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So that you are well equipped for your adventure!

A dream come true: to travel around the world as a globetrotter. But there are one or two challenges. Above all, there are some things you should pay attention to. We have created a checklist that can help you prepare for your trip.

Depending on the duration of the planned trip, the question arises whether you want or need to deregister in Switzerland. This has an influence on the organization of the trip. If you have any questions regarding deregistration, please use our contact form.

You will find some useful links regarding emigration and immigration here.

Planning the trip:

□ Before you start the trip, ask yourself some questions:

    • Where do you want to go? Do you want to really get to know one country or region or do you want to travel the world?
    • How adventurous and willing to take risks are you? Do you want to travel alone or join others? What is important to you for the trip?
    • How long do you want the trip to last?
    • By which means of transport do you want to travel?
    • Do you plan to book an ‘around the world ticket’? Once around the world for individual travellers.
    • Or do you prefer the flexibility of booking flights separately with ‘one way tickets’? This needs a bit more time on the internet to find affordable and suitable tickets.
    • You could ask a travel agency where to find the world’s most beautiful or adventurous. Or you could research the internet and find inspiration there. These links could give you some ideas:
    • It is also useful to read some blogs of fellow globetrotters to collect tips and tricks.
    • Consider all aspects when planning your itinerary.
□ Accommodation: How and where do you want to stay?

    • Camping
    • House / apartment
    • Couchsurfing, warmshowers
    • Host Family
    • BnB
    • AirBnB
    • Hostel: Becoming a member of www.youthhostel.ch, which gives you a discount at youth hostels worldwide www.hihostels.com 
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Budget: Plan your budget: equipment, transportation, food and accommodation, excursions, pocket money, reserve. Expect the unexpected! 

A useful link that shows you the living costs in different countries:

Don’t forget to calculate costs in Switzerland, e.g. taxes, rent, health insurance.
□ Do you plan to work during your trip? Here some links on working abroad:

Be careful when earning money, because if you work abroad, you can quickly be considered a resident there. This can result in changes to the AHV or jeopardize your insurance coverage with the health insurance fund. Please ask your compensation office how you are allowed to work abroad.

6 months before the trip:

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□ What shall I do with all my things in Switzerland? Do I keep them? Do I donate them or sell them? What will I put into storage, what can I leave with relatives and friends? Here is a tip on storage space: https://www.zebrabox.ch/de/privatkunden
□ Passport/ID: Check how long your passport is still valid and whether there are enough empty pages for all the stamps you are planning to collect. (As a good rule, make sure that the passport is valid six months longer than you intend to travel). Do not forget that it needs a bit of time to order a new passport: ch.ch
□ Vaccinations: Depending on the country you want to visit, certain vaccinations are necessary or recommended. Get informed early enough, some vaccinations have to be repeated before sufficient protection is guaranteed. For an overview see here:

Helpful links regarding Covid measures in different countries are:

Ask your doctor for an international vaccination card.
□ Get all medical check-ups done, don’t forget the dentist. Take prescriptions as well as copies of the most essential medical files along. If you have to take medicines, check whether you can get them abroad or whether you can carry a sufficient amount with you. Make sure to have proof with you that the medicine is for your own personal use.
□ Get informed about the current situation in the countries you want to travel or to transit.

    • Political situation (if in doubt about the security situation, adapt your travel plans).
    • Banks
    • Climate
    • Medical care
    • Epidemics, environmental risks
    • Schools / kindergarten, home-schooling
    • Main sights
    • Customs and laws
□ Inform yourself about notice periods and find out whether there is the option to put certain contracts on hold until you return.

    • Employment
    • Apartment / house
    • Electricity / gas
    • TV
    • Telephone
    • Insurances
    • Memberships / subscriptions
    • Potentially cancel or store motor vehicle number plates at the road traffic office

1-3 months before the trip:

□ Visas: Find out for which countries you need a visa and how to apply for them (embassy, consulate, note opening hours). Some of them you might be able to get when already on the road via internet. Here is a link with information on visa requirements: https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/entry-switzerland-residence/visa-requirements-application-form.html  Also check whether you are traveling through countries with a history of tense diplomatic relations and make sure that the immigration stamp from one country does not bar you from entry into the next.
□ Insurances: Consider which risks you want to have insurance coverage for:

  • Cancelation costs: In case you have to cancel the trip due to an accident or another insured incident that hinders you from starting or continuing the trip.
  • Luggage insurance: Make sure that valuables you take on the trip are insured.
  • Health insurance:Even if you deregister in Switzerland, you are still insured under the Swiss Health Insurance Act (basic insurance). It is important to check with your health insurance company which benefits and coverage apply abroad. In many cases it makes sense to take out additional travel insurance, which would also cover the return transport to Switzerland. Certain countries may also require travel insurance with special Covid coverage for entry into the country.

If you deregister in Switzerland – and establish a new residence elsewhere or are no longer subject to compulsory insurance in Switzerland for other reasons, you may need to take out an international insurance solution. Soliswiss will be happy to advise you on this.

  • Accident insurance: Again, check with your insurance company, how you are covered in case of an accident abroad or check out different international insurances.
  • Personal liability insurance: If you de-register in Switzerland, make sure that you have an international personal liability insurance. We are happy to provide advice.
  • Support in case of crisis: As a Soliswiss member, with our Plan b you have access to support in crisis situations, 24/7 during trips of no longer than 90 days, whenever there is a threat from terrorism, kidnapping, political insurgency or war. Get the Plan b Upgrade to be covered for the entire duration of your trip. Information is provided here.
  • AHV/IV As long as you do not establish a new residence abroad, you remain insured with the AHV/IV. However, you must report this to your compensation office. Otherwise you risk a gap in contributions.
  • BVG If you quit your job to travel abroad, you must park your BVG funds on a vested benefits account or in a vested benefits deposit.
  • With “globetrotter” status, no payment of second and third pillar funds is possible.

Make sure that you do not have gaps or duplications in your insurance coverage .

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Car / motor home: If you would like to go on tour with your own car or motorhome, you must clarify with your registration office (MFK) and your car insurance how long you can travel with Swiss license plates and insurance. Should you deregister from your municipality of residence, this can get complicated. There are three stumbling blocks: the insurance, the road traffic office (registration) and the motor vehicle inspection. First, you need a confirmation from the insurance company that they can maintain the insurance during the trip. At the road traffic office, you argue that your civil law domicile remains in Switzerland – despite deregistration. In addition, you must ensure that you are able to carry out the motor vehicle inspection on time. Alternatively, the insurance is taken out in the name of another person and you register as the main driver.

Remember to apply for an international driver’s license if you are traveling outside the EU. Depending on the country you are traveling to, an international driver’s license may be mandatory.
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Bank account / account maintenance in Switzerland: To keep CHF in Switzerland there are several possibilities, although nowadays this is not made easy by banks. Certain banks will not grant an account if you are deregistered with the municipality and cannot declare a new domicile. In these cases, it is important to emphasize that as a “globetrotter” you remain liable to pay taxes in Switzerland. It is the tax domicile that is especially relevant for the banks.

It is important to know which objectives must / could be covered.

Example:

  • Short-term objectives such as payments, withdrawals, credit card, e-banking, etc.,
  • Medium- or long-term objectives such as low risk-investment options, etc. or long-term objectives such as retirement planning, pensions, vested benefits accounts, 3rd pillars, etc. It is best to create a power of attorney for your accounts. If you would like advice, please use our contact form.

Find out about foreign currency import restrictions from your bank at an early stage.
□ Bills: Make a standing order for current bills and arrange for someone (power of attorney holder) to take care of incoming bills for you.
□ Postal mail: Have your post forwarded or organise someone, to empty your letter box. https://www.post.ch/de/privat/empfangen/post-umleiten-privat
□ Taxes: Please note that as a globetrotter you remain liable to pay taxes in Switzerland as long as you do not establish a new residence abroad. Organize who will take care of your tax affairs.
□ Organize moving your stuff –  perhaps your family and friends will help you? 

2 weeks before the trip

□ Passport, documentation: Passport, insurance certificates, e.g. health insurance card, contracts, credit card – it is best make to a copy or scan and store them safely. You can carry them along on a USB stick or send them to yourself via email. It might also be useful to leave copies with a trusted person back home so that you can quickly get access to all the important documents.
□ Get the last vaccinations done.
□ Put together a first-aid kit for your trip. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. Or read up on the experience reports. A helpful link regarding a first-aid kit can be found here:

Also check the availability of medicines and any import restrictions.
□ Mobile phone: To avoid exorbitant roaming costs, check with your provider what subscription is best for your travel plans.
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Now it’s time: get packing!

    • Move your stuff into storage in Switzerland and pack your luggage / backpack.
    • Do a last check to make sure that you have not forgotten anything.
    • Label your luggage.
    • Check if you will need to stay with someone until you leave?
□ Did you join Soliswiss and get the Plan b Upgrade? Not yet? Your membership is just some mouse-clicks away 😉
□ Let your loved ones know where you are: Are your travel plans flexibel, do you plan to go to the outbacks or into risky territory? Agree how often and at what interval you will check in with a person you trust. Give that person access to your Apple ID or Google account and allow them to track your mobile so that they can check from time to time where you are – internet provided. Register at the Travel Admin App https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/de/home/vertretungen-und-reisehinweise/laenderunabhaengigereiseinformationen/travel-admin-app.html
□ Enjoy time with your family and friends and celebrate the pending start of your trip.

On the day of departure

□ Are you sure you have all documents, passport, vaccination card, important phone numbers including DFA Hotline and Plan b Helpline?
□ Flight tickets ready and first accommodation booked?
□ Enough cash, at best in small denominations?
□ Is the Travel Admin App installed up-to-date?
□ Good bye, let us know how you are doing and enjoy!