Switzerland travel guide for New Zealanders

New Zealanders do not need a visa for Switzerland for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies to the whole Schengen Area, so the same allowance covers France, Italy, Germany and the other member states.

From 2026, you will need an ETIAS travel authorisation before flying. It is not a visa; it is an online application that costs about €7 and is valid for three years. Apply before booking flights, and check the official ETIAS site for the exact start date.

Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure from the Schengen Area and have been issued within the last ten years. You need proof of sufficient funds for your stay and, in practice, a return or onward ticket. Border officials may ask for hotel bookings and travel insurance.

The 90-day allowance is per 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area, not per country. If you plan to spend time in France, Italy or Germany as well, count all days together. Overstaying can lead to fines and a re-entry ban.

New Zealand does not have an embassy in Switzerland. The nearest embassy is in Berlin, Germany, which covers Switzerland. For consular help, contact the New Zealand Embassy in Berlin or the New Zealand Consulate-General in Geneva, which handles some consular services.

For visa or entry questions, contact the Swiss embassy in Wellington, New Zealand. For emergencies, the New Zealand Government's 24/7 consular hotline is +64 99 20 20 20.

Switzerland is one of Europe's most expensive countries. Budget travellers can manage on about NZ$150–200 per day with hostels, supermarket meals and regional trains. A mid-range trip with hotels, restaurant dinners and the Swiss Travel Pass costs roughly NZ$250–350 per day. At the top end, Zermatt and St Moritz hotels can push that to NZ$500+.

The Swiss franc is strong against the NZ dollar, so watch the exchange rate. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including mountain railways and cable cars, but carry some cash for small village shops and markets. Tipping is not expected; service is included in the bill.

There are no direct flights from New Zealand to Switzerland. The fastest routes connect through Singapore, Dubai, Doha or a European hub such as London, Frankfurt or Paris, with a total journey time of 24–30 hours including the stop. Zurich and Geneva are the main international airports.

From Zurich, trains run to the city centre every few minutes (about 10 minutes). From Geneva, the train to the centre takes about 7 minutes. Book flights early; prices from Auckland to Zurich typically start around NZ$1,500–2,000 return in low season and rise to NZ$2,500+ in summer.

Switzerland uses type J sockets (three round pins) and type C (two round pins), with a standard voltage of 230 V and frequency 50 Hz. New Zealand uses type I plugs, so you will need an adapter. Most phone and laptop chargers handle 230 V, but check the label; if it says 100–240 V, you only need a plug adapter.

Service is included in the bill in restaurants, hotels and taxis, so tipping is not required. Locals often round up to the nearest franc or leave small change for good service. In mountain restaurants and bars, rounding up is appreciated but never expected. Tipping is not part of the culture like in New Zealand; you can simply pay the bill as it is.

In an emergency, dial 112 for the European emergency number, 117 for police, 144 for ambulance, and 118 for fire. The Rega air rescue service is 1414. English is spoken by emergency operators. For non-urgent medical help, pharmacies and walk-in clinics are common in cities and larger towns.