A quick-reference guide to the essential facts about Switzerland — where it is, how many people live there, the languages they speak, the currency and more. Bookmark this page before planning your trip.

Switzerland at a glance

  • Region: Central Europe (landlocked)
  • Capital: Bern (the largest city is Zurich)
  • Population: around 8.8–9 million people
  • Area: about 41,285 km² — roughly 37 times the size of Hong Kong
  • Official languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh
  • Currency: Swiss franc (CHF)
  • Cantons: 26
  • EU / Schengen: not an EU member, but part of the Schengen Area
  • Time zone: Central European Time (UTC+1), UTC+2 in summer — about 6–7 hours behind Hong Kong
  • Dialling code: +41

Where is Switzerland?

Switzerland is a landlocked country in the heart of Central Europe. It shares borders with Germany to the north, France to the west, Italy to the south, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. Much of the country is covered by the Alps in the south and the Jura mountains in the northwest, with a central plateau where most cities and people are concentrated. For travellers from Hong Kong, the main international gateways are Zurich and Geneva airports. See our complete guide to Switzerland for Hong Kong travellers for how to get there.

How many people live in Switzerland?

Switzerland has a population of roughly 8.8 to 9 million people. Around a quarter are foreign nationals, reflecting the country’s international character — Geneva alone hosts dozens of international organisations. The most populous cities are Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne and Bern, though even the largest, Zurich, has well under half a million residents in the city proper.

What language do they speak in Switzerland?

Switzerland has four official languages. German (spoken in Swiss-German dialect) is the most widely used at roughly 62% of the population, followed by French (about 23%) in the west, Italian (about 8%) in the south around Ticino, and Romansh (under 1%) in parts of the southeast. Which language you hear depends heavily on the region — Geneva and Lausanne are French-speaking, Zurich and Lucerne German-speaking, and Lugano Italian-speaking. English is widely understood in tourist areas, hotels and on the trains.

What currency does Switzerland use?

The currency is the Swiss franc (CHF), not the euro — Switzerland is not in the Eurozone. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, and many places near borders will take euros but give change in francs. Switzerland is famously expensive, so budget accordingly; a Swiss Travel Pass can help control transport costs.

Is Switzerland in the EU?

No. Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, but it is part of the Schengen Area, so the same Schengen entry rules apply as for neighbouring EU countries. Hong Kong travellers should check current requirements in our guide on whether Hong Kong travellers need a visa for Switzerland.

When is the best time to visit?

It depends on what you want: December to March for skiing and snow scenery, June to September for hiking, lakes and long daylight. See our comparison of Switzerland in winter vs summer and the top destinations to start planning.

Quick FAQ

What is the capital of Switzerland? Bern is the federal city (capital); Zurich is the largest city.

Is Switzerland safe? Switzerland consistently ranks among the safest countries in the world, with excellent healthcare and infrastructure.

Do I need to speak German or French? No — English is widely spoken in tourism, though a few local greetings are always appreciated.

Ready to plan? Start with the complete Switzerland guide for Hong Kong travellers.