From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: Switzerland Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 18:32:58 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1697 Path: world!bzs Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Message-ID: <199804271435_MC2-3B24-F5D1@compuserve.com> Content-Disposition: inline Precedence: bulk Sender: "U.S. Department of State" <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Mime-Version: 1.0 Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com X-List-Info: LN=travel-advisories WHOM=76702.1202@compuserve.com Lines: 134 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Switzerland/Liechenstein ============================================================ Switzerland & Lichtenstein - Consular Information Sheet April 24, 1998 Country Descriptions: Switzerland is a highly developed democracy. Liechtenstein is a democratically-run constitutional monarchy. Entry Requirements: A passport is required for travel to both Switzerland and Liechtenstein. A visa is not required for U.S. citizens for stays up to 90 days in either country. For more information on entry requirements for both countries, travelers may contact the Embassy of Switzerland at 2900 Cathedral Avenue N.W., Washington D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 745-7900, or the nearest Swiss consulate in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, or San Francisco. Medical Facilities: Good medical care is widely available. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including provision for medical evacuation, has proven to be useful. For further information, travelers may contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline at 1-888-232-3228, or their autofax service at 1-888-232-3299, or their Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov. Crime Information: Switzerland has a low rate of violent crime. However, pickpocketing and purse-snatching do occur, especially during peak tourist periods (such as summer and Christmas) and when major conferences, shows, or exhibits are scheduled in major cities. Most crime is restricted to specific localities in major cities that are avoided by the prudent traveler and residents, such as areas frequented by drug dealers and users, the vicinity of train and bus stations, airports, and some public parks. Liechtenstein has a low crime rate. Travelers may wish to exercise caution on trains, especially on overnight trains to neighboring countries. Even locked sleeping compartments can be entered by thieves, who steal from passengers while they sleep. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. U.S. citizens can refer to the Department of State's pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad" for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. 20402. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. In Switzerland and Liechtenstein, penalties for possession, use, and dealing in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Dual Nationality: U.S. citizens who are considered to also have Swiss citizenship may be subject to compulsory military service and other requirements while in Switzerland. Those who might be affected should inquire at a Swiss embassy or consulate regarding their status. In some instances, dual nationality may hamper U.S. Government efforts to provide protection abroad. Ground Transportation: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions which differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Switzerland and Liechtenstein is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance. Safety of Public Transportation: Excellent Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Excellent Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Excellent Availability of Roadside Assistance: Good Although many roads are mountainous and winding, road safety standards are high. In some mountain areas, vehicle snow chains are required in winter. Road travel can be more dangerous during summer, winter holidays, and Whitsunday weekend (late Spring) because of increased traffic. All forms of public transportation in Switzerland and Liechtenstein are generally excellent. Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Switzerlands civil aviation authority as Category 1 -- in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Switzerlands air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at telephone 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA's Internet website at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.htm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the Pentagon at telephone (703) 697-7288. Registration/Embassy and Consulate Locations: U.S. citizens may register and obtain updated information on travel and security in Switzerland at the locations below: The U.S. Embassy in Bern is located at Jubilaeumstrasse 93, telephone (41)(31) 357-7011. The U.S. Consular Agency in Zurich is located at Dufourstrasse 101, telephone (41)(1)422-2566. The U.S. Consular Agency in Geneva is located at the America Center of Geneva, World Trade Center II, Geneva Airport, Route de Pre-Bois 29, telephone (41)(22) 798-1605 or 798-1615. U.S. Consular Agencies offer limited consular services to U.S. citizens. There is no U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Liechtenstein. For assistance and information on travel and security in Liechtenstein, U.S. citizens may contact or register at the U.S. Embassy in Bern at the address above. No. 98-44 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated July 3, 1996, to update information on ground transportation and medical facilities, to add a section on aviation oversight, to note the change from a consulate to a consular agency in Zurich, and to include Internet addresses. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. To unsubscribe, send a message containing the word "unsubscribe" to: travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL: "http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher: gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories