Let's Get Started!
The Essential Cards We Need in SwitzerlandI was just cleaning my wallet and found out that I had a dozen or more cards inside my wallet. This made it bulky and not so comfortable on my backside. Upon sorting them, I realized that I only need to carry 8 cards. In no order importance, I've listed and shown them below. In my opinion, the Swiss Permit, Credit Card, and the Insurance Card should be carried at all times with no excuse in Switzerland and in the countries around Switzerland. I believe that it is important to acquire these cards at the earliest possible time after arriving in Switzerland.
1. Swiss Permit - The expatriate and his trailing family members should get this immediately arriving or within the first month of their arrival. Application and acquisition is done in the nearest Biometric Center. For us residing in Vevey, we applied for the Swiss Permit at the Lausanne Biometrics Center. I'll be posting a separate article on the process of acquiring and renewal. 2. Insurance Card - A Swiss Insurance is required when you live in Switzerland. Upon availing of one, the Insurance company will issue the expat and his family members a card. The card is used to pay medical bills, though it doesn't act as a credit card but a valid identification of your exiting insurance plan. After medical check-ups all you need to do is show the card and the clinic will bill your insurance company. The insurance company in turn will bill you. The same process applies when one buys from a local pharmacy. 3. Gas Card - After buying a car in Switzerland and acquiring a car insurance, the next best thing to have with a car is a Gas Card. It is so convenient, that not only can you gas up without the hassle of paying cash, but you can also use this to purchase from the gas station convenience store. Aside from that, although I don't have any knowledge if other companies are doing this, the company who expatriated us has an ongoing discount promotion tied-up with the gas company. So its both convenient and money-saving.
|
SPACE |
|