Includes information on business customs, travel advisory, visa requirements, currency, transportation, language health, local time, business hours, and holidays, temporary entry of materials or personal belongings.
Last Published: 2/14/2019

Business Customs

As a prosperous, highly developed democracy, Switzerland's business customs and practices are similar to those of other western European countries. While some American business representatives may find their Swiss counterparts somewhat conservative and formal, business customs in Switzerland correspond generally to those of the United States. Punctuality, particularly in German-speaking areas, is very important.  Allowing ample lead-time in setting up business appointments is expected and one should not expect to "drop in" without an appointment. The data privacy and control over business-relevant information is important for Swiss businesses. U.S. businesses should be prepared to address any related concerns by Swiss businesses when envisioning partnering with these companies.

Travel Advisory

Switzerland is generally a very safe country for travel, with a low rate of violent crime and an absence of terrorist attacks in recent history.  However, pick pocketing and purse snatchings occur, especially during peak tourist periods and during major conferences, shows, and exhibits. Loss or theft of a U.S. passport should be reported to the local police immediately and then to the American Embassy in Bern at +41 (0) 31 357 7011. Under most circumstances, a replacement can be issued within a working day.
The U.S. Department of State currently assigns Switzerland the lowest possible Travel Advisory Level of 1 which instructs travelers to exercise normal precautions.  Note, however, that conditions can change in a given country at any time, and that Switzerland maintains open borders with its neighboring Western European countries allowing potential terrorists to enter and exit the country anonymously. For travel advisory updates and general information on traveling to Switzerland, visit the State Department’s consular information sheet on Switzerland:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Switzerland.html 

Countrywide emergency telephone numbers are: Police 117; Fire 118; and Ambulance 144. There is usually an English-speaking contact available.

Visa Requirements

A valid passport with at least 90 days of validity beyond the day of departure from the Schengen area is required to enter Switzerland from a non-Schengen Zone country such as the United States. The U.S. Embassy recommends traveling with a passport valid for at least six months.  No visa is required for individuals who travel to Switzerland for tourist or business purposes for a duration of less than 90 days, but visas are required for stays exceeding 90 days.  If you are traveling to other Schengen zone countries, please note that you may stay for a total of 90 days in the Schengen zone (regardless of country).  Please review the U.S. Department of State’s guide to traveling in the Schengen zone here:  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/schengen.html.  

Swiss residency and work permits for longer stays or employment are difficult to obtain, as the Swiss government, at Cantonal level, imposes limitations on immigration and the country's foreign work force. Foreign citizens must have a work permit before commencing employment and the complicated process of obtaining a work visa can take several months. 

For more information on visa requirements, visit the Swiss Embassy in the United States’ website:
https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/usa/en/home/visa/entry-ch.html

The Consular Section of the Swiss Embassy in Washington, or the Swiss Consular Offices in Atlanta, Boston, New York, or San Francisco can offer more information and help with the process. 

U.S. companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should be advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following links:
State Department Visa Website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html/ 

Currency

Switzerland’s currency is the Swiss franc (CHF). Though some shops, restaurants, hotels, and ticket machines in larger cities may accept euros on occasion, travelers should expect to use Swiss francs for transactions. Cash is used for purchases more frequently than in the United States, but most hotels, businesses, and shops will accept credit cards. American Express, MasterCard, and VISA are the most common credit cards that American travelers can use in Switzerland. It is recommended to notify your bank in advance of overseas travel so that they do not mistake transactions abroad as fraudulent charges. 

Many ATMs are connected to the Cirrus or Maestro systems for cash withdrawal. While a currency exchange fee is typically attached to the withdrawal, using an ATM is usually cheaper than exchanging dollars for Swiss francs at a currency exchange booth in a train station or airport. 

Telecommunications/Electronics

Telecommunications are modern and, with on-going liberalization, dropping dramatically in price. Visiting U.S.-based business travelers may operate GSM-based cell phones in Switzerland. Cell phones are easily rented from vendors in Swiss airports. 
The standard voltage in Switzerland is 230V with a frequency of 50Hz. Type C (2-pin) and type J (3-pin) sockets are used (type C plugs will fit type J sockets). 

Transportation

The Swiss transportation infrastructure is excellent. The major international airports are in Zurich, Geneva and Basel and smaller airports are located throughout the country. Despite the country’s mountainous terrain, road and rail networks are very well maintained and efficient, though snow chains are required on some mountainous roads during the winter. High-speed trains link Zurich and Bern in one hour and Zurich and Geneva within two and a half hours. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html or at train stations. The public tram and bus systems in urban areas are punctual and safe.

Language

Switzerland is a multilingual country with four national languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansch. Swiss-German is spoken by the majority of Swiss in the central and northeast portions of the country. French is the principal language of Geneva and the western cantons. Italian is spoken in the south, especially in the canton of Ticino (Lugano/Locarno). About one percent of the population speaks Romansch; it maintains official status in the easternmost canton of Graubünden (Grisons). In business and tourist centers throughout the country, people will likely be able to communicate in English.

Health 

Switzerland has excellent health care facilities. Health services are expensive and U.S. medical insurance may not be valid outside the United States.  Very few health insurance companies pay for medical evacuation back to the United States. As such, travelers should check their insurance policies for specific overseas coverage, and the State Department strongly recommends supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation. 

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (Bundesamt für Gesundheit, https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home.html) to ensure the medication is legal in Switzerland. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. U.S. prescriptions cannot generally be filled in Switzerland, so bring enough medication for your trip. A Swiss physician can write Swiss prescriptions, but the available drugs may differ from those in the United States. 
Lastly, consult the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended list of vaccinations before traveling abroad to Switzerland: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list 

Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays

Switzerland is located in the Central European Time Zone. Local time in Switzerland is Central European Standard Time (CET) (GMT+1). In the summer months Switzerland observes daylight savings time (GMT+2). 

Generally, business hours during the week in Switzerland run from 8:00am to 12:00pm and from 2:00pm to 5:00pm with a lunch break in between. Except for restaurants, businesses and stores are closed on Sundays unless located in major train stations or airports.

Only the Swiss National Day on August 1 is designated a national holiday, though Easter, Christmas, and New Year are celebrated throughout the country. Others are determined at the cantonal level. For a list of holidays by canton, visit: https://publicholidays.ch/.

Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings

Traveling provisions, fuel already in the tank of a vehicle, and personal effects, including laptop computers, do not need to be declared and can enter Switzerland freely. However, goods in excess of CHF 300 must be declared at customs and will be charged duty and value added tax (VAT). ATA Carnets (customs documents allowing the transit of goods through the country) are used widely throughout Switzerland and Europe for products shown at trade exhibitions. Trade exhibit materials can enter freely with a Carnet as long as they leave the country after the event. If a product is sold at the exhibition, applicable duties and VAT must be paid. All international trade fairs in Switzerland have customs offices that facilitate the payment of fees and clearing of items in an expeditious fashion.

Travel Related Web Resources

U.S. Department of State’s consular information sheet on Switzerland:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Switzerland.html 

United States Embassy in Bern, Switzerland:
https://ch.usembassy.gov/ 

Switzerland’s embassy in the United States’.’ visa requirements page:
https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/usa/en/home/visa/entry-ch.html 

U.S. Department of State’s visa requirements page:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html/ 

Switzerland’s national rail transportation service:
https://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html

Swiss Federal Office of Public Heath:
https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home.html

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccine list:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list

List of Swiss holidays:
https://publicholidays.ch/
 

Prepared by the International Trade Administration. With its network of more than 100 offices across the United States and in more than 75 markets, the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.