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Switzerland

COUNTRY GUIDE

Discover the world as an LGBTQIA+ traveller
SWITZERLAND
(pronounced - swit-suh-luhnd | ˈswɪtsələnd)
OFFICIAL NAME: Swiss Confederation
DEMONYMS: Swiss, European
Switzerland is part of the Western Europe region in the continent of Europe. Switzerland is also known as the Land of Milk and Honey. It is in the Northern hemisphere and is 41.3 thousand square kilometres in size. The primary languages spoken are German, French, Italian and Romansh; the capital city is Bern and the main currency used is the Swiss Franc.
LGBTQIA+ Equality Index
Very High
LGBTQIA+ Dollar
c.11 billion
LGBTQIA+ Population
c.232.2 thousand
ALLOW SAME-SEX MARRIAGES
Yes
RECOGNISE GENDER CHANGE
Yes
BANNING GAY CONVERSION THERAPY
Yes

REGIONAL

  LIST OF REGIONS
click here  Click on the button to view a specific region
Central Mini Map
CENTRAL
Centrale (fr) | Zentrales (de) | Central (es) | Centrale (it) | Centraal (du) | Central (pt)
East Mini Map
EAST
Est (fr) | Ost (de) | Este (es) | Est (it) | Oosten (du) | Este (pt)
West Mini Map
WEST
Ouest (fr) | West (de) | Oeste (es) | Ovest (it) | Westen (du) | Oeste (pt)

Geography

Interactive Map Icons - Geo (Capital) - Light (200px)

CAPITAL

Berne

Interactive Map Icons - Geo (Region) - Light (200px)

REGION

Western Europe

Interactive Map Icons - Geo (Continent) - Light (200px)

CONTINENT

Europe

Interactive Map Icons - Geo (Hemisphere) - Light (200px)

HEMISPHERE

Northern

Interactive Map Icons - Geo (Area) - Light (200px)

AREA

41290

(square kilometers)

Interactive Map Icons - Geo (Oceans) - Light (200px)

SURROUNDING OCEAN(S)

Landlocked

Region Image

Name in other languages

learn the literal translations of the country’s name in twelve of the most popular languages
English Flag
English
Switzerland
Mandarin Flag
Mandarin
瑞士
Dutch Flag
Dutch
Zwitserland
Spanish Flag
Spanish
Suiza
Arabic Flag
Arabic
سويسرا
Portuguese Flag
Portuguese
Suíça
French Flag
French
Suisse
Hebrew Flag
Hebrew
שווייץ
Russian Flag
Russian
Швейцария
German Flag
German
Schweiz
Hindi Flag
Hindi
स्विट्ज़रलैंड
Japanese Flag
Japanese
スイス

LGBTQIA+ COUNTRY & REGION GUIDES

With countries around the world treating members of the LGBTQIA+ community differently, planning an overseas trip can be challenging. With over 233 country and 435 regional guides, Gayther guides provide you with all the information you need when planning your trip. From LGBTQIA equality to essential travel information, discover Gayther guides today

NOTIFICATIONS

LAST UPDATED:  April 25, 2023
×  GENERALLY SAFE TO TRAVEL  | The country has some or many progressive laws, and the LGBGTQIA+ community living and visiting have equal rights in many areas...read more

Latest

| STATUS

  • There are currently no known issues or armed conflicts taking place within this country. It is advised that you consult your country's foreign or overseas department before you travel. Your government's ministry will provide you with the latest information and guidance as to whether it is safe to travel to this country (or to parts of it)
  • The country has some or many progressive laws, and the LGBGTQIA+ community living and visiting have equal rights in many areas. Generally, it is likely safe to travel in cities; however, some discretion may be required in rural or less populated areas. It is always recommended that you carry out independent research before travelling
  • GENDER IDENTITY/EXPRESSION | The country has some laws in place regarding gender identity and expression
  • LGBTQIA+ ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS | This country has laws in place that bans all forms of discrimination. Laws that protect those community members living or visiting from discrimination
WHO Covid19 Update Service
DISCOVER THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CURRENT SITUATION, FROM NEW TO CONFIRMED CASES



Government

| INFORMATION

Interactive Map Icons - Foreign Office (200px)
SWITZERLAND
FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
eidgenössisches departement für auswärtige angelegenheiten | département fédéral des affaires étrangères | dipartimento federale degli affari esteri | departament federal d’affars exteriurs
The foreign office or ministry is typically a department within a government that focuses on promoting that particular country and what it represents worldwide. The department will often highlight national security, travel restrictions, visa requirements and all relevant foreign policies
Interactive Map Icons - Medical Body (200px)
SWITZERLAND
FEDERAL OFFICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH
bundesamt für gesundheit | office fédéral de la santé publique | ufficio federale della sanità pubblica | uffizi federal da sanadad publica
The health office or ministry is typically a department or organisation within a government that focuses on all things relating to health. The department will often highlight travel restrictions, vaccination requirements, pandemics, outbreaks, and relevant health-related information
Interactive Map - Greetings

  USEFUL PHRASES | GREETINGS

Common phrases and terms in the local language(s)
Gayther Useful Phrases – Greetings (500px)
GREETINGS
gruß | salutation | saluto | ciao / tgau / allegra
HI
hallo | salut | ciao | ciao / tgau / allegra
HOW ARE YOU?
wie geht es dir? | comment allez-vous? | come stai? | co vai?
GOOD MORNING
guten morgen | bonjour | buongiorno | bien di / bun di
I'M GOOD, AND YOU?
mir geht es gut und dir? | je vais bien et toi? | sto bene, e tu? | -
GOOD AFTERNOON
guten tag | bonne après-midi | buon pomeriggio | buna sera / buna saira
WHAT IS YOUR NAME?
wie heißen sie? | quel est ton nom? | come ti chiami? | co haveis vus num?
GOOD NIGHT
gute nacht | bonne nuit | buona notte | buna sera / buna saira / buna notg
MY NAME IS…
ich heiße ... | je m'appelle ... | il mio nome è ... | jeu hai num
WELCOME
herzlich willkommen | bienvenue | benvenuto | bainvegni
NICE TO MEET YOU
schön dich zu treffen | ravi de vous rencontrer | piacere di conoscerti | fa plaschair
GOODBYE
auf wiedersehen | au revoir | addio | chau / sin seveser / a revair / a pli tard
DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH?
sprichst du englisch? | parlez vous anglais? | parli inglese? | discurras ti englais?

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EMERGENCY CONTACTS

German | French | Italian | Romansh
Official Language(s) spoken in Switzerland
The emergency service numbers within Switzerland to call during an emergency
  • AMBULANCE - when someone is seriously ill or injured, and their life is at risk (emergency medical services and technical rescue)
  • POLICE - when you feel in danger, are in dangerous situations or have witnessed a crime (law enforcement, criminal investigation, and maintenance of public order)
  • FIRE RESCUE - when a fire occurs or where a person needs rescue (fire suppression, technical rescue, and hazardous materials mitigation)


Ambulance
AMBULANCE
krankenwagen (german) | ambulance (french) | ambulanza (italian) | ambulanza (romansh)

dial
112

Call Ambulance Service Now

Police
POLICE
polizei (german) | police (french) | polizia (italian) | polizia (romansh)

dial
112

Call Police Now

Fire
FIRE
feuer (german) | feu (french) | fuoco (italian) | fieu (romansh)

dial
112

Call Fire Service Now


Interactive Map - Emergency

  USEFUL PHRASES | EMERGENCY

Common phrases and terms in the local language(s)
Gayther Useful Phrases - Emergency Services (500px)
EMERGENCY
notfall | urgence | emergenza | cas urgent
HELP ME
hilf mir | aidez moi | aiutami | -
WHERE IS THE NEAREST HOSPITAL?
wo ist das nächste krankenhaus? | où est l'hôpital le plus proche? | dov'è l'ospedale più vicino? | -
STOP
halt | arrêtez | stop | ceder
WHERE IS THE NEAREST PHARMACY?
wo ist die nächste apotheke? | où est la pharmacie la plus proche? | dove si trova la farmacia più vicina? | -
HOSPITAL
krankenhaus | hôpital | ospedale | clinica
WHERE IS THE POLICE STATION?
wo ist die polizei station? | ou est la station de police? | dov'è la stazione di polizia? | -
When travelling, a non-native speaker of a language or when you cannot speak, communicating how you are thinking and feeling to a medical practitioner can be challenging. The medical diagnosis interpreter, also known as the MDI, is a free click and point solution where you can use literal translations for up to 89 different languages

USEFUL INFORMATION

TELEPHONE DIALLING CODE

41

INTERNET SUFFIX

.ch

LANGUAGES

German, French, Italian, Romansh

CURRENCY

NAME:
Swiss Franc
SYM:
CHF
DIVISION:
100 rappen/centimes

ELECTRICITY

VOLTS:
230
HERTZ:
50

ELECTRICAL PLUGS

NUMBER OF PLUG TYPES:
2
PLUGS USED:
Electricity Plug C Electricity Plug J

WHAT LANGUAGES ARE SPOKEN WHERE

It is estimated that there are over seven thousand languages and dialects spoken around the world. When travelling, it is important to find out what languages are spoken where, as well, as key phrases and terms in those languages. The Gayther Worldwide languages guide features all of the main languages spoken around the world, organised by country and region. Discover all things languages today

CLIMATE

Bern

Weather information

Switzerland Climate Image
MONTHLY AVERAGE TEMPERATURE
MONTHLY AVERAGE TEMPERATURES
The average monthly temperatures are based on the recorded daily highs and lows for the given location
HIGH
The daily high temperatures are an average, based on the recorded high temperatures over many years
01| JAN
4.1°C | 39.3°F
02| FEB
5.4°C | 41.8°F
03| MAR
10.8°C | 51.5°F
04| APR
15.7°C | 60.2°F
05| MAY
19.2°C | 66.6°F
06| JUN
23.8°C | 74.8°F
07| JUL
25.4°C | 77.7°F
08| AUG
24.7°C | 76.4°F
09| SEP
20.3°C | 68.6°F
10| OCT
15.1°C | 59.1°F
11| NOV
9°C | 48.2°F
12| DEC
4.3°C | 39.8°F
LOW
The daily low temperatures are an average, based on the recorded lowest temperatures over many years
01| JAN
-2.8°C | 27°F
02| FEB
-2.9°C | 26.7°F
03| MAR
-0.2°C | 31.6°F
04| APR
3.2°C | 37.7°F
05| MAY
7.6°C | 45.6°F
06| JUN
11.6°C | 52.9°F
07| JUL
13°C | 55.4°F
08| AUG
12.6°C | 54.6°F
09| SEP
9°C | 48.2°F
10| OCT
5.4°C | 41.8°F
11| NOV
1.3°C | 34.4°F
12| DEC
-2.3°C | 27.9°F
SEASONS
Saisons (fr) | Jahreszeiten (de) | Estaciones (es) | Stagioni (it) | Seizoen (du) | Estação (pt)
Switzerland Season Image
Spring SeasonSPRING
Printemps (fr) | Frühling (de) | Primavera (es) | Primavera (it) | Lente (du) | Primavera (pt)
March-May
Summer SeasonSUMMER
Été (fr) | Sommer (de) | Verano (es) | Estate (it) | Zomer (du) | Verão (pt)
June-August
Autumn SeasonAUTUMN
Automne (fr) | Herbst (de) | Otoño (es) | Autunno (it) | Herfst (du) | Outono (pt)
September-November
Winter SeasonWINTER
Hiver (fr) | Winter (de) | Invierno (es) | Inverno (it) | Winter (du) | Inverno (pt)
November-February
Interactive Map - Instructions

  USEFUL PHRASES | INSTRUCTIONS

Common phrases and terms in the local language(s)
Gayther Useful Phrases - Instructions (500px)
INSTRUCTIONS
YES
ja | oui | sì | bagn
EXCUSE ME
entschuldigen sie | excusez-moi | scusami | perdunai
NO
nein | non | no | na
PLEASE
bitte | s'il vous plaît | per favore | per plaschair
NO, THANK YOU
nein, danke | non, merci | no, grazie | -
SORRY
es tut uns leid | pardon | scusa | i ma displacha
MAYBE
könnte sein | peut être | può essere | -
THANK YOU
vielen dank | je vous remercie | grazie | grazia

TIMEZONE

LAST UPDATED:  Oct 11,2022

TIMEZONE

UTC+1 (Europe/Zurich)

DST APPLIES

Yes
  DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME (DST)
2023
STARTS
Mar 26, 2023
ENDS
Oct 29, 2023
2024
STARTS
Mar 31, 2024
ENDS
Oct 27, 2024

DST ADJUSTMENT

Forward one hour

DST TIMEZONE

UTC+2 (Europe/Zurich)

Gayther Resources

  TRAVEL INSPIRED ARTICLES

Gayther Affinity is a private platform for the global LGBTQIA+ community. A space that gives you the freedom to be yourself. Helping you communicate with and connect to people similar to yourself. People from around the world from all age groups and backgrounds. Signup for your free Affinity account today

  FUN & GAMES

RESOURCES TO HELP YOUR FRIENDS, FOLLOWERS, CUSTOMERS…

With over one thousand data points relating to weather stations worldwide, hundreds of LGBTQIA+ country and state travel guides, as well as community-related articles, fun and games, there is something for everyone on Gayther. Help your friends, followers or customers by including a badge or any one of the hundreds of colourful QR Codes within your newsletter, blog, vlog or website to direct them to resources that relate directly to you or your business or service. Discover QR Codes and Gayther Badges today
Quickly find all the information you need when planning a trip. Home to over 600 detailed country and regional guides, including a wide range of general information as well as dedicated LGBTQIA+ specific details
Search over 900 unique weather locations using the fun and interactive weather tool. Discover the best time to travel to a specific area, when is it the hottest, when is the least chance of rain or when it might snow
Planning a trip takes time and effort. Deciding where to go and how to get there can be a challenge. The interactive travel tool is home to thousands of airports, trains, buses and ports worldwide

Gayther...your community resources

Three dedicated websites offer various tools, services, guides, and much more. Free tools and services tailored toward all groups within the global LGBTQIA+ community

Learn more about yourself by taking any one of the Gayther personality tests or by taking part in any of the questionnaires
Direct to your inbox, be the first to find out about the latest articles, community news and upcoming events from the fortnightly Gayther Newsletter
A problem shared is a problem halved. We all need a little support, advice and help sometimes, so why not use our Agony Zir service

TRAVEL RELATED

AIRPORT STATISTICS

TOTAL NUMBER OF AIRPORTS

10
TOTAL NUMBER OF HELIPORTS

0
TOTAL NUMBER OF SEAPLANE BASES

0

DRIVING

Switzerland Driving Image
DRIVE ON WHICH SIDE
Right
INTERNATIONAL DRIVING LICENCE REQUIRED
Required for all non-EU residents.
Interactive Map - Travel Section Icon

LOCAL AIRPORTS

Discover the leading international and regional airports in Switzerland. The main airport's section highlights the largest or busiest airports in any country. Each airport featured provides information such as the airport's name, identifier, location and links to google maps, what3words and Gayther's transport tool. The Gayther Transport tool features thousands of airports, train and metro stations, cruise ports and much more. Click on the search button to find all of the airports available on the tool

Interactive Map - Directions

  USEFUL PHRASES | DIRECTIONS & GUIDANCE

Common phrases and terms in the local language(s)
Gayther Useful Phrases - Directions (500px)
DIRECTIONS AND GUIDANCE
anweisungen und anleitungen | directions et conseils | indicazioni e guida | -
HOW DO I GET THERE?
wie komme ich dort hin? | comment puis-je y arriver? | come posso arrivare? | -
HOW MUCH IS THAT?
wie viel ist das? | combien cela coûte-t-il? | quant'è? | con cuosta quei?
HOW FAR IS IT?
wie weit ist es? | a quelle distance est-ce? | quanto è lontano? | -
DO YOU ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS?
akzeptieren sie kreditkarten? | acceptez-vous les cartes de crédit? | accettate carte di credito? | -
WHERE IS THE BATHROOM?
wo ist die toilette? | où se trouvent les toilettes? | dov'è il bagno? | nua è tualetta?
I'M NOT INTERESTED
das interessiert mich nicht | ça ne m'intéresse pas | non mi interessa | -
WHERE IS THE CLOSEST RESTAURANT?
wo ist das nächste restaurant? | où est le restaurant le plus proche? | dove si trova il ristorante più vicino? | -
I DON'T UNDERSTAND
ich verstehe nicht | je ne comprends pas | non capisco | jau na chapesch betg
HOW MUCH DO I OWE YOU?
wie viel schulde ich dir? | combien je te dois? | quanto le devo? | -

LGBTQIA+ RELATED

LGBTQIA+ Terms

learn the literal translations of key LGBTQIA+ terms in the local languages/dialects
Lesbian Flag
Lesbian
lesben (german) | lesbienne (french) | lesbica (italian) | lesbica (romansh)
Gay Flag
Gay
schwul (german) | gay (french) | gay (italian) | gay (romansh)
Bisexual Flag
Bisexual
bisexuell (german) | bisexuel (french) | bisessuale (italian) | bisessuale (romansh)
Transgender Flag
Transgender
transgender (german) | transgenres (french) | transgender (italian) | transgender (romansh)
Intersex Flag
Intersex
intersex (german) | intersexe (french) | intersex (italian) | intersessualità (romansh)
Asexual Flag
Asexual
asexuell (german) | asexué (french) | asessuale (italian) | asessuale (romansh)
Questioning Flag
Questioning
befragung (german) | interrogatoire (french) | interrogare (italian) | domanda (romansh)
Community Flag
Community
gemeinschaft (german) | communauté (french) | comunità (italian) | comunità (romansh)
Gender Flag
Gender
geschlechtsspezifisch (german) | lié au genre (french) | relativo al sesso (italian) | relativo al genere (romansh)
Sexuality Flag
Sexuality
sexualität im zusammenhang (german) | relatif à la sexualité (french) | relativo alla sessualità (italian) | sessualità correlata (romansh)
Non-Bingary Flag
Non-Binary
nicht binär (german) | non binaire (french) | non binario (italian) | non binario (romansh)
Queer Flag
Queer
komisch (german) | queer (french) | queer (italian) | queer (romansh)
Gayther Dropdown - Language Country Guide (300px)

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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The information displayed on this page is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute advice. It is essential that before travelling that you independently establish information relating specifically to your requirements and circumstances. Though we endeavour to keep all information across the site updated, we do not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of any information displayed. The languages and terms featured on this page are literal translations and have not been validated or verified. The service is provided free of charge, and by using it, you accept that you are doing so at your own risk. This page may contain external links to third party websites; Gayther provides these links for your convenience and does not endorse, warrant or recommend any particular products or services. By clicking on any external links, you will leave Gayther and be taken to the third-party website, which you do so at your own risk and by accessing the site, you will be required to comply with the external third party’s terms and conditions of use and privacy policies. If you believe any of the information contained within this page is incorrect, please report this guide using the option found on this page or by clicking here
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