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Film CommissionsFilm Location Switzerland - FLS (Swiss National Film Commission)
Tel: 21 648 03 80 Fax: 21 648 03 81
E-mail: info@filmlocation.ch
Website: www.filmlocation.ch
Director/Film Commissioner: Andy Brice
Introduction
As well as being home to Europe's most spectacular mountain range, Switzerland has a landscape of flowering meadows, waterfalls, woodlands, lakes, snow, castles and Romanesque churches. The climate ranges from the polar cold of the everlasting snows in the Alps to the heady Mediterranean temperatures in the southern regions of the country. Its cities are a seamless blend of past and future. Switzerland is an ideal location for period films (in "Band of Brothers", for example, it doubled for post-war Austria and Germany). Switzerland offers hassle-free filming, quick and efficient access to exceptional locations (such as glacier crevasses or remote mountain tops), and high quality, experienced crew. Labour costs are very competitive due to lower overheads than in neighbouring countries, which was one of the reasons why large parts of the geopolitical thriller "Syriana" (starring George Clooney and Matt Damon) were shot in Geneva.Permits/visas
Generally not required except for the city of Zurich. When necessary, authorisation is obtained through the production service company which you choose to work with, or through Film Location Switzerland. Tax breaks/incentives
Switzerland benefits from a particularly attractive Euro-Swiss franc exchange rate. Films officially co-produced with Switzerland have access to the public film funding. Indian filmmakers are offered a special package for scouting new, lesser-known locations. Specific and customised incentives are offered depending on the film project. Recent productions
Nordwand (2008, Germany/Austria/Switzerland), Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai (2008, India), Golden Compass (2007, USA/UK), Laaga Chunari Mein Daag (2007, India), Le Maître du Zodiaque (TV series, 2006, France), Syriana (2005, USA), Star Wars III – Revenge of the Sith (2005, USA), Veer-Zaara (2005, India), Touching the Void (2003, UK), Band of Brothers (2001, USA). | General Information Location: Europe
Local Time: GMT+1
From 25 Oct 09 to 28 Mar 10 GMT +1
From 28 Mar 10 to 31 Oct 10 GMT +2
From 31 Oct 10 to 27 Mar 11 GMT +1
From 27 Mar 11 to 30 Oct 11 GMT +2
Capital City: Berne
Population: 7.3 million
Area: 39,770 square km, 15,355 square miles.
Language(s): German, French, Italian, Romansch
Dialling Code: 41
Emergency: Police: 117. Fire: 118. Ambulance: 144
Directory Enquiries: 111
TV Standard: PAL
Driving: Driving is on the right. National licence required. Minimum driving age is 18
Electricity: 220V AC 50Hz
Business & CurrencyCurrency: Swiss Franc (CHF 1 = 100 Centimes)
Notes: CHF: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 1,000
Coins: CHF: 1, 2, 5. Centimes: 5, 10, 20, 50
Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Major credit cards and travellers cheques are accepted Opening Hours
Bank: 0830-1700 Mon-Fri
Office: 0800-1200 & 1330-1700 Mon-Fri
Shops: 0800-1200 & 1330-1830 Mon-Fri, 0800-1200 & 1330-1600 Sat Public Holidays
2010
1 Jan New Year's Day, 2 Jan * Berchtold's Day, 2 Apr * Good Friday, 5 Apr * Easter Monday, 13 May * Ascension, 24 May * Whit Monday, 1 Aug National Day, 25 Dec Christmas Day, 26 Dec Boxing Day.
Note: * These holidays may not be observed in certain cantons. There are additional regional holidays which are observed in certain cantons only.
Business/Social Hints: Use of appropriate one of the three main languages, French, Italian and German to address a person will be appreciated. All executives are bi-lingual, some tri-lingual, many speak English. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants, be punctual and dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. The minimum drinking age is 16 years (fermented alcohol), 18 years (distilled alcohol) Tipping: Government service charge is added in restaurants, hotels & taxis, tips are not required
| HealthReciprocal health: Participant of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC scheme) which allows visitors on short-term stays to other member countries to use the public health care sector for free or reduced-cost medical treatment and emergency care.
Compulsory vaccinations: None. Recommended immunisations: Tick-borne encephalitis*
* recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month. Risks: Rabies not normally present but animal bites should be assessed with caution as some surrounding countries do present signs of rabies | AirportsBasel Euroairport (BSL)
Berne Belp (BRN)
Geneva International (GVA)
Lugano Agno (LUG)
St. Gallen-Altenrhein (ACH)
Zurich (ZRH)
Passport & VisaThe following details relate to holders of adult normal passports (requirements for children may be different), if any other type of passport or travel document is held, entry requirements should be checked with the relevant embassy or consulate PassportsRequired, but NOT by the following:
1) Holders of National Identity Cards issued to nationals of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain & Sweden Passport Validity: Passports must be valid for 3 months beyond intended stay
Passport Notes: VisasThe following DO NOT require a visa:
1) Nationals of Switzerland
2) Nationals of Liechtenstein
3) For stays up to 3 months by:
a) Nationals of Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Rep, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (S.A.R. passport holders), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland Rep, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao (S.A.R. passports), Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, St. Kitts-Nevis, Sweden, Uruguay, United States, Vatican City & Venezuela
b) Holders of British passports bearing on the cover the words British Passport and endorsed British Citizen, British Overseas Territories Citizen, British Overseas Citizen or British National Overseas
Notes: As of 12/12/2008 Switzerland forms part of Schengen visa scheme. Those usually requiring a Schengen visa will no longer be able to enter the country with their residency status alone and will need a visa. Air TransitRequired by all except those as noted above and:
1) Persons in direct transit within 48 hours provided they hold valid entry & transportation documents (confirmed onward reservations) for a third country (except nationals of Angola, Cameroon, Guinea, India, Lebanon, Sierra Leone & Turkey who require a transit visa unless they hold a residence permit for Austria, Bulgaria, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Romania, San Marino, United Kingdom & United States)
2) Passport holders of Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka & Turkey, provided they hold a visa or a residence permit for Andorra, Canada, Ireland Rep, Japan, San Marino, United Kingdom & United States Notes: Stateless persons always require a transit visa irrespective of what passport is held Exit PermitsSpecial Notes | ClimateSwitzerland has varied & changeable weather conditions due to its great range of altitude. Higher peaks remain snow covered throughout the year. The valleys have quite warm summers although this is the wettest season, the warmest area being the lakeland region. Central Switzerland is low-lying with warm, wet summers accompanied by regular thunderstorms & fairly harsh winters. In the Swiss Alps, the valleys are warm, bright & sunny during the summer but often cloaked in mist & fog during the winter. Higher up in the mountains the opposite occurs, winters are bright, fresh & sunny, whilst cloud & mist hide the peaks during summer ClothingLight clothes with warmer wear for summer. Warmer clothing for the winter & Alpine regions. Rainwear required all year round, particularly in the lakeland district Charts for Zurich | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | | Max Temp (C) | 2 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 19 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 20 | 14 | 7 | 3 | | Min Temp (C) | -3 | -2 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 6 | 2 | -2 | | Humidity am (%) | 88 | 88 | 86 | 81 | 80 | 80 | 81 | 85 | 90 | 92 | 92 | 89 | | Humidity pm (%) | 74 | 65 | 55 | 51 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 53 | 57 | 64 | 73 | 76 | | Rainfall (mm) | 74 | 69 | 64 | 76 | 101 | 129 | 136 | 124 | 102 | 77 | 73 | 64 |
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RepresentativeUK Tourist Office
Switzerland Tourism
Switzerland Travel Centre
30 Bedford Street
London, WC2E 9ED
tel: +44 020 7420 4934
fax: +44 020 7420 4922
e-mail: sales@stc.ch
website: www.switzerlandtravelcentre.co.uk Embassy
Embassy of Switzerland
16-18 Montagu Place
London, W1H 2BQ
tel: +44 20 7616 6000
fax: +44 20 7724 7001
e-mail: press@lon.rep.admin.ch
website: www.swissembassy.org.uk
hours: 0900-1200 (Mon-Fri) |
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