Do we need ID to spend a day in Switzerland and Italy?

Hi there,

My partner, our 8-year-old daughter, and I are going on vacation to Gex.

We’ve decided to spend one day in Switzerland and another in Italy. Will we need ID (national ID card or passport)? Do we also need ID for our daughter?

Thanks so much for your answers! 🙂

Hi,

It’s true that carrying 3 national ID cards is a hassle...

If it’s during the G7, you’ll need to have them in case there’s a check when entering Switzerland...

Hi there,

It’s a bit of a "yes and no" answer .

Between Schengen countries, there *shouldn’t* be systematic ID checks—unless a country requests an exception for serious reasons. That said, you’re *supposed* to carry valid ID (I’m not saying *validated*, just *valid*). What’s your situation? Are your documents expired? It *might* not be an issue—tell us more!

Michel

Hi there, I’ve crossed this Franco-Swiss border at least once a week for over 30 years, and I’ve only had to show my ID about three times .

But Tatra’s right—you’re supposed to carry the proper documents. Don’t forget, if you’re not with the little one’s father, you’ll need a travel authorization for minors. The chance of being checked is low, but it could ruin your vacation—Swiss officials can be sticklers. You’re in the Schengen Zone, so an ID card will be enough.

Also, watch out for the highway vignette on the Geneva bypass—it’s mandatory. If you don’t want to pay (40 €), set up your GPS to avoid it.

Don’t miss a quick visit to Les Rousses and the nearby Jura—it’s really pretty in the summer.

Hello,

No need, fortunately, for that parental consent form if you're the father, mother, or legal guardian of the child. Also, this document would only concern French police—it’s just a piece of paper with no value for any other local authorities.

Michel

You're right, I wrote a bit too quickly about the travel authorization for leaving the country.

At the very least, bring the family record book, especially in Switzerland where authorities are very strict about children having different last names from their accompanying adults.

But just to remind you, the chances of being checked are still low...

Hi! I’ve made the train trip several times, especially to Geneva, and then the Nyon–Saint-Cergue–La Cure route. In Geneva, there don’t seem to be any checks anymore, but if you go through La Cure, customs officers still stop vehicles. Last time, I saw a Swiss customs employee with a sniffer dog at La Cure station. I don’t know if drugs are legal in Switzerland, but I’m mentioning it for everyone—best to avoid them and have your ID card with you.

As for Les Rousses, visit this village before it becomes the Saint-Tropez of the Jura! 😎



Otherwise, I recommend the Risoux Forest. There’s a wall with inscriptions hidden in the forest, about 3–4 hours’ walk from Les Rousses. Or about an hour’s walk from the Bonnefoy chalet.

Don’t get hung up on customs.

If there’s a car accident, a police report, or worse, a hospital visit, you’ll need your ID card, health insurance card, driver’s license, and vehicle registration...

For currency exchange, you don’t need any documents—no questions asked up to around 5,000 €...

And in Italy, if something happens and we have to stay overnight, each person’s national ID card must be shown to the accommodation provider...

Hello,

And in Italy, if something happens and you have to sleep there, each person’s ID card must be shown to the host...

It’s a bit excessive and not really in the spirit of the EU—maybe even borderline illegal—but in theory, the same rule applies in France for foreigners. In this case, it sounds like it’s just a day trip, not an overnight stay.

Michel

The Italians are absolutely right. In France, I’ve never been asked for ID at a hotel—not even at Formule1 or other places with unattended entrances.

It’s just a day trip, but if something unexpected happens... that’s when the trouble starts...

In France, I’ve never been asked for ID at a hotel

If you’re French, that’s normal. Otherwise, it’s just courteous.

It’s a day trip, but if something unexpected happens… That’s when the trouble starts…

Actually, we don’t know what the potential issue is in this discussion: expired passport, expired national ID? There are other ways to be in order than just having valid documents.

Michel

I’m not French.

You’ll have to explain all that to the hotel owner in Italy... 😉

I’m not French. You can go explain all that to the hotel owner in Italy... 😉

If they ask Italians too, it’s just a policy to monitor movements—not really in the European spirit. I never go to Italy, but I regularly refuse to let hotels in France photocopy my ID or passport. With a little reminder of the law.

Michel

I never go to Italy but I regularly refuse to let hotels in France photocopy my ID card or passport.

Oh really, you didn’t tell us you were a spy. You’re absolutely right not to hand over your details like that; agents from secret services—or should I say, the pétanque club of Cuges-les-Pins—could get hold of your personal data.

Protecting personal data is a major issue, and there are already enough hacks and abuses without adding to them. French law doesn’t require it, so wanting to do this is excessive.

Michel

so if you're going to Switzerland or Italy, you don't need an ID card then?