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Switzerland Visa and Passport Requirements
| Passport required | Return ticket required | Visa required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian | Yes | Yes | No |
| British | Yes | Yes | No |
| Canadian | Yes | Yes | No |
| EU | See below | No | No |
| USA | Yes | Yes | No |
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Switzerland is not a member of the European Union (EU) but a member of the Schengen Agreement. This means it allows free movements of EU nationals for up to 90 days.
EU nationals: When travelling from one border-free Schengen country to another by car, you are not required to show a passport or national ID card. However, transport providers like airlines, train operators and ferry companies will require you to show your passport or ID card to prove your identity.
Non-EU nationals: You must have a valid passport issued within the past ten years and with at least three months validity after the day you plan to leave, along with a return ticket and sufficient funds for the length of stay. Beware that Cyprus and Ireland are EU members, but they are not part of the Schengen area, so a passport or ID card is required if travelling to/from these countries.
Liechtenstein: Regulations apply to Liechtenstein as Switzerland handles immigration and customs enforcement for Liechtenstein.
Basel Airport (BSL), also known as Mulhouse (MLH) or EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (EAP): Passengers arriving at this airport can enter either France or Switzerland, provided that they have the appropriate documentation for the destination country. On the EuroAirport website, it states that pedestrians can cross the border between France and Switzerland inside the terminal without needing a plane ticket, but they must carry a valid passport or identity document. The international section is on the departure level (level 3) and is open from 4am and until 30 minutes after the last arrival (around midnight). Beware that you can't cross the border through the car parks.
Geneva Airport (GVA), also known as Cointrin Airport: Passengers arriving at this airport can enter either France or Switzerland if they have the appropriate documentation for the destination country. Beware that passengers arriving on international flights must first pass through Swiss customs before accessing the exit to France. Also, only passengers with a valid air ticket for the day (or plus and minus one day) can pass through the international section between France and Switzerland within the airport.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) will soon register all non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals at all border crossings of the Schengen Area.
EU nationals: You do not need a visa for Switzerland if the stay is less than 90 days. Those who plan to stay longer will need a residence permit.
Non-EU nationals: Americans, Australians, British and Canadians can travel to Switzerland (and any other Schengen countries) without a visa for up to 90 days in 180 days. This applies if you travel as a tourist, visit family or friends, or attend business meetings, cultural or sports events. For other purposes, you need to check with the Swiss embassy, high commission, or consulate in your home country on what type of visa and/or work permit you may need.
The complete list of countries and territories whose nationals can visit Switzerland and any other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in a 180-day period are as follows: Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macao, Malaysia, Marshal Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay and Venezuela.
• Hong Kong and Macao: holders of SAR passports do not need a visa.
• Taiwan: holders of passports issued by Taiwan which include an identity card number do not need a visa.
• Serbia: holders of biometric passports do not need a visa, excluding holders of passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate.
• Nationals from micro-states within an EU country (Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City) also do not need a visa.
For nationals from countries not listed here, please contact the nearest embassy to check the visa requirements for Switzerland.
Do check the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration website for the most up-to-date information.
• €90 for those who are 12 years old and above.
• €45 for children aged six to below 12.
• Free for children below six.
Visa fees are waived for the following applicants:
• School pupils, students, postgraduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake stays for the purpose of study or educational training.
• Researchers from third countries travelling for the purpose of carrying out scientific research.
• Representatives of non-profit organisations aged 25 years or less participating in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events organised by non-profit organisations.
• Family members of EU/EEA (European Economic Area) citizens, falling under Directive 2004/38.
Citizens of some countries need an airport transit visa when transiting through international parts of any airports within the Schengen countries, whereas citizens of certain countries are only required to have a transit visa for some of the Schengen countries. If you are not from a Schengen visa-exempt country, please check with a Swiss consulate near you.
EU nationals: Need to obtain a residence permit if the stay is more than 90 days.
Non-EU nationals: Need a visa if the stay is more than 90 days.
Schengen visa applications usually take 15 calendar days, but sometimes up to 45 days. Be mindful of the national holidays in Switzerland as they may affect the processing time. It is recommended to submit applications at least four weeks prior to departure.
Schengen visa holders with a visa valid for less than 90 days can only extend their visas in exceptional circumstances, such as force majeure or for humanitarian reasons.
For pets entering Switzerland from an EU country, the animal must have a microchip (ISO 11784/11785 compliant) or a clearly readable tattoo, provided it was applied before July 3, 2011. Additionally, the pet must have an EU Pet Passport issued by a licensed veterinarian, which includes details of the microchip or tattoo and vaccination records. A valid rabies vaccination certificate is also required, and the vaccination must have been administered at least 21 days prior to travel.
Pets arriving from non-EU countries must meet more specific requirements, depending on whether the country is classified as high-risk for rabies or rabies-controlled. All pets must have an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit microchip, which must be implanted before the rabies vaccination. If the vaccination was administered before the microchip, a new vaccination is required. For pets coming from high-rabies countries, a rabies titer test must be conducted 30 days after vaccination to confirm sufficient antibody levels. These pets can only travel to Switzerland three months after the blood sample is taken, meaning the total waiting period is at least four months. Additionally, a veterinary certificate issued by an authorised veterinarian is required, confirming that all health regulations have been met.
Pets should enter Switzerland through authorised entry points, such as Zurich Airport, where necessary checks can be conducted. Owners are strongly advised to consult the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) for the latest requirements.
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