Switzerland is one of the smallest countries in Europe and the second most developed country in the world. This landlocked country situated in the heart of Alps is known around the world for its democracy and the neutral stance towards the world. Switzerland is truly an incredible place, it is the only country with no official capital city and where every citizen has a set of arms at home in case of any turmoil. Switzerland is predominantly visited for the variety of mountain activities it provides.

Traveling info

Although Switzerland is not part of the EU it is part of the EFTA meaning that citizens of nations who are part of EU or EFTA can move freely into and out of Switzerland however people who want to stay in Switzerland for a time period exceeding 3 months are required to obtain a Swiss residence permit. (link in sources). Citizens of countries which are not part of the EFTA or EU may be required to obtain a visa in order to enter Switzerland depending on their nationality. (Link for visa requirements in sources). Visitors who decide to drive in Switzerland must have their domestic driving permit, insurance certificate if driving in a private car, or the rental agreement if driving a rental car. Citizens whose licenses are not written in one of the official languages of Switzerland or English are required to obtain an international driving permit. Driving on the Swiss motorways requires the purchase of Vignette. A vignette is a form of highway toll in the form of a sticker which is to be placed on the inside of the windshield. Such sticker may be purchased at any border crossing into Switzerland and at any gas station around the country.

Traveling hazards

Switzerland has very high standards of road safety. Driving in the country is safe however may be dangerous during the winter on the mountain roads. Certain routes will require tire chains to drive on due to heavy snowfall. Although roads are being deiced, snowfall in the mountains gets very heavy. Public transport is cheap, very punctual and among the most modern in the world. The Swiss tourist office and railway stations are the best way to obtain information about special fares for tourists.

Environmental hazards

Although Switzerland has a wide variety of fauna very few species are dangerous for humans. Wolves and bears in Switzerland are so few that meeting these is extremely unlikely with roughly 3 bears left in the country an estimated two packs of wolves. Although these animals are rare there are vipers which are poisonous and capable of killing a grown adult if the bite is left untreated. It is advised to avoid all encountered snakes in Switzerland. The European adder with a black zigzag on its back is the most commonly met in the country. Switzerland is a landlocked country however it has many lakes which are safe to swim in.
Most serious natural hazards in Switzerland mostly involve mountains. Rock slides, debris flows, avalanches are all common and serious threats to infrastructure, urban areas, and human lives. Earthquakes are a rare occurrence in the country however there have been instances of serious earthquakes that caused a lot of damage, therefore, earthquakes are not negligible.

Health hazards

There are currently no outbreaks of any diseases nor are there any vaccination requirements, there are however recommendations. These recommended vaccines are the routine vaccines, hepatitis A and B and rabies vaccine. Switzerland has some of the best healthcare facilities in the world. Both Public and private facilities provide a very high quality of service. Although state-owned healthcare is free for Swiss people, it is not for the expats. The holders of European Health Insurance Card can access Swiss state-owned healthcare facilities and receive services however these will still cost but the price is significantly reduced. It is advised to purchase health insurance in order to receive treatment in public or private facilities without being charged orbital sums.
In case of an emergency dial 112.

Crime

Switzerland is one of the safest countries in Europe and the world. The crime rate is very low with almost no violent crime. Petty crime does occur however it is less common than elsewhere. To minimize the chance of falling a victim of theft it is best to stay vigilant while handling money and in crowded places to avoid pickpockets. Money belts are a cheap and efficient way of keeping money, credit cards or important personal documents out of the reach of thieves. Exploring Switzerland both at day and night time is considered safe however it is recommended to avoid secluded places at night. Swiss drug policy forbids the use of narcotics however addicts who are citizens or residents of Switzerland are provided with reduced amounts of methadone to eventually cut it off and completely treat the addiction. Although the method is unique to the country it has reduced the number of addictions among the Swiss citizens.

Summary

Switzerland is certainly one of a kind. This relatively small European country offers a variety of attractions including the ability to travel through the European grand canyon or climbing the world’s most photographed mountain going by the name of Matterhorn. The country boasts hundreds of incredible castles and palaces such as Chateau de Chillon, Tarasp castle or the Tourbillon castle. All of these incredible landmarks and much more await exploration. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/switzerland-visa/
https://www.ch.ch/en/short-term-stays-switzerland/
https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/publiservice/weisungen-kreisschreiben/visa
(Residency in Switzerland)
https://www.ch.ch/en/renewal-overview-swiss-residence-permit/
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/switzerland