Switzerland
Europe · 18 specs
Direct Answer
Switzerland (CH / CHE / 756) operates on a 230 V / 50 Hz electrical grid using Swiss SEV 1011 (Type J) and Type C sockets. Traffic drives on the right (RHT). The official currency is the Swiss Franc (CHF, Fr.), country calling code is +41, emergency dispatch is 112 (117 Police / 118 Fire / 144 Ambulance), and document standard is SN EN ISO 216 A4.
Source: Electrosuisse / SEV 1011 / BAKOM / SNV / ISO 3166-1 / Swiss Post · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| Official English Name | Swiss Confederation ISO 3166-1 |
| Local Endonym | Schweiz / Suisse / Svizzera / Svizra |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-2 | CH Confoederatio Helvetica |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-3 | CHE |
| ISO 3166-1 Numeric / UN M49 | 756 UN M49 (Code 150) |
| Country Calling Code | +41 BAKOM (ITU-T E.164) |
| International Exit Code (IDD) | 00 |
| Internet ccTLD | .ch SWITCH Registry |
| Vehicle Registration Code | CH Cantonal Plate with Coat of Arms |
| National Currency (ISO 4217) | Swiss Franc (CHF, Fr. / SFr.) 100 Rappen / Centimes |
| Mains Electricity Standard | 230 V (±10%), 50 Hz SEV 1011:2019 / ESTI Standard |
| Electrical Plug Sockets | Type J (SEV 1011 Type 13) & Type C (Europlug) 10 A / 250 V (recessed hexagonal) |
| Road Traffic Driving Side | Right-Hand Traffic (RHT / LHD) Strassenverkehrsgesetz (SVG) |
| Primary Measurement System | Metric (SI) METAS Standard |
| Standard Office Paper Format | SN EN ISO 216 A4 (210 × 297 mm) Standard |
| Consolidated Emergency Number | 112 (Police: 117, Fire: 118, Ambulance: 144, REGA Air Rescue: 1414) Direct Service Dispatch |
| Postal Code Regex / Format | 4 Digits (PLZ: NNNN, e.g. 8001 Zürich, 1201 Genève) Die Schweizerische Post |
| Primary Time Zone | UTC+1 (CET) / UTC+2 (CEST Summer) EU DST schedule |
Electrical Grid, Voltage & Plug Compatibility
- Nominal Grid Parameters: Operates on a single-phase standard of 230 V (±10%), 50 Hz.
- Plug & Socket Hardware: Type J (SEV 1011 Type 13) & Type C (Europlug). Uses Swiss Type J recessed hexagonal sockets (compatible with 2-pin Europlugs).
- International Traveler Guidance: Devices operating on 100–240 V (smartphones, laptops) require only a mechanical pin adapter. Single-voltage appliances from differing voltage regions require a certified step-down/step-up power transformer.
Telecommunications, Dialing & Emergency Dispatch
- International Dialing: The country calling code is +41. Outbound international calls from within the country require dial prefix 00 followed by the destination country code.
- Emergency Dispatch: Consolidated emergency services are reached at 112 (Police: 117, Fire: 118, Ambulance: 144, REGA Air Rescue: 1414). Calls are automatically routed to local public safety answering points with emergency vehicle dispatch.
Transportation, Driving Standards & Road Regulations
- Traffic Flow: Road traffic drives on the right (RHT) with Left-Hand Drive (LHD) vehicles.
- Standard Speed Limits: General regulatory speed limits default to 50 km/h (31 mph) in built-up urban and residential zones, 80–100 km/h (50–62 mph) on undivided rural roads, and 110–130 km/h (68–81 mph) on grade-separated divided motorways/expressways (unless lower local limits are posted).
- Safety Requirements: Mandatory seatbelt compliance for all occupants, zero-distraction handheld mobile phone bans while driving, and mandatory in-vehicle warning triangles.
Commerce, Currency & Document Standards
- Official Currency: Legal tender is the Swiss Franc (CHF, Fr. / SFr.).
- Document & Paper Standards: Standard office printing, official government gazettes, and legal filings strictly utilize SN EN ISO 216 A4 (210 × 297 mm). Standard business correspondence pairs with standard business envelopes.
- National Time Zone: Regulated under UTC+1 (CET) / UTC+2 (CEST Summer).
Postal Addressing & Administrative Divisions
- Postal Architecture: Postal delivery utilizes 4 Digits (PLZ: NNNN, e.g. 8001 Zürich, 1201 Genève).
- Standard Address Format: Structured in standardized hierarchy: Recipient Name → Street Address / Building Unit → Postal Code + City/Town → Province/State → Swiss Confederation.