Coronavirus: list of countries with a variant of concern

The list was updated on 4 August. Currently there are no countries on the list of countries with a variant of concern.

Explanation of the list

The federal government maintains a list of countries where virus variants of concern are circulating. The Federal Office of Public Health FOPH compiles the list on behalf of the federal government according to certain criteria. Since the epidemiological situation is constantly changing, the list is updated accordingly as needed.

Have you stayed in a country with a variant of concern and are now entering Switzerland? On the page Entering Switzerland, you can find out which requirements you have to observe.

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List of countries with a variant of concern

Notice for foreign nationals

The list below is critical to Switzerland’s health-related measures at the border. However, the FOPH list does not state anything about whether or not you are allowed to enter. This is the responsibility of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). 

The newly added countries are written in bold in the respective list.

List valid upon arriving in Switzerland from 4.8.21

Countries with a variant of concern

Currently there are no countries on the list of countries with a variant of concern. India, Nepal and the UK were removed from the list with effect 4 August.

List valid for arrivals in Switzerland between 26.6.21 and 3.8.21

Countries* with a worrying variant

• India
• Nepal
• United Kingdom

* The following applies for all countries that do not share a border with Switzerland: If a country is on the list, this includes all of its areas, islands and overseas territories – even if they are not listed separately.

List valid for arrivals in Switzerland between 17.6.21 and 25.6.21

1. Countries*

• Andorra
• Argentina
• Bahrain
• Belgium
• Cabo Verde
  
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
  
• Egypt
• Georgia
  
• Kuwait
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Maldives
  
• Mexico
• Mongolia
  
• Netherlands (Kingdom of the)
• Paraguay
• Seychelles
  
• Slovenia
• Sweden
• Tanzania
• Uruguay
  
  

2. Countries* with a worrying variant

 

• Brazil
• Canada
• India
• Nepal
• South Africa
• United Kingdom

* The following applies for all countries that do not share a border with Switzerland: If a country is on the list, this includes all of its areas, islands and overseas territories – even if they are not listed separately.
 

3. Areas of neighbouring countries

France:

• Région Centre-Val de Loire
• Région Hauts-de-France
• Région Île de France
• Région Normandie
• Région Pays de la Loire
  

No longer on the list from 17.6.21: Estonia

Older lists can be found in the corresponding version of the “COVID-19 Ordinance on International Passenger Transport Measures”. Access to all versions of this ordinance can be gained in the classified compilation (listed on the right-hand side in a box).

A reproduction of the list on a world map can be found on our website covid19.admin.ch.

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How is this different from the SEM list?

The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) also has a list of high-risk countries. In this list the question is what countries you can enter Switzerland from. You will find more information on the SEM website. If you have a Swiss passport or a valid residence permit, you may travel to Switzerland from any country.

If you are permitted to travel to Switzerland, you must check what rules apply to entry. You might have to fill out an entry form for incoming travellers, show proof of a negative test and/or go into quarantine. These measures are independent of the above list of countries with a variant of concern.

Last modification 03.08.2021