Business hours

Business hours in Switzerland are not uniformly regulated but usually correspond to the following times:

Banks: Mon-Fri 08:30-12:00 and 14:00-16:30/17:30 (partially open for lunch)

Post offices: Mon-Fri 08:00-12:00 and 14:00-18:00, Sat 08:00-11:00 clock (partially open for lunch)

Department stores: Mon-Fri 08:30-18:30, Sat 08:30-18.00. Shops are closed on Sunday except at airports, certain train stations, motorway service areas, and the Alpenrhein Outlet Village Shopping.

Public authorities and offices: Mon-Fri 08:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:00/18:00 (partially open also for lunch)

2012 Holidays

New Year: 01 January

Good Friday: 29 March

Easter Monday: 01 April

Ascension: 09 May

Pentecost: 19 May

Whit Monday: 20 May

National holiday: 01 August

Christmas: 25 December

Boxing Day: 26 December

Water

In Switzerland, both tap and well water are drinkable and of excellent quality.

Electricity

220 V AC, as in Germany and Austria. Euro plugs do not always fit into Swiss plug sockets so we recommend using a southern-European adapter with narrower contacts.

Entry requirements

Please find detailed information on Switzerland’s entry requirements

Important phone numbers

Police: 117

Fire department: 118

Ambulance / Emergency: 144

Swiss Air Rescue REGA: 1414

Breakdown service of Switzerland’s Touring Club (TCS): 140

Weather information: 162

Avalanche bulletin: 187

Road conditions: 163

General information for doctors, theatre, etc.: 1811

International dialling codes: Switzerland 0041, Germany 0049, Austria 0043, Netherlands 0031, Belgium 0032, England / GB 0044, Poland 0048, Czech Republic 00420

Electronic telephone book