Do You Need a Travel Adapter for Switzerland?
Switzerland uses Type C and Type J sockets at 230 V, 50 Hz. Phone and laptop chargers from Europe plug straight in. From the US, the UK, Australia, Canada and Japan you need a Type J adapter. Single-voltage hair dryers from the US, Canada and Japan also need a voltage converter.
Switzerland uses Type J (SN 441011, formerly SEV 1011). Two-pin Type C Europlugs fit every Swiss socket. Grounded Schuko (Type F) and French (Type E) plugs do not fit the recessed hexagonal Type J socket. Type J looks like Brazil's Type N but they are not interchangeable.
Check your own plug
Verdict by where you are travelling from
Shop links go to the Amazon store for each origin. Some links on this site are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
| From | Phone, laptop or USB charger | Hair dryer or straightener | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| The US | Adapter Type J | Converter + Type J adapter | Type J adapter · Step-down converter (amazon.com) |
| The UK | Adapter Type J | Adapter Type J | Type J adapter (amazon.co.uk) |
| Europe | Works | Adapter Type J | Type J adapter (amazon.de) |
| Australia | Adapter Type J | Adapter Type J | Type J adapter (amazon.com.au) |
| Canada | Adapter Type J | Converter + Type J adapter | Type J adapter · Step-down converter (amazon.ca) |
| Japan | Adapter Type J | Converter + Type J adapter | Type J adapter · Step-down converter (amazon.co.jp) |
Phone, laptop, USB and camera chargers are dual voltage, so they only need the right plug. Single-voltage hair dryers, straighteners and kettles need a converter unless rated for 220–240 V; electric shavers and CPAP machines vary by model. Read the INPUT line on the label. Adapter or converter?
More about sockets in Switzerland
1 other country or territory in Europe has exactly the same socket types (of 53 in the region). The national plug standard is SN 441011 (former: SEV 1011:2009).
Standard from Wikipedia, Mains electricity by country (CC BY-SA 4.0), retrieved 8 September 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What plug does Switzerland use?
Switzerland uses Type C and Type J sockets. Type C: two round 4 mm pins, 19 mm apart. Type J: two round pins and an offset round earth pin.
What is the voltage in Switzerland?
Switzerland runs on 230 V at 50 Hz.
Can I charge my iPhone or laptop in Switzerland?
Yes. Phones, laptops and USB chargers are dual voltage (100–240 V), so 230 V is fine. Chargers from Europe plug straight in. From the US, the UK, Australia, Canada and Japan you need a Type J plug adapter.
Do I need a voltage converter for Switzerland?
Only for single-voltage appliances made for 100–127 V countries, such as many hair dryers, straighteners and kettles. Anything marked INPUT 100–240 V works with a plug adapter alone.
Route guides
Other countries in Europe
Same plugs and voltage as Switzerland
Socket types: Type C Type J · Voltage by country
Data verified 8 September 2026 against the IEC World Plugs dataset, WorldStandards and Wikipedia, plus an official national source for Switzerland. How this data was verified.