Written by Lily King

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Switzerland is known for many things: swiss chocolate, swiss cheese and its beautiful mountain landscapes.  It is also less known for the four languages that are spoken there (German, French, Italian and Romansh) and its low-key capital Bern. Perhaps most shocking and least commonly known, however, is the fact that a whopping 71.4% of their prisoners are foreign nationals, the 5^th highest proportion of incarcerated foreigners in Europe. Though this is a striking figure, fear not if you are heading to Switzerland! As long as you’re clued up on the need-to-knows before you travel, you won’t find yourself on the wrong side of the law.

What do I need to know to stop myself getting into trouble?

• Do not cover your face in public in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino. If you do so, you could be fined up to 10,000 CHF.
• Smoking is banned in most workplaces and confined public places. Some restaurants may provide separate areas for smokers, but only smoke if you are sure you are allowed to.
• Jaywalking is illegal, so wait for the green man to avoid a hefty fine!
• Beware of the difference in the drink-drive limit compared to the UK: the legal limit in Switzerland is just 0.05% blood alcohol content, which is lower than the 0.08% in the UK. If you are caught when over the limit, you could face a fine, driving ban or even a prison sentence.
• Do not carry any drugs, especially over borders: any attempt to cross a border in possession of drugs carries trafficking charges.

BUT in the event that you do end up in a Swiss prison, it's important to know what to expect. Though prison conditions tend to be sanitary and safe, overcrowding can be a problem, which means a single cell cannot be guaranteed. You could also be deported for up to 15 years depending on the nature of the crime you have committed.

References:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/6251431.stm

https://www.countryreports.org/travel/Switzerland/criminalpenalties.htm

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/switzerland