Travel & safety — Switzerland

Switzerland remains largely free of terrorist incidents; however, like other countries in the Schengen area, Switzerland’s open borders with its Western European neighbors allow for the possibility of terrorist groups entering/exiting the country anonymously.

You should remain vigilant with regard to your personal security.

Although there have been no recent terrorist attacks in Switzerland, violence by anti-globalization, anti-Semitic, and anti-establishment (anarchist) groups does occur from time to time.

This violence is typically in the form of property damage and clashes between these groups and the police.

The potential for specific threats of violence involving U.S. citizens in Switzerland is remote.

Nevertheless, the Consular Agencies in Zurich and Geneva may close periodically to assess their security situation.

Public demonstrations occasionally take place mostly in Zurich, Geneva, and Bern.

These events are almost always known in advance to the police, who provide appropriate personnel to observe them and maintain order.

Such demonstrations rarely turn violent; nonetheless, you should avoid them if at all possible.

Switzerland has a low rate of violent crime; however, crimes of all types which may include violence do occur.

Pick-pocketing and purse snatching are the most common and frequently occur in the vicinity of train and bus stations, airports, and some public parks, especially during peak tourist periods (such as summer and Christmas) and when conferences, shows, or exhibits are scheduled in major cities.

Be especially vigilant in the airports and railway stations in both Zurich and Geneva, as these locations experience multiple incidents of petty theft almost every day.

You should be careful on trains, especially on overnight trains to neighboring countries.

Thieves, who steal from passengers while they sleep, can enter even locked sleeping compartments.

Thieves have been known to work in pairs to target train passengers; while one member of the pair creates a diversion at a train window or on a platform, the other steals items you have left briefly unattended.

In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available.

Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law.

In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Switzerland is 144 for medical/ambulance services; 117 for the police department; and 118 for the fire department.

While you are traveling in Switzerland, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S.citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own.

In Switzerland it is expected that citizens and visitors carry an I.D. and/or a passport.

Should the police stop you, and you are without an I.D., it is possible that you may be taken in for questioning.

This is the decision of the individual police officer.

Travelers should also be aware that photography is not allowed in certain areas (for example, at military airports).

Please observe posted signs regarding photography.

Driving under the influence of alcohol can lead to heavy fines and/or a ban from driving or in severe cases, a jail sentence, depending on the percentage of alcohol in the blood.

Swiss law only allows up to 0.05% blood alcohol content (whereas the legal limit in the United States is 0.08%).

Driving speeds in Switzerland are also much slower than in the rest of Europe and vary from area to area.

In residential areas the speed limit is 30 km/h (18.6 m/h), on urban roads 50 km/h (31 m/h), on rural roads 80 km/h (49.7 m/h), on minor highways 100 km/h (62 m/h) and on the Autobahn 120 km/h (74.5 m/h).

Travelers are advised to carefully observe the posted speed limits.

Traffic fines are costly and vary according to where the infraction occurs and by how much one exceeds the speed limit.

Fines assessed within the city limits are higher than those assessed on a highway or autobahn.

Drug possession carries heavy fines and prison terms in Switzerland; these can vary depending on the amount and type of narcotics carried.

Any attempt to cross an international border carrying drugs (for instance transiting Switzerland via Zurich airport) automatically constitutes trafficking charges.

These charges can also carry heavy penalties.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Switzerland, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

Switzerland, through its 26 cantons (states), has programs to assist victims of crime and their immediate relatives.

While in Switzerland, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

Although many roads are mountainous and winding, Swiss road safety standards are high.

In some mountain areas, vehicle snow chains are required in winter.

Road travel can be more dangerous during summer, winter holidays, the Easter break, and Whitsunday weekend (late spring) because of increased traffic.

Travel on expressways (indicated by green signs with a white expressway symbol) requires purchase of a sticker (“vignette”), which must be affixed to the car’s windshield.

Vignettes can be purchased at most border crossings points, gas stations and Swiss post offices.

Drivers using the highway system without a vignette are subject to hefty fines levied on the spot.

Public transportation in Switzerland is excellent and punctual.

The Swiss tourist office and train station are the best place to obtain information about special fares for tourists.