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.
Notice for foreign nationals
You may not be allowed to enter Switzerland. Before you travel, you should check the following:
- 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.
- 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. The interactive travel check tool shows you what measures apply to you.
Here you’ll find a simplified overview of the current health-related measures at the border:
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 the following applies to you:
- You are entering Switzerland by airplane. This also includes a stopover in Switzerland, for example air travellers who have to change flight.
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.
What do you do if you don’t have internet access to fill out the form?
Instead you should fill out the paper version before you board and begin your journey to Switzerland. You can download and print the paper version of the entry form yourself or ask for it from the transport operator staff.
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
Are you not fully vaccinated or unable to prove that you have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months? In the following cases you will have to present proof of a negative PCR test (not older than 72 hours) or rapid antigen test (not older than 48 hours):
- You are entering Switzerland by airplane.
- Within the last 10 days before entering Switzerland, you have been in a place with a variant of concern.
Children under the age of 16 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.
Quarantine for persons arriving in Switzerland
Have you been in a country with a variant of concern in the last 10 days before entering Switzerland? If you have not been vaccinated or are unable to prove that you have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months, you must go into quarantine after entering Switzerland.
Follow the instructions under What to do after entering Switzerland and report your arrival to the cantonal authority. Despite having filled out the entry form you need to report your arrival to the canton.
The quarantine requirement is governed by the list valid at the moment of entry into Switzerland. The quarantine requirement also applies to children.
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, 01.07.2021). 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.
| Canton | Contact details |
|---|---|
| Aargau | Online application form (In German) |
| Appenzell Ausserrhoden | Online application form (In German) |
| Appenzell Innerrhoden | Homepage (In German) |
| Basel-Landschaft |
Homepage (In German) |
| Basel-Stadt | Homepage (In German) |
| Bern | Online application form (In German) |
| Fribourg | Homepage (In German) |
| Geneva | Online application form (In French) |
| Glarus | |
| Graubünden | |
| Jura |
|
| Lucerne | Homepage (In German) |
| Neuchâtel | Homepage (In French) |
| Nidwalden | Online application form (In German) |
| Obwalden | |
| St. Gallen | Online application form (In German) |
| Schaffhausen | +41 52 632 70 01 |
| Schwyz | Online application form (In German) |
| Solothurn | Homepage (In German) |
| Thurgau | Online Application Form (In German) |
| Ticino | Homepage (in Italian) |
| Uri | Online application form (In German) |
| Valais | Online application form |
| Vaud |
Homepage (in French) |
| Zug | Online application form (In German) |
| Zurich | Online application form |
| Principality of Liechtenstein | Homepage (in German) |
Additional information for incoming persons
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 apply to people who have been vaccinated with one of the following vaccines:
- Pfizer/BioNTech (BNT162b2 / Comirnaty® / Tozinameran)
- Moderna (mRNA-1273 / Spikevax / COVID-19 vaccine Moderna)
- AstraZeneca (AZD1222 Vaxzevria®/ Covishield™)
- Janssen / Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S)
- Sinopharm / BIBP (SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (Vero Cell))
- Sinovac (CoronaVac)
The exemptions to the health-related measures at the border apply for twelve months from the time that you are fully vaccinated.
Last modification 08.07.2021
Contact
Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Infoline for people travelling to Switzerland
Tel.
+41 58 464 44 88