Switzerland
About
| Switzerland is a stylish tourist destination offering countless outdoor adventures and contemporary urban stays. Small, mountainous and wealthy, Switzerland is renowned for its enviable quality of life in a country that ticks along like clockwork. Its products are sought after the world over, from delicious cheese and chocolate to luxurious watches. The mountains are the perfect place to get active, with ice climbing, ski touring, snowboarding, deep-snow skiing, heli-skiing and glacier walking on offer. Enjoy a lake cruise or ferry trip on Lake Zürich, Lake Geneva, or Lake Constance. Go to Basel for the Basler Fasnacht (a pre-Lenten carnival), with three days of grand masked parties and street parades with fancy costumes. |
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| Capital: | Bern (BRN) |
| Currency: | Swiss Franc (CHF) |
| Language: | German, French, Italian and Romansch. English is widely spoken. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 41 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT +1 (1 hour behind South Africa) |
| Daylight Savings Time: | From last Sunday in March – last Sunday in October: UTC / GMT +2 (same time as South Africa) |
| Public Holidays: |
Aug 1 (Individual states / provinces may observe additional holidays) |
| Side of the Road: | Right |
| Best Time to go: | Year round |
| Best For: | Skiing (winter only), Museums |
| Plugs: | 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Standard European round two-pin plugs and Swiss three-pin plugs are used. |
| Drinking Water: | Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. |
| Health: | There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. |
| Customs: | Normal social conventions. |
| Local Offences / Laws: | Littering is a serious social crime in Switzerland, and you should also make an effort to throw your recyclables in the proper receptacle. |
| Duty Free: | The following items may be imported into Switzerland by travellers over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty: • 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco. • 2L of alcohol up to 15% volume and 1L of alcohol over 15% volume. • Gifts up to a value of SFr300. |
| Prohibited Imports: | Prohibited or restricted goods include endangered species, cash and foreign currency, narcotics, counterfeit goods, cultural property, medicines, plants, radar warning devices, animals and animal products, and weapons. |
| Prohibited Exports: | Unlicensed firearms, counterfeit goods and narcotics. You must declare any cultural property. |
Issuing Authorities
Embassy of Switzerland
225 Veale Street, Parc Nouveau, New Muckleneuk, 0181
Tel: 012 452 0660
E-mail: pretoria@eda.admin.ch
Web: www.eda.admin.ch/pretoria
Mon-Fri: 09:00-12:00
Consulate General of Switzerland
Two Foreshore Place, 32nd floor, suite 3201, 2 Riebeek Street, Cape Town
Tel: 021 400 7500
E-mail: capetown@eda.admin.ch
Web: www.eda.admin.ch/capetown
By appointment only.
Visa applications are through VFS Global.
Public Holidays 2025: Aug 1 (Individual states / provinces may observe additional holidays)
Public Holidays 2026: Aug 1 (Individual states / provinces may observe additional holidays)
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by South African passport holders.
Switzerland is a member of the Schengen Agreement.
- If you intend to visit only Switzerland, you must apply at the Embassy of Switzerland / Visa Application Centre.
- If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate that is your main destination / longest stay.
- If you intend to visit several countries but are spending an equal number of days in each, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country of your first point of entry.
Visa applications are through VFS Global.
VFS Global
Tel: 012 425 3017
Web: visa.vfsglobal.com/zaf/en/che/
NOTE: No walk-ins allowed
Cape Town: 8th Floor, 2 Long Street, Cape Town, 8001
Durban: Unit 409, 4th Floor, 91 -123 Cowey Road (Problem Mkhize Road) Essenwood, Durban
Pretoria: Brooklyn Pavilion, First floor, 316 Tram Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Brooklyn, Pretoria
REQUIREMENTS
See General Schengen Visa Requirements.
In addition:
- 1 Schengen visa application form duly filled in by computer, dated and signed.
- MINORS: both parents must sign application form. If parents are travelling with minor, then valid Schengen visa of parents must be submitted.
- Round trip flight reservation (do not buy ticket until visa is approved).
- If applicable: proof of Inter-Schengen travel (car rental/flights/train and/or bus tickets).
- Proof of sufficient funds: Note that the minimum requirement is CHF 100 (students CHF 30) per day in the Schengen area
- Photocopy of the passport page containing the personal data.
- Checklist must be signed
Visa Processing Time
Usually 15 days. Applications may not be submitted more than 6 months in advance.
Visa Validity
Up to 90 days over a period of 180 days.
Visa Cost
Schengen Visa: EUR90 (ZAR 1800)
Minors: EUR45 (ZAR 950)
Under 6: Free
VFS Service Fee: ZAR 476
Payable in rands - fees are subject to change based on fluctuating exchange rate. Fees can be paid by debit / credit card or direct bank deposit to VFS.
All fees are non-refundable.
SA Representative
South African Embassy
Alpenstrasse 29, 3006 Berne
Tel: +41(0)31 350 13 13
E-mail: bern.consular@dirco.gov.za
Web: dirco.gov.za/berne/the-embassy
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | None |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio |
