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Schweiz: was man vor der Reise wissen sollte

Das Wichtigste

  • Switzerland is in Schengen but not in the EU: separate customs rules (CHF 150 duty-free limit) and no EU roaming.
  • Currency is the Swiss franc (CHF). Euros are sometimes accepted, but at poor rates with change in CHF.
  • Motorways need a vignette (CHF 40, e-vignette at via.admin.ch); speeding fines are very high.
  • Prices are among the highest in Europe; healthcare is very expensive, so get insurance.

Einreise und Visa

Switzerland is in the Schengen area. Non-EU visitors are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) on first entry: fingerprints and a facial photo, no passport stamps. Visa-free visitors may stay 90 days in any 180 across all Schengen states. ETIAS is not operating yet: its launch is now expected in 2027, so ignore sites selling "ETIAS" approvals. Switzerland is not in the EU: customs checks apply at every border.

Gültigkeit des Reisepasses: Non-EU passports: valid at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area and issued within the last 10 years.

An der Grenze kann verlangt werden

  • EES registration at the first Schengen border: fingerprints and face photo (children under 12 give no fingerprints). Allow extra time at passport control.
  • Border guards may ask for a return ticket, accommodation proof, travel insurance and funds for your stay.
  • Your 90/180 days are counted across all Schengen states together; use the EU short-stay calculator to check.

Zoll

  • Duty-free goods up to CHF 150 per person per day; above that, VAT is due on the full value.
  • Duty-free per person: 1 kg meat, 1 kg/L butter or cream, 5 L drinks under 18% or 1 L over 18%, 250 cigarettes (17+).
  • Meat and animal products are allowed only from the EU, Norway, Iceland and Northern Ireland; from elsewhere they are banned.
  • Declare cash of CHF 10,000 or more if asked by customs.
  • Switzerland is not in the EU customs union: you may be checked when crossing from any neighbour.

Geprüft am 29. Oktober 2026 · Quellen: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu ↗, travel-europe.europa.eu ↗, home-affairs.ec.europa.eu ↗, home-affairs.ec.europa.eu ↗, taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu ↗, finance.ec.europa.eu ↗, bazg.admin.ch ↗, gov.pl ↗

Geld

Kartenzahlung fast überall möglich. Karten werden fast überall akzeptiert.

Zahlungsnetze: Visa, Mastercard, Amex

Apple Pay — funktioniert · Google Pay — funktioniert

Wo man gut wechselt

  • Pay by card, phone or TWINT; accepted almost everywhere.
  • Bank ATMs (UBS, PostFinance, cantonal banks).
  • Exchange at SBB railway station counters, which offer fair rates.

Wo man besser nicht wechselt

  • Paying in euros (poor rate, change in CHF).
  • Airport exchange bureaux.
  • Accepting conversion to your home currency.

Geldautomaten: Most Swiss bank ATMs charge no local fee; your bank may. Choose CHF when asked.

Trinkgeld: Service is included by law. Round up or leave 5-10% for good service.

  • When a card terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and pay in local currency: dynamic currency conversion adds roughly 3-10%.
  • Cards issued by Russian banks (Visa, Mastercard and Mir) do not work here because of sanctions; bring enough cash or a card from a non-Russian bank.
  • TWINT is the local payment app, usable with Swiss bank accounts only.

Geprüft am 29. Oktober 2026 · Quellen: myswitzerland.com ↗, gov.uk ↗, snb.ch ↗, support.apple.com ↗

Regeln und Verbote

Verboten

  • Driving on motorways without a vignette: CHF 200 fine plus the vignette.
  • Speeding: fines are steep and can be income-based; serious cases mean prison.
  • Radar detectors and dashcam warnings for speed cameras are illegal.
  • Loud noise on Sundays and at night (e.g. mowing, recycling glass) breaks local rules.
  • Dumping rubbish or using non-official bags in many cantons: fines.
  • Drones near airports, crowds and nature reserves are banned.
  • Burqa/face covering ban in public spaces since 2025: fines up to CHF 1,000.

Gesetze, gegen die Reisende unwissentlich verstoßen

  • Carry ID.
  • Drink-drive limit 0.5 g/l (0.1 for new drivers).
  • Headlights on at all times when driving.

Geprüft am 29. Oktober 2026 · Quellen: gov.uk ↗, via.admin.ch ↗, myswitzerland.com ↗, bazg.admin.ch ↗

Kultur und Kleidung

Religion: Catholic and Protestant heritage with many non-religious; Muslim minority.

Kleidung: Neat and practical; proper footwear and layers in the mountains.

Umgangsformen

  • Be punctual: trains run to the minute.
  • Greet with "Grüezi" (German), "Bonjour" (French), "Buongiorno" (Italian).
  • Sundays are quiet; most shops close.
  • Recycle carefully.

Geprüft am 29. Oktober 2026 · Quellen: myswitzerland.com ↗

Klima

Temperate in the lowlands, alpine in the mountains; Ticino is milder. Figures are Zurich average highs/lows.

Monat für Monat
  • Januar: Jan: 3/-2°C, cold; ski season
  • Februar: Feb: 5/-2°C, cold; ski
  • März: Mar: 10/1°C, cool; spring skiing
  • April: Apr: 14/4°C, mild
  • Mai: May: 19/8°C, pleasant; passes opening
  • Juni: Jun: 22/12°C, warm; hiking
  • Juli: Jul: 24/14°C, warm, storms
  • August: Aug: 24/13°C, warm; high Alps
  • September: Sep: 19/10°C, mild, clear
  • Oktober: Oct: 14/6°C, cool, golden
  • November: Nov: 8/2°C, grey; resorts closed
  • Dezember: Dec: 4/-1°C, cold; ski opens

Beste Reisezeit: June-September for hiking; December-April for skiing.

Geprüft am 29. Oktober 2026 · Quellen: meteoswiss.admin.ch ↗, myswitzerland.com ↗

Was einpacken

  • Type J adapter (Type C fits; Type E/F plugs do not)
  • Layers and waterproofs for the mountains
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen at altitude
  • Hiking shoes
  • Refillable bottle (free fountains)

Nicht mitnehmen / Einfuhr verboten

  • Over CHF 150 of goods without declaring.
  • Meat from outside the EU/EEA.
  • Driving on motorways without a vignette.

Praktisches

Steckdosen: Type J (Type C fits); 230 V, 50 Hz

Wasser: Tap water and most public fountains are excellent and safe.

Verkehr: Rechtsverkehr

Mobilfunk und eSIM: Not in the EU roaming zone: many EU plans charge in Switzerland. Use a Swiss prepaid SIM (Swisscom, Sunrise, Salt) or an eSIM.

Apps: SBB Mobile, MeteoSwiss, SwitzerlandMobility, Rega, Uber

Internet: Excellent 4G/5G, even in many mountain areas.

Gesundheit: Healthcare is excellent but very expensive. EU/EEA citizens can use the EHIC; others pay in full. Bring insurance covering mountain rescue.

Versicherung: Schengen visa holders need EUR 30,000+ medical cover. For everyone: insurance including mountain rescue is strongly advised.

Notruf: 112; 117 police, 144 ambulance, 118 fire, 1414 Rega air rescue

Geprüft am 29. Oktober 2026 · Quellen: myswitzerland.com ↗, gov.uk ↗, rega.ch ↗

Einreiseregeln ändern sich. Prüfen Sie vor der Reise die Website der Botschaft oder Einwanderungsbehörde des Landes.