Switzerland

SAFETY: excellent
The country is generally safe. No particular risks are reported other than petty crime (suburbs, large cities...).

TRANSPORT: excellent
A comprehensive, modern transport system covering the whole country (air, rail, bus, tram, taxi) makes it possible to reach any destination. Motorways are subject to tolls. Boat services operate on the Rhine between Basel-Rheinfelden and Schaffhausen-Lake Constance. Hiring cars, motorbikes, campervans, bikes and boats is easy and convenient. Well connected to Italy and all neighbouring countries.

Main airports: Bern (Belp), Basel, Geneva, Sion, Zurich.

ACCOMMODATION: excellent
Switzerland has a vast choice of accommodation of various kinds, categories and prices. The international hotel classification applies (one to five stars), and there are also farm stays, B&Bs, guesthouses, hostels, mountain huts, campsites, spa and wellness centres.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Swiss Confederation – Location: Central Europe. Borders: Germany to the north, Liechtenstein and Austria to the east, Italy to the south, France to the west – Time zone: UTC+1, the same as Italy, observes daylight saving time – Area: 41,000 sq km – Capital: Bern – Population: 7,555,000 – Religion: 41.8% Catholic, 35.3% Protestant, 4.3% Muslim, 1.8% Orthodox, 5.7% other religions, 11.1% non-religious – Languages: German, French, Italian – Measures: metric system.

CURRENCY: Swiss franc (CHF). There are no restrictions on importing or exporting currency – Credit cards: the major cards are generally accepted – Exchange: it is possible to pay in euros, but the exchange rate is unfavourable.

ELECTRICITY: 230 V and 50 Hz – Sockets: three-pin type with offset pins, bring an adapter.

DOCUMENTS: identity card valid for foreign travel. There are no customs restrictions on personal luggage (Schengen) – Driving: Italian driving licence – Car: Italian third-party insurance is sufficient for Italian vehicles. To use the Swiss motorways, all vehicles and trailers must display a sticker (vignette) on the windscreen, valid for 14 months and available from some provincial ACI offices, customs offices, post offices and service stations in Switzerland.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES: International dialling code: 0041– GSM: coverage available across the whole country. Standard: GSM 900/1800 and 3G 2100 (as in Italy). Local operators: In & Phone, Orange Communications, Sunrise Communication, Swisscom Mobile and Tele2 Switzerland– Internet: very widespread and available throughout the country – Web domain: .ch –Emergency numbers: roadside assistance 140.

RULES, LAWS AND CUSTOMS: drug offences and offences against the person carry penalties similar to those under Italian law. Homosexuality is legal and same-sex partnerships are recognised.

HEALTH: the local health service is excellent, as is the availability of medicines. Italian citizens travelling temporarily who hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) receive the care provided by the local public health service.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1-2 January, New Year; 6 January, Epiphany; 1 May, Labour Day; 1 August, National Day; 15 August, Assumption (Catholic cantons only); 1 November, All Saints' Day; 25-26 December, Christmas Day and St Stephen's Day. Religious holidays with variable dates: Good Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Whit Monday and Corpus Christi (Catholic cantons only), Buss und Bettag (day of penance and prayer).

OPENING HOURS: Post offices: Mon-Fri 8.00-12.00, 13.45-18.00, Sat 8.00-11.00, in the big cities also 18.30-21.00 – Banks: Mon-Fri 8.30-16.30 – Shops: Mon-Sat 8.00-19.00 – Closing day: Sunday.

CLIMATE: temperate continental, with long, very harsh and snowy winters. In some valleys, in spring and summer, the föhn blows, a warm, dry wind. Summers are mild. Rainfall is frequent and widespread throughout the year. In the northern part, persistent drizzle can be encountered in summer. The areas around the large lakes enjoy a moderating effect, especially in summer.

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USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ITALY 

Embassy of Switzerland
Via Barnaba Oriani 61– 00197 Rome – Tel. 06 809571 (consular section 06 80957382) – Fax 06 8088510 (consular section 06 8080871) – Web: www.eda.admin.ch/roma – E-mail: amsuisse@rom.rep.admin.ch

Consulates General
Largo Elvezia 15– 00197 Rome – Tel. 06 809 571 – Fax 06 808 08 71
Via Palestro 2 – 20121 Milan – Tel. 02 7779161 – Fax 02 76014296 – Web: www.eda.admin.ch/milano – E-mail: mil.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

Tourist Office (Switzerland Tourism)
Via Palestro 2– 20121 Milan – Tel. 00800 10029929/31– Web: www.svizzera.it – E-mail: info@myswitzerland.com

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN SWITZERLAND

Embassy of Italy

Elfenstrasse 14 – 3006 Bern – Tel. 0041 31 3500777 – Fax 0041 31 3500711 – Web: www.ambberna.esteri.it – E-mail: ambasciata.berna@esteri.it

Consulates General
Schaffhauserrheinweg 5 – 4058 Basel – Tel. 0041 61 6899626 – Fax 0041 61 6910168 – Web: www.consbasilea.esteri.it – E-mail: segreteria.basilea@esteri.it
Rue Charles Galland 14 – 1206 Geneva – Tel. 0041 22 8396744 – Fax 004122 8396745 – Web: www.consginevra.esteri.it – E-mail: consolato.ginevra@esteri.it
Via Ferruccio Pelli 16 – 6901 Lugano – Tel. 0041 9 19133050 – Fax 0041 9 237578 – Web: www.conslugano.esteri.it – E-mail: consolato.lugano@esteri.it
Tödistrasse 67 – 8039 Zurich – Tel. 0041 44 2866111 – Fax 0041 44 2011611 – Web: www.conszurigo.esteri.it – E-mail: segreteria.zurigo@esteri.it