Becoming a Mountain Guide in France and Switzerland: ENSA State Diploma, SBV Federal Certificate, Fees and Rules for Foreigners | IFMGA Mountain Guides
France trains guides at a single school, ENSA, with an official 2026 fee of €17,694.50, at least 4 years, taught in French. Switzerland runs modules through the SBV association, with 2026 module prices adding up to about CHF 31,230 over roughly 3 years, taught in German and French. In both countries guiding clients for pay without the licence is an offence. Neither country lists a nationality requirement for applicants, but the apprenticeship means guiding real clients, so non-EU citizens first need the right to work there.