Coronavirus: Entering Switzerland

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic there are special rules for people entering Switzerland. Depending on the type of travel, you might have to fill out an entry form, show proof of a negative test and/or go into quarantine.

You may not be allowed to enter Switzerland. Before you travel, you should check the following:

  1. Am I even allowed to travel to Switzerland? You’ll find the answer to this question on the website of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) as the SEM is responsible for Switzerland’s entry requirements.
  2. Only if entry is permitted: what rules are there? You’ll find the answer to this on the FOPH website as the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) is responsible for health-related measures at the border. Please also note the section Additional information for incoming tourists.

Anyone who has a Swiss passport or a valid Swiss residence permit can enter Switzerland at any time.

All travellers must take note of the health-related measures at the Swiss border:

Regeln-Einreise_EN

You will find information on the individual rules in the relevant sections of this page:


Entry form

You will find the entry form for incoming travellers at swissplf.admin.ch. Fill out the form before you enter Switzerland.

Who has to fill out the entry form?

You must complete the form if one of the following applies to you:

  • You are entering Switzerland by rail, bus or coach, boat or air. This also includes a stopover in Switzerland, for example air travellers who have to change flight.
  • You have stayed in a country or area with an increased risk of infection in the ten days before entering Switzerland.

Children: The entry form must also be filled out for children. They can be included on the form of an adult travelling with them.

Filling out and control

Fill out the electronic entry form on a computer or smartphone before or during travel. Once you’ve filled out the form you’ll be emailed a QR code as confirmation. Have this code ready for inspection when you enter Switzerland. If you are controlled you can show the QR code on your smartphone or produce a printed confirmation. If you have not filled out the entry form despite the obligation to do so, the controlling authority can punish you with a CHF 100 fine. The same applies if you provide false information on the form.

Further information on the entry form

You'll find plenty of information in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). For example you'll find information on what to do if you don’t have a seat number or if there are technical problems, about data protection and about the paper version of the form.

Do you have questions that aren’t answer in the FAQs? You can call the infoline on +41 58 464 44 88 from 6am to 11pm, 7 days a week. You’ll find information on the costs of the call on the Contact information and links page.


Negative test result

When entering Switzerland, you must be able to show proof of a negative coronavirus test in two cases:

  1. If you enter Switzerland by air. Information in this regard can be found in the section Rules for entering Switzerland by air.
  2. If you have stayed in a location within the last ten days before entering Switzerland that is included on the FOPH list of risk countries. In this case, you must always be able to show proof of a negative test result, even if you enter Switzerland by bus, rail, car, boat, etc. Information in this regard can be found in the section Rules for entering Switzerland by land or water.

Children under the age of 12 are never required to provide proof of a negative coronavirus test on entering Switzerland. They are exempt from the test requirement on boarding and from the test requirement at the Swiss border.

For young people aged between 12 and 16, the same applies as for children, as long as they are not travelling from a country that is on the FOPH list of risk countries due to a variant of concern.

Rules for entering Switzerland by air

If you enter Switzerland by air, you must be able to show proof of a negative test at two different times: firstly on boarding the departing flight in the foreign country, and secondly at the Swiss airport (when crossing the Swiss border). Note: The tests accepted, and the exceptions to the test requirement, will be different at the two controls.


1. Boarding control:
The airlines systematically check your negative coronavirus test result prior to boarding. The results of the following tests are permissible for this control:

  • A PCR test carried out within the last 72 hours
  • A rapid antigen test carried out within the last 24 hours

If you are unable to show proof of a negative test result during the control, you are, generally speaking, not permitted to board the aircraft. Exceptions and details can be found here:


2. Swiss border control:
Border control authorities in the airport check the negative test result on a random basis. For this control, a result brought from the following test is permissible:

  • A PCR test carried out within the last 72 hours

If you do not have a valid negative PCR test on entry, you must obtain one as soon as possible. The absence of a PCR or rapid antigen test upon entry by air, or the absence of a PCR test upon entry by land may be sanctioned by the control authority.

Regardless of whether you are controlled or not, the following rules also apply:

  • Get a PCR or rapid antigen test as soon as possible.
  • If this test is positive, you must immediately go into isolation.

Exceptions: Certain individuals are not required to show proof of a negative test result at the Swiss border. Information in this regard can be found under the heading Exemptions from the testing and quarantine requirement.

Why is a rapid antigen test taken in Switzerland permissible but this is not the case for a rapid antigen test taken abroad? The reason for this is that we are familiar with the quality standard for the test in Switzerland and know that it is sufficiently reliable. For rapid antigen tests taken abroad, the quality standard is often unknown.

Rules for entering Switzerland by land or water

If you have stayed in a location within the last ten days before entering Switzerland that is included on the FOPH list of risk countries, you not only have to go into quarantine, but must also be able to show proof of a negative coronavirus test (regardless of the means of transport you use).

Customs at the Swiss border check the negative test result of those entering Switzerland on a random basis. For this control, a result from the following test is permissible:

  • A PCR test carried out within the last 72 hours

If you don’t have a PCR test result, the control authority at the border can punish you with a CHF 200 fine. Regardless of whether you are controlled or not, the following rules also apply:

  • Get a PCR or rapid antigen test as soon as possible.
  • If this test is positive, you must immediately go into isolation.

Exceptions: Certain individuals are not required to show proof of a negative test result at the Swiss border. Information in this regard can be found under the heading Exemptions from the testing and quarantine requirement.


Quarantine for persons arriving in Switzerland

Check the FOPH list of high-risk countries: Were you in one of the states or areas on the list at any point in the 10 days before entry into Switzerland? If you were, you are legally obliged to go into quarantine. In this case:

The quarantine requirement is governed by the list valid at the moment of entry into Switzerland. The quarantine requirement also applies to children.

Exceptions: A negative test result does not override the quarantine requirement. However, certain people are exempt from the quarantine requirement. You'll find details in the Exemptions from the Testing and Quarantine Requirement section.

What to do after entering Switzerland

  • Upon arrival, go immediately to your home or to other suitable accommodation (e.g. a hotel or holiday apartment). On the way there, keep a minimum distance of 1.5 metres from other people. If you are unable to maintain this distance, we recommend that you wear a mask. Avoid public transport if possible.

  • Report your arrival  to the cantonal authority responsible within two days.

  • For 10 days after your arrival in Switzerland you must stay in your home or other suitable accommodation without going out. Avoid contact with other people and follow the instructions in the document instructions on quarantine (PDF, 343 kB, 31.05.2021). This document is also available in the languages of the migrant population.

  • There is the possibility of shortening travel quarantine from day 7 onwards. You’ll find information on the Isolation and Quarantine site.


The cantonal authorities are responsible for monitoring quarantine, and they conduct spot checks. Anyone who fails to comply with the quarantine requirement is committing an offence under the Epidemics Act (in German), which can be punished by a fine of up to CHF 10,000.

Further information on quarantine

You'll find more information on travel quarantine in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). There you’ll find answers to questions on things like continued payment of salary and loss of earnings during quarantine.

Do you still have questions that aren’t answered in the FAQs? You can call the infoline on +41 58 464 44 88 from 6am to 11pm, 7 days a week. You’ll find information on the costs of the call on the Contact information and links page.

Contact details of the cantonal authorities

Contact the competent cantonal authority within two days of your arrival.


Exemptions from the testing and quarantine requirement

The general rule: Anyone who has been in a country or area with an increased risk of infection must go into quarantine in Switzerland. However, various groups of people are exempt from the quarantine requirement and the obligation to present a negative test result at the Swiss border.

This is how to find out whether you are exempt from the quarantine and test* requirements:

  1. Check the FOPH’s list of risk countries: What category does the country or area you have been in fall into?
  2. In the relevant box you’ll find the exemptions that apply to you:

Additional information for incoming tourists

On the Measures and Ordinances page you will see what rules and bans apply on a nationwide basis. In other words, these coronavirus-related measures at the very least apply all over Switzerland; the cantons may have stricter measures. This means you should also find out from the canton to which you are travelling what rules apply there.  

Please also observe the distancing and hygiene rules that apply in Switzerland. This is the best way to protect yourself and others from infection with the coronavirus.

Have you started to have symptoms of illness after entering Switzerland? Take them seriously and follow the instruction on the Isolation and Quarantine page.


COVID-19 vaccination requirements

People who are fully vaccinated are exempt from many health-related measures at the border. These exemptions only apply for vaccinations that meet one of the following requirements:

  • The vaccine is authorised in Switzerland. The person must also be fully vaccinated according to the FOPH recommendations.
  • The vaccine is authorised for the EU by the European Medicines Agency. The person must also be fully vaccinated according to the requirements or recommendations of the country in which the vaccine was administered.
  • The vaccine is authorised according to the WHO’s Emergency Use Listing. The person must also be fully vaccinated according to the requirements or recommendations of the country in which the vaccine was administered.

The exemptions to the health-related measures at the border apply for six months from the time that you are fully vaccinated. This six-month time limit applies because there is currently too little scientific data on how long the protection afforded by the vaccines lasts.

Last modification 23.06.2021

Top of page

Contact

Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Infoline for people travelling to Switzerland
Tel. +41 58 464 44 88

Print contact

https://www.bag.admin.ch/content/bag/en/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/novel-cov/empfehlungen-fuer-reisende/quarantaene-einreisende.html