Whether you are only going across the border or flying off to distant lands, some documents will be essential parts of your luggage.
First: passport or ID card
This may be self-understood for anyone leaving Swiss territory, but you may be wondering whether you need both or one will suffice.
The answer depends on where in the world you are travelling to and, by the same token, where are you arriving from when you re-enter Switzerland — Schengen states or not.
It also depends on your nationality — that is, whether you are Swiss, a citizen of the European Union or EFTA (Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein), or a so called "third country" (non-EU/EFTA).
You can find out the details here:
READ ALSO: Should you use your passport or ID card when travelling to and from Switzerland?
Remember too, that if you travel abroad with children or infants, they must have their own passport or ID card as well.
Also, before they can travel, dogs and cats also need at least a passport, along with a microchip and a valid rabies vaccination.
The exact requirements are determined by the country to which you are travelling.
Pet passports can only bebe issued by veterinaries who have a cantonal licence.
Health insurance card
Nobody wants to get sick and need medical care on vacation, but this card is just as essential as your ID card if you travel within the EU or EFTA.
If you become ill while vacationing in those countries, have an accident or need urgent surgery, the Swiss insurance will pay for the immediate emergency treatment you require.
Once your condition is stabilised by local doctors and it is safe for you to travel, you will be transferred back to Switzerland to a hospital nearest to your place of residence.
However…
If you travel to the United States, where even the simplest treatments cost an arm and a leg (though hopefully not literally), you will need to take out additional health insurance.
Most major insurers in Switzerland, like TCS, Allianz and AXA, offer supplemental global health coverage that would pay for most (if not all) of the costs which are un-refunded by your Swiss insurance.
Some will even include repatriation costs that will pay the price of bringing you back to Switzerland.
Travel insurance
This is very useful if you have to cancel your trip before the departure, or if you have to come back urgently because of an illness, family emergency, or any other exceptional circumstance.
A comprehensive travel cancellation insurance will refund the costs, so check out all the conditions listed therein.
And if you travel by car...
Make sure you have an accident and roadside assistance insurance from motoring organisations like TCS, which cover you abroad.
Last but not least, you need to have a "CH" sticker affixed to the rear of your vehicle — your car's own Swiss passport.
READ ALSO: Do I need a 'CH sticker' on my car when I leave Switzerland?
Can you think of another document you found essential when leaving Switzerland? Let us know in the comments section below.
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