Good to Know
Here you will find key information for life in Zug: opening hours, public holidays, residence permits, insurance, rules on alcohol, tobacco and pets, and useful tips about cultural habits in Switzerland.
Opening Hours and Public Holidays
Most shops are closed on Sundays in Switzerland, except for those in railway stations. Official holidays are set by the cantons.
Holidays are regulated by labour law and are legally treated the same as Sundays.
1 August is the national holiday and is observed throughout the country. In addition, each canton defines eight further official holidays. In Canton Zug these are:
- New Year's Day (1 January)
- Good Friday (Friday before Easter)
- Ascension Day (Thursday, 40 days after Easter Sunday)
- Corpus Christi (second Thursday after Pentecost)
- Assumption Day (15 August)
- All Saints' Day (1 November)
- Immaculate Conception Day (8 December)
- Christmas (25 December)
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Opening hours vary by canton. In Canton Zug, shops open as early as 6:00 in the morning. They generally close by 19:00 from Monday to Friday and by 17:00 on Saturdays. Some municipalities allow late-night shopping, in which case shops are open until 21:00 on one weekday evening. Most shops are closed on Sundays except for those in railway stations, which are usually open seven days a week and often for longer hours.
Office hours for cantonal public services vary. Most offices are open from Monday to Friday in the mornings and afternoons, but close during lunch. Opening hours for municipal services differ widely. In smaller municipalities, hours may be limited. It is advisable to check in advance by telephone or online.
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Residence Permits
To live in Switzerland for an extended period or to work here, you need a permit. There are different residence permits and a settlement permit.
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Working in Switzerland or staying for more than three months requires a permit. Permits are issued by the Office for Economy and Labour (Amt für Wirtschaft und Arbeit, AWA).
There are short-term permits (up to 1 year), residence permits (temporary), and settlement permits (permanent).
- Short-term permit (L): For people staying in Switzerland for a limited time (usually up to one year) for a specific reason. Most EU/EFTA citizens with an employment contract for three months up to one year are entitled to this permit.
- Residence permit (B): For people living in Switzerland for a longer period. Most EU/EFTA citizens with an employment contract exceeding one year are entitled to this permit. EU/EFTA citizens usually receive a permit valid for five years. Citizens of other countries generally receive a permit valid for one year; an extension must then be applied for. The extension may be granted under certain conditions (for example, taking German classes). There is no automatic right to an extension. Reasons against an extension may include a criminal offence or dependence on welfare. Recognised refugees may also be granted a B permit.
- Settlement permit (C): Granted after five or ten years of residence in Switzerland. Different rules apply to EU/EFTA citizens and to nationals of third countries.
- Provisionally admitted foreigners (F): For asylum seekers who are not officially recognised as refugees but are provisionally admitted. This permit must be renewed every year.
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Amt für Migration / Foreigners' permits (DE)
Bundesverwaltung / Information for citizens of EU/EFTA countries
Bundesverwaltung / Information for citizens of non-EU/EFTA countries
Foreigners living in Switzerland receive a foreigner ID card. The type of card depends on various factors. Cards exist in credit-card format and as paper ID cards (non-biometric); some people receive a biometric foreigner ID card. The biometric card contains a data chip; fingerprints and a photograph are stored. Individuals are required to attend an in-person appointment for data collection at the Immigration Office. Appointment details are sent by post; if the time is not convenient, it can be rescheduled online using the login details provided. All identification documents are sent by registered post to one's home address. Lost or stolen identification must be reported to the police immediately.
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Amt für Migration / Biometric data collection (DE)
Amt für Migration / Lost Foreigner Identification (DE)
The process for extending a permit depends on the permit type and your citizenship. If an extension is required, you will receive a reminder form (Verfallsanzeige). Complete the form and send it by post to the Office for Migration (Amt für Migration), together with your original foreigner ID card and a copy of a valid passport or identity card, at least two weeks before the permit expires. The Office for Migration will check whether all requirements for an extension are met and will answer any additional questions.
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Personal Liability Insurance
Personal liability insurance covers costs that arise when you unintentionally cause damage to another person or to their property. Although not compulsory, it is strongly recommended for all adults in Switzerland.
If you injure someone or damage another person’s property, you are legally and financially responsible, even if the damage was caused unintentionally. Costs can be very high. For example, injuring someone in a skiing accident can result in claims amounting to hundreds of thousands of Swiss francs.
Personal liability insurance (Privathaftpflichtversicherung) protects you from financial difficulties in such cases. This insurance is provided by most private insurance companies. An insurance policy can often cover the entire household.
Personal liability insurance covers:
- property damage,
- injury to other individuals,
- costs of repairs, medical treatment, loss of wages, and compensation for pain and suffering,
- damages caused by certain pets.
It does not cover damages to persons living in the same household, nor damages caused intentionally or by gross negligence.
Alcohol, Tobacco and Narcotics
Possession, use or sale of illegal drugs is punishable by law. Age limits apply to the sale of alcohol and tobacco.
Possessing, using or selling illegal drugs is against the law, even in small amounts. The Federal Act on Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (Betäubungsmittelgesetz) defines which substances are prohibited. Drug trafficking is punished severely.
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In Canton Zug, tobacco products and alcoholic beverages may not be sold to individuals under the age of 16. The minimum age for purchasing spirits and other strong alcoholic beverages is 18.
Rules on smoking vary by canton. In Canton Zug, smoking is prohibited in:
- enclosed public spaces (such as hospitals, public offices, schools, museums, cinemas, theatres, trains and buses, shops and shopping centres). Train station and their platforms are also smoke-free zones.
- workplaces shared by more than one person.
Whether smoking is allowed in a restaurant depends on its size. Some restaurants have designated smoking areas.
Pets
Pet owners must follow several rules. Some animals are not allowed in every apartment. In addition, dog owners must pay a dog tax.
Tenants may keep small pets such as guinea pigs, hamsters, canaries or fish. Larger animals (including cats and small dogs) may be prohibited under the rental contract. Noisy or dangerous animals may also be prohibited.
Animal protection laws must be observed. Some animals, such as rabbits, may not be kept alone. There are also rules on the size and equipment of cages. Many exotic animals may not be brought into Switzerland; others require special authorisation from the veterinary office.
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All dogs in Switzerland must have a microchip and be registered in a database. Owners receive a dog ID card (credit-card format). This card is not the same as the Pet Passport, which is required for travel to EU countries.
Dogs must be registered with the municipality of residence. A yearly dog tax must be paid for each dog.
Owners must clean up after their dogs. Failure to do so may result in a fine.
Some breeds, such as pit bulls or rottweilers, require special authorisation.
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Brochure "Regulations on dogs in the municipalities of Zug" (DE)
In the canton of Zug, dogs must be kept on a leash from April 1 to July 31 in forests and along forest edges to protect wildlife and vegetation during the breeding and nesting season. In some municipalities, such as Hünenberg, additional regulations may apply, such as a year-round leash requirement in public areas or a prohibition on entering agricultural fields. It is important to observe the specific municipal regulations.
Daily Customs in Switzerland
Every country has its own customs. In Switzerland, there are several unwritten rules worth observing.
Switzerland is culturally diverse, largely because of its four language regions. Regional attitudes vary: customs in the German-speaking part of Switzerland do not necessarily apply to those in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Differences between urban and rural areas can also be considerable. Nevertheless, some common habits apply across the country.
A typical Swiss greeting involves a handshake and eye contact. This applies equally to greetings between men and women. The common greeting is «grüezi» (friends may use «hallo» or «hoi»). In rural areas it is common to greet passers-by, even if you do not know them. Saying «thank you» and «please» is very important and repeating them in shops or restaurants is almost a ritual.
Swiss punctuality is more than a cliché. If you are more than five minutes late, you should call. Being on time is especially valued in the workplace. Meetings are usually arranged in advance. Unannounced social visits are uncommon.
