authorities
• obey warnings and notices
• stick to marked slopes and trails

More information:

• Swiss ​Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research
• European Avalanche Warning Service
• Alertswiss

There are many adventure activities in Switzerland. These include mountaineering, hiking, skiing and air sports. Check your travel insurance covers you for all planned activities.

Mountaineering and hiking

If you're mountaineering, hiking or skiing:

• monitor advice on weather and safety conditions
• don't move off marked slopes or trails

Hiking or mountain climbing without appropriate footwear (hiking boots) is dangerous. Stick to marked trails.

In some areas, authorities may arrest or prosecute you if you mountaineer or ski off marked trails.

Skiing and snowboarding

In addition to the above advice, be sure to follow posted etiquette rules as seen at ski resorts when skiing or snowboarding. If in doubt, check with the ticket sales office, tourist office or ski instructors. Failure to follow these rules and give priority to the right people can lead to accidents.

Skiing outside of prepared skiing areas is dangerous and may void your insurance. Stick to marked slopes and trails.

Air sports

These activities are always dangerous, even in Switzerland, where safety standards are generally high.

Always follow the advice of operators and instructors and wear all safety equipment correctly.

Swimming safety

Every year, several people drown in the rivers and lakes.

Most rivers have strong undercurrents and hidden debris. Due to the management of local dams, the undercurrents can vary significantly within short periods.

Lakes and rivers can be significantly colder than the air temperature, leading to thermal shock. Extended periods in any body of water can lead to fatigue.

Wildlife safety

Wolves, wild boar, deer and cows with young calves are occasionally encountered. You should take particular care if you're in an area where they have been sighted. You should avoid these animals in the wild.

Tick-borne encephalitis is present in some areas of Switzerland. Make sure you take precautions to prevent tick bites. 

Ask your doctor about health risks and vaccines before you go.

More information

• Infectious diseases

There’s no agreement between Australia and Switzerland for free healthcare. Tourists must pay for all medical care, even if they need to stay in hospital or be evacuated. This can be very expensive. Make sure your travel insurance covers you. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

The standard of medical facilities and care is similar to that of Australia.

There are no public hospitals in Switzerland. 

Hospitals, doctors and medical centres may ask for payment before treatment if you don't have medical insurance.

When you travel to another country, you must follow their laws. Even if they seem strict compared to Australia's. Before you go, learn about the local laws in that country.

The Australian Government is limited in how and when we can help if you're arrested overseas. We can't get you out of trouble or out of jail. Understand our limits. Read the Consular Services Charter.

If you're convicted of a crime and you're a foreign national, you may be expelled and unable to return for a long time.

Drugs

Penalties for possessing, using or trafficking illegal drugs are severe.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Switzerland allows multiple citizenship without any restrictions.

More information:

• Advice for dual nationals

Switzerland is part of the Schengen Area, along with many other European countries, meaning you can enter Switzerland without a visa in some cases.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact an embassy or consulate of Switzerland for the latest details about visas, currency and customs.

Carry your passport when crossing borders, even within the Schengen area.

More information: 

• Swiss State Secretariat for Migration
• Information regarding entry into Switzerland and residence

The European Union's (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) for registering all non-EU nationals, including Australians, travelling in or out of the Schengen area, has started.

European countries using the EES will gradually introduce the system at their external borders. Data collection will be introduced at border crossing points with full implementation by 10 April 2026.

After it is fully implemented, EES registration will replace the current system of manually stamping passports. ​

The registration process should only take a few minutes but there may be longer border queues when the system starts.

When travelling into and out of the Schengen area, for short stays, you may need to 

• have your fingerprints and photo taken
• answer Schengen Border Code questions

This creates a digital record that registers your biometric details.

If you revisit the Schengen area within 3 years of creating your digital record, you'll only need to provide either your fingerprint or photograph at the border on entry and exit.

If you frequently travel to Schengen areas for work and/or leisure purposes, you must ensure that your total stay in the Schengen area is no more than 90 days in every 180 days. Be aware of immigration penalties and enforcement for exceeding the limit in any individual country you plan to travel to or through.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Before you travel, contact the nearest embassy or consulate for details on entry requirements .

More information:

• Visas and entry requirements in Europe and the Schengen Area

Travelling with children

The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) recommends that children under 18 travelling alone or with only one parent/guardian carry a letter of consent from their parents/guardians/non-travelling parent.

The letter should contain the following:

• the particulars of the parent(s)/guardian(s)
• dates of travel
• destination
• duration of travel/stay
• reason for travel
• a copy of the absent parent's passport or ID and contact details.

In cases where the second parent isn't present evidence of this should also be provided.

More information:

• State Secretariat for Migration (SEM)

Validity

Lost or stolen passport

Passport with 'X' gender identifier

Switzerland's currency is the Swiss Franc (CHF). 

ATMs are widely accessible, and most major credit and debit cards are widely accepted.

Borders

Check local media and ask transport providers for updates on border issues.

Driving permit

Drivers must:

• be at least 18 years old
• hold a valid Australian driver's licence (digital driver’s licences may not be accepted)

Some car hire agencies may need you to have an International Driving Permit (IDP). Get your IDP before you leave Australia.

Road travel

The standard of roads is generally high.

Pay attention to road conditions in winter.

Ask for local advice on using snow tyres and snow chains.

When driving, be aware that:  

• ​​vehicle headlights must be on at all times
• vehicles on motorways must display a valid car sticker — known as a vignette
• vehicles must have a warning triangle for use during breakdowns or accidents
• vehicles crossing into France, Germany and Italy must also carry a fluorescent safety vest
• vehicles must carry a first-aid kit

It's illegal to use a radar detector.

​Penalties for breaking these rules include significant on-the-spot fines.

More information:

• ​​Driving or riding
• Swiss Federal Customs Administration
• Swiss road rules

Rail travel

Information about rail services is available on the SBB website.

More information:

• Transport and getting around safely

Air travel

Check Switzerland's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Fire and rescue services

Call 118.

Medical emergencies

Call 144.

Police

Call 117.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

The Australian Government aims to provide high quality consular assistance. There are limits to what we can do. Read the Consular Services Charter to understand how we can assist you overseas.

Consular assistance is available from the Australian Embassy in Bern and the Consulate-General in Geneva. The Embassy only provides routine passport services by appointment and as scheduled on the website. The Consulate-General in Geneva provides routine passport and notarial services by appointment and emergency passport services.

Australian Embassy, Bern

Address: Weltpoststrasse 5, 2nd Floor – Flex Office
3015 Bern, Switzerland

Phone: +41 (0)31 310 17 80 
Email: bern.embassy@dfat.gov.au 
Website: Switzerland.embassy.gov.au
X: AusAmbCH

See the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

Australian Consulate-General, Geneva

Address : Chemin des Fins 2, 1218 Le Grand-Saconnex
Postal address: Case postale 102, 1211 Geneva 19
Switzerland 

Phone: +41 (0)22 799 9100 
Email: australian.consulate-geneva@dfat.gov.au
Website: geneva.mission.gov.au 
Facebook: Australian Consulate-General, Switzerland
X: Australian Consulate Geneva

See the Consulate-General website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia