The most important travel preparations

  • Check entry requirements and passport/ID validity.

  • Check international insurance cover.

  • Organise vaccinations and medication.

  • Have means of payment and important documents ready.

  • Save emergency numbers and learn basic phrases in the local language.

Step-by-step travel preparations

There are several things to plan before the trip begins. Here, we have summarised the main points that you should definitely bear in mind during your travel preparations.

  1. Find out about your destination’s entry requirements, well in advance:

    • Do you need a visa or other entry permit?
    • Do you need a passport to enter the country? For how long must it still be valid from the date of entry?
    • Are there any special regulations about medication or vaccinations?

    You will find up-to-date information about entry requirements on the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) website. You can obtain more medical advice for travellers from HealthyTravel.

  2. Accidents or illnesses abroad can become costly. For comprehensive cover on all your trips, we recommend the following insurance:

    • Travel insurance: complements health insurance, covers treatment costs abroad, organises repatriation and includes legal protection abroad.
    • Cancellation insurance: reimburses costs if you unexpectedly have to cancel your trip or cut it short.
    • Baggage insurance: covers your luggage in the event of loss, theft or damage.
    • Credit/customer card insurance: protects you in the event of card loss and covers any fees for the provision of new cards.

    How well covered are you abroad? Already during the planning of your trip, check your existing health insurance for cover abroad and top up your existing insurance if necessary. With V⁠i⁠s⁠a⁠n⁠a Vacanza travel insurance, you are optimally insured abroad, and get comprehensive cover with the top-up package for baggage, cancellation and credit/customer card insurance.

  3. Check your vaccination status. In certain countries, specific vaccinations are recommended or even mandatory, such as the yellow fever vaccination, for example.

    Also ensure that you have all necessary medication with you and check whether you are allowed to bring it into the destination country. For prescription-only medication, you should always carry a medical certificate, preferably in English. For medication containing narcotic substances, a special permit may be required. Seek advice from a medical professional in good time, for instance by consulting your general practitioner or a pharmacist, or by using telemedical services. This is particularly important before longer trips or if you wish to carry specific medication with you.

  4. In order to remain flexible and to always have money on hand while abroad, you should take the following organisational precautions:

    • Obtain cash in the local currency
    • Check credit card limits and whether restrictions or fees apply abroad
    • Order a replacement card or second credit card
    • Save emergency numbers on your smartphone
    • Check passport and ID expiry dates
    • Print out visa or entry permit and save digital copies
    • Save digital copies of important documents such as your passport, insurance card, international insurance card, flight tickets and booking confirmations
    • Make physical copies of your insurance cards and other important documents, and pack them in your hand luggage.

  5. The better you understand a country and its people, the more relaxed and safe you can be when travelling. So before you set off, learn a few key words and phrases in the local language. Also before leaving, find out about the destination country’s most important laws, cultural norms, customs and safety regulations.

    Save your accommodation addresses and the contact details of the embassy or consulate on your smartphone, so that you will immediately know whom to contact in critical situations. You should also save the V⁠i⁠s⁠a⁠n⁠a 24-hour assistance phone number for emergencies abroad: 0848 848 855.

  6. Packing early not only saves you time and avoids stress, but also ensures that nothing important is left at home. Alongside clothing and personal belongings, you should pack all important travel documents, means of payment, and useful everyday items like adapters and chargers. Also consider which items should preferably be carried in your hand luggage, in case your suitcase arrives late.

    To help you avoid forgetting anything, you will find a practical overview of all the essentials for your trip in our packing list.

Your advantages when planning your trip with V⁠i⁠s⁠a⁠n⁠a

  • Covered worldwide in the event of illness or accident, with Vacanza travel insurance
     

  • Financial security when a trip has to be cancelled or cut short

  • Straightforward assistance in emergencies – by phone or digitally

  • Tailored insurance solutions

We will aid your travel preparations and gladly advise you about V⁠i⁠s⁠a⁠n⁠a Vacanza, the travel insurance for worry-free holidays.

Frequently asked questions about travel preparations

Compulsory basic insurance only partially covers the costs of medical treatment abroad. In EU and EFTA countries, you are covered by the European Health Insurance Card, which is on the back of your basic insurance card. However, you do have to contribute towards cost coverage by paying a retention fee. This is determined by the country you are visiting. It is not offset against your basic insurance retention fee.

In all other countries, basic insurance only covers the costs of emergency treatment, up to twice the amount that would be reimbursed for the same treatment in Switzerland. It does not cover higher costs, repatriation to Switzerland or rescue operations. This can lead to significant additional costs.

Travel insurance such as V⁠i⁠s⁠a⁠n⁠a Vacanza closes these gaps, covers additional costs abroad and provides assistance services, such as organising and paying for repatriation. When planning and preparing for your trip, you should therefore check whether the cover provided by your basic insurance and any existing top-up insurance is sufficient, or whether you need to supplement it with travel insurance.

Trip cancellation insurance protects you from high costs if you have to cancel or cut short your trip unexpectedly – for instance due to illness, an accident or a family emergency. Such cover is already included in V⁠i⁠s⁠a⁠n⁠a Vacanza, so you will not lose money in critical situations.

Good travel preparations begin with planning your trip well in advance: check the entry requirements, your passport validity and any necessary vaccinations. Organise medication and a medical certificate if you are carrying prescription medication.

When planning the trip, check your insurance cover and enhance it if necessary, with travel insurance such as V⁠i⁠s⁠a⁠n⁠a Vacanza. Also remember to bring means of payment, copies of important documents, travel adaptors, chargers and saved emergency numbers.

When planning the trip, check whether you will need any specific items at your destination – this will give you plenty of time to get hold of them before departure.

Alongside clothing, your basic travel essentials should include important travel documents, sufficient means of payment and personal medication. Also remember to pack chargers, adaptors, hygiene products and, depending on your destination, sun cream, insect repellent and any special equipment.

You will find a complete overview in our packing list.

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3000 Bern 16

Phone: 0848 848 899 (DE/FR/IT)