Travelling to...

SWITZERLAND

What can we help you with?

Visa
Banking & Taxes
Housing & Renting
Healthcare
Transportation & Driving

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VISA & Immigration

Switzerland is part of the Schengen zone, this means that travelers from Schengen area countries can enter Switzerland without a visa, and stay for an unlimited period. However, travelers from non-Schengen countries may need a Schengen Visa.

How to get a Schengen

Firstly, as a non EU citizen, you are allowed to stay within Switzerland with no visa for up to 90 days within a 180 day period.

If you do need a Schengen visa, here are the documents you need:

  • Valid passport

  • Completed visa application form

  • 2 passport sized-photos

  • Proof of accommodation (this can be hotel booking or airbnb)

  • Travel insurance (this has to cover minimum of 30,000 euro for medical emergencies)

  • Proof of financial means (e.g, bank statements showing around CHF 100 a day for your stay)

How to apply for a Schengen visa

Here is a quick breakdown of how you can apply for a Schengen Visa:

  1. Book an appointment for in-person submission (visit the Swiss embassy in your country or a authorized visa application center

  2. Bring all the documents mentioned above

  3. Attend your visa appointment (bring all the documents printed and you will as well submit biometric data)

  4. Wait for processing (this usually takes 15 calendar days, but it can take up to 30-60 business days)

  5. Collect your passport, where there will be a visa sticker with entry dates, duration and number of entries

Housing & Renting

When travelling to Sweden, you will have a lot of accommodation options as a tourist, here are all the accommodations you have access to as a tourist:

Options of stay in Switzerland

    • 3 star hotels go for around 120-160 euro a night

    • 4-5 star hotels go for around 180-550 a night

    • Best areas for hotels are Zurich, Geneva and Interlaken

    • Great for couples and families, or longer stays

    • Fully furnished apartments with kitchens

    • Hostels are a cheap way to travel, costing around 40-80 CHF a night

    • Best hostels are City backpacker, Youth Hostel and Backpackers Lucerne

    • For countryside or mountain retreats in Zermatt, Grindewald and Lauterbrunnen

    • These come fully furnished with kitchens

Driving & Transportation

Switzerland offers an efficient and reliable transport system making it very easy to travel by train, tram, bus and car. If you do plan to drive, EU/EEA licenses are valid indefinitely, while non-EU licenses must be converted within 12 months.

Renting a car in Switzerland

Public Transportation in Switzerland

    • Most efficient way to travel between cities like Zurich, Geneva and Lucerne

    • Swiss Federal Railways operates trains with punctual schedules

    • Purchase tickets through the SBB website or app

    • Trams are common in Zurich, Basel and Geneva running frequently

    • Buses connect suburbs, rural areas and smaller towns where trains do not go

Swiss Travel pass is the best for anyone going to travel a lot using the public transportation, you get access to unlimited travel on trains, buses and boats. Discounts on museums, mountain excursions and scenic trains.

Renting a car is a great way to get around to explore Switzerland’s amazing country side, national parks and smaller towns that are hard to get to by public transport.

You will learn the requirements of renting a car, and what documents you need to rent a car in Switzerland.

Documents you need:

  • Valid Driver’s license (EU/EEA license is fully accepted with no extra requirements, non-EU license are accepted for 12 months, but an international driving permit is required if your drivers license is not in English or Swedish

  • Passport

  • Credit Card

  • Proof of Age (you need to be at least 18-25 years old, depending on the rental company

How to get an IDP for Switzerland

Here are the documents you will need and a step-by-step guide on how to get an International Driving Permit for Switzerland:

  • Valid national drivers license

  • Passport sized photos

  • Completed IDP application form

  • Application fee

Step-by-step on how to apply for an IDP:

  1. Prepare all the documents mentioned above

  2. Submit your application (apply in person, by mail or sometimes online)

  3. Wait for your IDP (processing time can be either immediate or within 1-2 weeks)