Photo: Raphael Assouline / Unsplash
Practical info for Switzerland
Emergencies, embassy, entry requirements, money: the essentials before you go, with the official source and the date each piece of information was checked.
Embassy and entry requirements shown for travellers from: United Kingdom.
Emergency numbers
Official sources give different numbers for some services: each number is shown with its source.
- Single emergency numberaccording to GOV.UK, 11/08/2026; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 30/06/2026112
- Single emergency numberaccording to France Diplomatie, 15/09/2026140
- Policeaccording to France Diplomatie, 15/09/2026 ; according to GOV.UK, 11/08/2026 ; according to the French embassy, 16/07/2026 ; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 30/06/2026117
- Medical emergenciesaccording to France Diplomatie, 15/09/2026 ; according to GOV.UK, 11/08/2026 ; according to the French embassy, 16/07/2026 ; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 30/06/2026144
- Fire brigadeaccording to France Diplomatie, 15/09/2026 ; according to GOV.UK, 11/08/2026 ; according to the French embassy, 16/07/2026 ; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 30/06/2026118
Source: France Diplomatie, GOV.UK, French embassy, Portal das Comunidades Portuguesas, Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych RP · verified on 26/10/2026
Embassy and consulates
- British Embassy BerneEmbassy
- Address
- Thunstrasse 50, Berne, 3005, Switzerland
- Consular emergency line
- To call us in an emergency or send us an online enquiry go to: https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/posts/switzerland/british-embassy-berne
Consular emergency numbers (emergencies only): FCDO, London (24 hours): +44 20 7008 5000.
Entry requirements
The rules depend on your passport: check them here before you book, for every traveller, children included.
Official page: GOV.UK (FCDO), updated 11/08/2026 ›
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Safety and travel advice
The FCDO does not currently advise against travel to any part of this country.
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Currency and payments
Currency: Swiss franc (CHF).
ECB reference rate on 26/10/2026: €1 = 0.9243 CHF.
Source: SIX Group (ISO 4217), European Central Bank, EU Publications Office · verified on 26/10/2026
Time difference
Local time: UTC+01:00, +1 h compared with London (calculated on 26/10/2026).
Next clock change: 28/03/2027 (UTC+02:00).
The clocks change in London on 28/03/2027: the difference may change that day.
Source: IANA (time zones) · verified on 26/10/2026
Driving
Driving licence, according to GOV.UK (FCDO): “You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Switzerland. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the 1968 version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.”
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Mobile networks
Networks listed by the eSIMs we checked: Sunrise (Sirocco, Airalo); Salt (Sirocco); Salt/Orange (Sirocco); Swisscom (Sirocco); TDC Sunrise (Sirocco).
eSIM prices for Switzerland
7 days, 5 GB · prices checked on 26/10/2026
3 brands compared, not an exhaustive listWhy this ranking?
Ranked by price: for each brand, the cheapest plan that covers 7 days and 5 GB.
Not an exhaustive comparison: 3 brands out of the dozens that sell eSIMs. The list of brands compared is in our Methodology.
eSIMeter is published by Mocom SAS, which sells Sirocco: the site is funded by those sales. No other brand pays us.
Frequently asked questions
What are the emergency numbers in Switzerland?
Single emergency number: 112 (according to GOV.UK, 11/08/2026; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 30/06/2026) ; Single emergency number: 140 (according to France Diplomatie, 15/09/2026) ; Police: 117 (according to France Diplomatie, 15/09/2026 ; according to GOV.UK, 11/08/2026 ; according to the French embassy, 16/07/2026 ; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 30/06/2026) ; Medical emergencies: 144 (according to France Diplomatie, 15/09/2026 ; according to GOV.UK, 11/08/2026 ; according to the French embassy, 16/07/2026 ; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 30/06/2026) ; Fire brigade: 118 (according to France Diplomatie, 15/09/2026 ; according to GOV.UK, 11/08/2026 ; according to the French embassy, 16/07/2026 ; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 30/06/2026). Official sources give different numbers for some services: each number is shown with its source.
How do I contact the embassy or consulate in Switzerland?
British Embassy Berne, Thunstrasse 50, Berne, 3005, Switzerland. Consular emergency numbers (emergencies only): FCDO, London (24 hours): +44 20 7008 5000.
What are the entry requirements for Switzerland?
The rules depend on your passport: check them here before you book, for every traveller, children included. Official page: GOV.UK (FCDO), updated 11/08/2026.
What is the travel advice for Switzerland?
The FCDO does not currently advise against travel to any part of this country.
What currency is used in Switzerland?
Currency: Swiss franc (CHF). ECB reference rate on 26/10/2026: €1 = 0.9243 CHF.
What is the time difference in Switzerland?
Local time: UTC+01:00, +1 h compared with London (calculated on 26/10/2026). Next clock change: 28/03/2027 (UTC+02:00). The clocks change in London on 28/03/2027: the difference may change that day.
What should I know about driving in Switzerland?
Driving licence, according to GOV.UK (FCDO): “You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Switzerland. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the 1968 version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.”
Which mobile networks operate in Switzerland?
Networks listed by the eSIMs we checked: Sunrise (Sirocco, Airalo); Salt (Sirocco); Salt/Orange (Sirocco); Swisscom (Sirocco); TDC Sunrise (Sirocco).