Switzerland

Illegal drugs carry a long jail sentence and heavy fines in Switzerland - including if you are only changing planes.

Expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including while transiting through a Swiss airport.

Verified Aug 20, 2026

Cannabis is a banned drug in Switzerland, but possessing up to 10 grams for your own use is expressly not punishable under the federal Narcotics Act, and neither is passing that much to another adult to share. Actually smoking it is still an offence and normally brings an on-the-spot fine of 100 francs, and only products containing less than 1% THC may be sold and bought.

Using cannabis can bring a fixed-penalty fine of 100 francs. Possessing more than 10 grams, and any sale or dealing, remains an offence under the Narcotics Act.

Verified Oct 1, 2026

You may carry prescription medicines containing narcotics into Switzerland without a permit - but only a 30-day supply, only for yourself, and only carried in person.

Verified Aug 20, 2026

Every weapon, weapon part and round of ammunition must be declared at the Swiss border, and many common self-defence items are banned outright.

Verified Aug 20, 2026

You can carry unlimited cash into or out of Switzerland with no declaration, but if customs question you while you carry CHF 10,000 or more you must truthfully disclose your identity and the cash's source, intended use and beneficial owner.

Refusing or giving false information is a customs offence that can be penalized; cash may be temporarily seized if money laundering is suspected.

Verified Jul 20, 2026

Goods worth up to CHF 150 in total come in tax-free. Go one franc over and you pay Swiss VAT on the whole amount, not just the excess.

Above CHF 150, VAT of 8.1% is due on the total value of the goods, not only on the amount over the limit.

Verified Aug 20, 2026

You cannot bring meat, dairy or most fruit and vegetables into Switzerland from outside the EU - that includes anything packed in the US.

Verified Aug 20, 2026

You may bring in 5 litres of drinks up to 18% alcohol plus 1 litre over 18%, per person per day, duty-free. Minimum age 17.

Excess alcohol is charged customs duty at CHF 2 per litre (up to 18% vol.) or CHF 15 per litre (over 18% vol.). Minimum age to claim the allowance is 17.

Verified Aug 20, 2026

Vapes count against Switzerland's tobacco allowance: 250 ml of nicotine e-liquid, or 250 nicotine cartridges, or 25 disposable e-cigarettes per person per day. Minimum age 17.

Over the allowance, customs duty is CHF 0.25 per ml of nicotine-containing liquid, CHF 0.25 per nicotine cartridge and CHF 2.50 per disposable e-cigarette. Minimum age 17.

Verified Aug 20, 2026

You may bring in 250 cigarettes (or 250 cigars, or 250 g of other tobacco) per person per day, duty-free. Minimum age 17.

Above the allowance, customs duty is CHF 0.25 per cigarette, cigar, heated-tobacco unit or nicotine cartridge, or CHF 0.10 per gramme of other tobacco. Minimum age 17.

Verified Aug 20, 2026

To drive on Swiss motorways or expressways your vehicle must display a valid annual vignette (windscreen sticker or e-vignette) that costs CHF 40; there are no daily or weekly versions, and rental cars usually already have one.

Driving without a valid vignette brings a CHF 200 fine, and you must still buy the CHF 40 vignette.

Verified Jul 20, 2026

Switzerland's blood-alcohol limit is 0.05%, but it drops to 0.01% (effectively zero) for new/probationary, learner and professional drivers and driving instructors.

0.05-0.079% brings a formal reprimand and roughly CHF 600-800 fine; 0.08% or more means licence disqualification for at least three months plus a heavy fine, and repeat offences can bring one to three years in prison.

Verified Jul 20, 2026

You may drive in Switzerland on your valid US license for up to one year after arrival; headlights must stay on at all times and turning right on a red light is not allowed.

After one year you must obtain a Swiss licence; failing to follow traffic rules can bring large fines.

Verified Jul 20, 2026

Switzerland has zero tolerance for THC behind the wheel - even legal low-THC or CBD products can leave a measurable level in your blood, so do not drive after using any cannabis product.

Any THC in your blood while driving is an offense.

Verified Jul 6, 2026

Flying a drone in Switzerland means registering first - and a camera drone under 250 g still counts. US visitors must register in Switzerland.

FOCA states it is a criminal offence to breach the drone rules and a criminal offence to fly a drone with no operator number; operators may be fined for flying without the operator number displayed or without the required liability insurance. No fine amounts are published on the FOCA English pages.

Verified Aug 20, 2026

Signal jammers are illegal to own in Switzerland, not just to use. Possession and import have both been banned since 2018.

Using a jammer is a deliberate disruption of the radio spectrum under the Telecommunications Act, punishable by a fine of up to CHF 100,000. Using non-compliant telecom equipment risks a fine plus the cost of locating and removing any interference caused.

Verified Aug 20, 2026

Switzerland places no legal restrictions on same-sex relationships or on organising events focused on sexual orientation.

Verified Aug 20, 2026

Covering your face in a public place is illegal anywhere in Switzerland since 1 January 2025. The on-the-spot fine is CHF 100.

A fine of up to CHF 1,000. In practice violations are handled under the fixed penalty procedure: CHF 100, payable on the spot. Refusing to pay the fixed penalty sends the case into the normal procedure under the Criminal Procedure Code.

Verified Aug 20, 2026