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Last Updated:
November 2, 2007 15:23
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Still Valid: November 15, 2007 23:20 EST |
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1. RECENT UPDATES Sections 1, 2 and 3 of this Travel Report have been updated. BACK TO TOP 2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS There is no Official Warning for this country. Switzerland
There are no serious safety or security concerns and most Canadian visitors do not experience problems. OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad. BACK TO TOP 3. SAFETY AND SECURITY The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions. Petty crime has increased, particularly in Berne, Zurich and Geneva. Pick-pocketing and purse snatching occur in public areas, such as in restaurants, at ATMs, in parks, on the street, at airports, on public transportation, and in train and bus stations. Thieves often operate in tandem, with one distracting the traveller while another snatches any valuables. Never leave bags containing money, airline tickets, credit cards, or passports in the trunk of a parked car or anything on car seats. Travellers should exercise caution on trains, especially on overnight trips to neighbouring countries. Emergency numbers are: police 117, ambulance 144, and roadside assistance 140. BACK TO TOP 4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Swiss authorities and was valid on March 24, 2007. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change. It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of Switzerland, where you can obtain further up-to-date information on entry and exit requirements. A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Switzerland. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Canadians should also be ready to present proof of funds and a return ticket to a customs officer upon request. Tourist Visa: Not required Business Visa: Not required (max. 90 days; not required if remunerated for less than 8 days) Student Visa: Required (for more than 90 days) Schengen Area The member states of the European Union (EU) (not including the United Kingdom and Ireland) along with Norway and Iceland make up the Schengen Area, which aims for common rules regarding visas, asylum rights and controls at the external borders. In the Schengen Area, Canadian travellers do not need visas for short-term visits (up to 90 days), but some countries require you to register with local authorities within three working days of your arrival. It is important to get your passport stamped when entering the Schengen Area. The absence of an entry stamp from the initial Schengen port of entry could create difficulties during subsequent encounters with local police or other authorities. It is important to confirm the up-to-date entry requirements with each embassy and/or high commission of your destination(s) before departure. Countries that have implemented the Schengen Agreement – border controls abolished and one single external frontier Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, Spain, along with Norway and Iceland Countries that are not yet fully part of the Schengen Agreement – visa requirements were adjusted to comply with the EU’s common visa policy, but controls are still in place at the borders as the EU's external frontiers do not include them yet Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Note: Although Switzerland signed an association agreement to become part of the Schengen Area in 2004, the principles don’t apply yet. Implementation is expected in 2008. Countries that are not part of the Schengen Area, but might have special arrangements with neighbouring countries Andorra, Holy See, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, and the United Kingdom. A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada. Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services. Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders. A new EU legislation on the amount of cash that can be carried has been implemented on June 15, 2007. Canadians crossing one of the external border control points of the EU will have to make a declaration to customs upon entry or exit if they have at least 10,000 euros, or the equivalent in other currencies, in cash, cheques, money orders, traveller's cheques, or any other convertible assets in their possession. Failure to report such a sum will be considered an offence. This does not apply to Canadians travelling within the EU or in transit to a non-EU country. The purpose of this legislation is to prevent illegal activities, such as money laundering. For more information on the new EU legislation and links to EU countries' sites, consult http://ec.europa.eu/eucashcontrols. Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order. Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada. BACK TO TOP 5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address: Switzerland - BERNE, Embassy of Canada Address: Kirchenfeldstrasse 88, CH-3005 Berne, Switzerland Postal Address: P.O. Box 234, CH-3000, Berne, 6 Tel.: 41 (31) 357 3200 Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 00-800-2326-6831 Fax: 41 (31) 357 3210 E-Mail: bern@international.gc.ca Internet: http://www.berne.gc.ca The consular section of the Permanent Mission of Canada to the Office of the United Nations has consular responsibility for Canadians in the canton of Geneva. The address is as follows: Switzerland - GENEVA, Permanent Mission of Canada to the Office of the United Nations Address: 5, avenue de l'Ariana, CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland Tel.: 41 (22) 919-92-00 Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 00-800-2326-6831 Fax: 41 (22) 919-92-33 E-Mail: genev@international.gc.ca Internet: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canada_un/geneva/ For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Berne or, if you are in the canton of Geneva, the Permanent Mission, and follow the instructions. You may also call the Department in Ottawa toll-free at 00 800 2326-6831. BACK TO TOP 6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and Switzerland are signatories to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, which enables a Canadian imprisoned in Switzerland to request to be transferred to Canada to complete the sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Swiss authorities. Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request. The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare. Canadians with dual nationality or who are eligible for Swiss citizenship may be subject to compulsory military service and other aspects of Swiss law. Dual nationality may limit the ability of Canadian officials to provide consular services. Canadians should check their status at a Swiss embassy or consulate. Penalties for drinking and driving are strict and can be very expensive. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.5. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines or jail sentences, and driving licences may be confiscated immediately. BACK TO TOP 7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY Although many roads are mountainous and winding, road conditions and safety standards are very good. In winter, snow tires are required and snow chains may be required as well in some mountain areas. Highway travel requires the purchase of a sticker ("vignette"), which must be affixed to the car's windshield. Stickers can be purchased - valid for a year at a cost of 40 Swiss francs - at most border crossing points, tourist offices, gas stations along highways, and post offices. Drivers using the highway system without the sticker are subject to hefty fines levied on the spot. Travellers with a valid Canadian driver's licence can drive in Switzerland but are advised to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) in order to meet the requirements of some car rental agencies. Public transportation is excellent. For high-altitude mountaineering and ski touring, travellers should hire a professional guide. Mountaineers and skiers should note that mountain rescue is expensive and often not included in standard travel insurance. Special insurance should be purchased to cover such activities and the prohibitive costs of search-and-rescue and evacuation operations by helicopter. Special avalanche beacons can be purchased or rented to help locate buried victims. Avoid hiking alone. If you do, tell a friend, relative, or somebody else of your destination, your planned route, and your expected time of return. The currency is the Swiss franc (CHF). However, a growing number of Swiss shops and facilities accept euros as payment, although change is returned in Swiss francs. ATMs are known as bancomat.Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on Automated Banking Machine ( BACK TO TOP 8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE Avalanches present a risk. The weather in mountainous areas can be unpredictable. If you are planning a mountaineering or skiing holiday, you are advised to visit the Switzerland Tourism website for information on weather and safety conditions. Always follow carefully the advice of local authorities. BACK TO TOP 9. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site. The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to closely monitor and report on occurrences of avian influenza A (H5N1), or "bird flu", in humans and in birds. Further information on avian influenza A (H5N1) and recommendations for travellers can be found on the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site as well as on the World Health Organization's Web site. For more information, see our Current Issues on Avian Influenza. The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date. Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage. The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada. BACK TO TOP 10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION Good medical care is widely available. Immediate cash payment may be required. Medical and hospitalization costs are considerably more expensive in Switzerland than in Canada. It is recommended to visiting Canadians that additional medical travel coverage be purchased. BACK TO TOP 11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Returning to Canada Traveller's Checklist Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. See Canada's Health Portal. Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Adoption: Adoption by foreigners is almost impossible in this country. BACK TO TOP 12. ANNEX N/A BACK TO TOP |
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