Tourists can use prepaid mobile service in Switzerland, provided they complete the required identity verification. Swisscom, Sunrise and Salt all serve the prepaid market, but their offers work differently enough that headline data prices alone make a poor comparison.
Swisscom has a dedicated tourist package, Sunrise combines a paid starter pack with prepaid credit, and Salt separates its starter credit from optional data packs. The best choice depends on how long you are staying, whether you need a Swiss phone number and how much setup you want after arrival.
| Operator / Option | Plan | Data & Validity | Total Upfront Price | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swisscom | Prepaid Flat 7 | Unlimited data in Switzerland, 7 days | CHF 20 | Tourist-specific bundle with domestic calls |
| Sunrise | Prepaid Unlimited CH basic rate | Unlimited data/calls/SMS per charged 24h | CHF 19.90 starter pack | Includes CHF 20 prepaid credit |
| Salt | PrePay + 5GB pack | 5GB, 30 days | Not reliably published | Free SIM includes CHF 10 credit; 5GB pack costs CHF 14.95 |
| Roafly | 10GB Switzerland eSIM | 10GB, 30 days | $14.00 | Data-only; no physical SIM purchase |
Local operator prices and terms checked August 17, 2026. Prepaid prices, starter credit, promotions and activation conditions can change.
Swisscom is the clearest local option when a Swiss number and domestic calls matter. Sunrise suits short trips where the included starter credit can cover several daily usage periods. Salt offers more control over the data allowance, although its starter credit and data-pack price need to be considered separately.
Visitors who mainly need travel data can also compare Switzerland eSIM plans before deciding whether a local prepaid SIM is worth the extra setup.
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Can tourists buy a SIM card in Switzerland?
Yes. Visitors can buy and register prepaid mobile service in Switzerland without taking a long-term contract.
Identity verification is mandatory for new mobile customers, including prepaid users. The Swiss federal SIM identification guidance explains that telecommunications providers must identify customers and retain the required identification information.
Bring a valid passport or another document accepted by the operator. Registration can happen in a shop or through an approved digital verification process, depending on the provider and product.
Expect the following:
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valid identification is required;
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online prepaid eSIM registration can still involve an identity check;
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physical SIM purchases may be registered at the point of sale;
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the phone must be unlocked for another operator's SIM;
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foreign visitors should check any address or payment requirements before ordering.
Citizenship itself is not the deciding factor. The key issue is whether the operator accepts your identification and whether you can complete its registration process.
Best prepaid SIM cards in Switzerland for tourists
Swisscom Prepaid Flat: the simplest tourist-specific option
Swisscom publishes a dedicated Prepaid Flat offer for tourists, which makes its short-stay pricing easier to understand than many conventional prepaid structures.
The practical short-trip benchmark is Prepaid Flat 7 for CHF 20.
Current inclusions include:
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7-day validity;
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unlimited mobile data in Switzerland;
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mobile data speed stated by Swisscom as up to 50 Mbit/s;
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unlimited calls within Switzerland;
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unlimited SMS within Switzerland and abroad.
Swisscom also lists a CHF 19.90 activation charge that is currently waived for this offer. Promotional waivers can change, so the live purchase page should be checked before relying on that saving.
Physical tourist SIMs are sold through Swisscom shops. Swisscom also offers an eSIM route for the tourist package, which can remove the physical-SIM step for compatible phones.
Best fit: short-stay visitors who want a Swiss number, domestic calling and a fixed-duration local package.
Sunrise Prepaid: useful for short stays with daily charging
Sunrise uses a different model. Its prepaid starter pack costs CHF 19.90 and includes CHF 20 of prepaid credit.
The basic Unlimited CH prepaid rate charges CHF 2.50 per 24-hour usage period and includes domestic data, calls and SMS during that charged period.
That distinction matters because CHF 19.90 is not the price of a fixed eight-day bundle. The initial payment buys prepaid credit, and the daily rate is deducted as the service is used.
Sunrise gives foreign visitors a relatively clear path through its prepaid travel eSIM information. The operator states that a Swiss address is not required for its prepaid eSIM registration and that a foreign address can be used.
Digital registration includes identity verification, including an ID upload and video-selfie step. Physical prepaid SIMs remain available through Sunrise stores and eligible delivery channels.
Recharge options include major payment cards and digital wallets, alongside local Swiss payment methods and physical top-up channels.
Best fit: visitors staying roughly a week who prefer prepaid credit and daily charging instead of committing to a fixed-duration tourist bundle.
Salt PrePay: flexible 30-day data packs
Salt separates its starter SIM from optional data packages. Its PrePay offer currently advertises a free SIM with CHF 10 of included credit.
Current Switzerland data packs include:
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1GB for CHF 9.95;
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5GB for CHF 14.95;
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25GB for CHF 29.95.
Each of those data packs is listed with 30-day validity.
The starter credit is enough to cover the 1GB package at current prices, but it does not fully cover the 5GB or 25GB package. Extra credit is therefore needed if of the larger data packs is selected.
Salt does not publish universal complete first-payment figure that applies to every tourist buying and recharge route. For that reason, the comparison table marks the total upfront price as Not reliably published rather than pretending the free SIM makes the complete purchase free.
Foreign passports and foreign identity cards are accepted through Salt's identification process. Recharge can be handled or through multiple Swiss retail and transport-station channels.
Best fit: visitors who want a 30-day local data allowance and do not mind managing prepaid credit separately from the selected package.
What does a Swiss tourist SIM really cost upfront?
Swiss prepaid pricing becomes much clearer the starter product and the data service are separated.
Swisscom currently keeps the short-stay calculation simple: the seven-day tourist package is CHF 20, with the normally listed activation charge waived at the time checked.
Sunrise works through prepaid credit. The CHF 19.90 starter pack contains CHF 20 credit, and the CHF 2.50 daily domestic rate is deducted from that balance when used.
Salt begins with a free SIM and CHF 10 credit. Larger data packs cost more than the included balance, so additional credit must be added before those packs can be fully purchased.
This makes three numbers worth checking whenever you buy local prepaid service:
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starter SIM or starter-pack cost;
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credit included with that purchase;
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package or daily rate deducted from the credit.
Retailer-specific charges or promotional conditions should not be assumed unless the seller displays them clearly.
Prices checked August 17, 2026. Confirm the final payable amount before purchase because starter-credit rules, pack prices and promotions can change.
Where to buy a SIM card in Switzerland
Operator stores are the most straightforward choice when you want staff assistance with identification, SIM installation or account setup.
Swisscom directs physical tourist-SIM buyers to Swisscom shops. Sunrise also sells physical prepaid products through its stores, while Salt prepaid service is available through its own sales channels and participating retailers.
Online registration can be more convenient for compatible phones. Sunrise explicitly allows foreign-address registration for its prepaid eSIM, while Swisscom provides an eSIM option for its tourist package.
Top-ups are more widely available than starter SIMs. Sunrise and Salt both support several digital and physical recharge channels, including operator websites and Swiss retail locations.
Store stock varies, so finding a recharge point does not guarantee that the same location has the starter SIM or exact prepaid package you want.
Airport purchases can be convenient, but availability and pricing depend on the individual seller. This guide does not assume that every Swiss airport carries all three operators or that airport prices are automatically higher than city prices.
Registration and activation: what to bring
Keep your passport or another accepted identity document ready before starting the purchase.
The process usually follows this order:
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Choose the prepaid operator and package.
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Present or upload an accepted identity document.
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Complete the provider's registration or digital verification.
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Pay for the starter product or add enough prepaid credit.
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Insert the physical SIM or install the local eSIM.
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Activate or purchase the intended prepaid package.
Sunrise publishes of the clearest remote processes for foreign visitors. Registration can use a foreign address, while the identity check includes document submission and a short video-selfie step.
Salt accepts foreign passports and foreign ID cards through its identification system.
Swisscom gives tourists both physical-SIM and eSIM routes. Store purchase is the straightforward option when you want staff support with the registration process.
Keep the SIM packaging and account information until everything works. Those details can help with recharging, finding the assigned number or contacting support later.
Local SIM or Roafly eSIM?
Local prepaid service is stronger when the trip depends on a Swiss mobile number or domestic voice service.
Choose a Swiss local SIM when you need:
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a Swiss phone number;
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included domestic calls or SMS;
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a large local allowance;
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a prepaid account you may continue using after a short holiday;
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service on a phone without eSIM support.
Roafly removes several local-purchase steps for travelers who mainly need mobile data. Setup can be completed without replacing the physical SIM already in the phone, and there is no need to find a Swiss starter card after arrival.
Owner-verified Switzerland packages are 5GB for $9.90, 10GB for $14.00 and 20GB for $20, each valid for 30 days. Roafly's Switzerland plans are data-only, list Sunrise and Salt as local networks, and support hotspot/tethering across the purchased data allowance.
Those network names describe the networks listed for the product. They do not imply automatic switching, guaranteed coverage, a particular network priority or a specific mobile technology.
Keeping the primary SIM in place can also be useful when you want your regular number available while using Roafly for travel data.
Readers comparing travel-eSIM providers can use best eSIM options for Switzerland. Broader choices such as roaming, WiFi and local SIMs are covered in internet options for Switzerland.
Coverage and roaming considerations
Swisscom, Sunrise and Salt are the three local network operators compared here, but this page does not attempt to rank national speed or coverage.
Check the locations that matter to your itinerary instead. Mountain regions, remote valleys and rural routes can create a different coverage decision from a trip focused on Zurich, Geneva, Basel or Bern.
Domestic data also should not be treated as roaming data. Switzerland is outside the European Union, and roaming rights depend on the exact package rather than the operator name alone.
Cross-border travelers should verify whether their chosen plan covers France, Italy, Germany or Austria before leaving Switzerland. Separate Europe or roaming packages may be needed.
Which option is best for your trip?
Weekend to week: Swisscom Prepaid Flat 7 is the clearest local package when a Swiss number and domestic calls matter. Sunrise can also suit a short stay because its included prepaid credit funds several daily usage periods.
Two to four weeks with moderate data: Salt's 30-day packs become more relevant if you want a local prepaid line and are comfortable managing starter credit and package credit separately.
Data-only trip with minimal local setup: Roafly avoids the physical starter-SIM purchase and keeps the primary SIM in place.
Long stay or heavy local use: larger local prepaid allowances deserve a closer look. Swiss prepaid service can be the stronger choice when a local number, voice calls or a much larger domestic allowance outweighs the convenience of pre-travel eSIM setup.
FAQ
Do I need a passport to buy a SIM card in Switzerland?
Accepted identification is required for prepaid registration. International visitors commonly use a passport, while operators may also accept other identity documents.
Can I buy a Swiss SIM without a Swiss address?
Yes in some cases. Sunrise explicitly allows a foreign address for its prepaid eSIM registration. Address requirements should still be checked for the exact operator and purchase channel you plan to use.
Can tourists get a Swiss phone number?
Yes. Local prepaid mobile service can provide a Swiss number. Roafly's Switzerland product is data-only and does not provide a local phone number.
Is it better to buy a SIM at the airport?
Convenience is the main advantage, but stock and seller pricing can vary. Operator stores or official channels usually make current prepaid terms and registration requirements easier to verify.
Is Switzerland included in EU roaming?
Switzerland is not an EU member, so EU-style roaming inclusion should never be assumed. Check the exact roaming terms of your home plan or Swiss prepaid package before crossing a border.
Final recommendation
Swisscom Prepaid Flat 7 is the clearest local choice for a short visit when a Swiss number and domestic calls matter. Sunrise offers a flexible daily-charging model backed by starter credit, while Salt is better suited to travelers who want a defined 30-day data pack and are comfortable managing prepaid balance separately.
Roafly makes more sense when mobile data is the priority and avoiding a local SIM purchase matters more than having a Swiss number. Local prepaid remains the stronger fit for voice service, a local number or larger domestic usage needs.
Roafly publishes this guide and offers the travel-eSIM alternative discussed above.