As at June 2021, Switzerland is opening itself up to tourists and foreigners - however whether they will be allowed in all depends on where they are coming from and whether they are vaccinated.
Another thing to remember is that there are two sets of rules for entry. One is whether you are allowed to enter. The other is whether you will need to quarantine.
Of course, Swiss citizens and permanent residents returning to Switzerland are not prevented from entry, but could be ordered to quarantine if they have not been vaccinated and have been in a variant risk area.
Everyone entering by plane will need to fill out the following form.
READ MORE: Here is the form you need to enter Switzerland
Please note that children under the age of 18 are allowed to travel to Switzerland, even if they have not been vaccinated and have not contracted the virus and recovered recently, provided they are travelling with an adult who complies with the entry rules.
If the adult needs to be tested, the child will also need to be tested only if he or she is aged 16 or 17. Children aged under 16 do not need to be tested.
Here's what you need to know.
Entry from the Schengen zone and EFTA countries
There are no entry restrictions for people arriving from Schengen and EU countries or from the small European states like Andorra, the Vatican, Monaco and San Marino, provided you arrive via land.
Therefore, arrivals from these countries are allowed to enter Switzerland and will not have to quarantine or fill out the entry form.
If you arrive via air, you will need to be vaccinated or recovered from the virus.
If you have not been vaccinated or recovered from the virus, you will need to present a negative PCR test (not older than 72 hours) or a negative rapid antigen test (not older than 48 hours) before boarding your flight to Switzerland.
The only possible restriction could be where one of these countries is shown to have a variant of concern (VOC) of the virus.
People from countries or regions with a VOC will still be allowed to enter if they have been vaccinated or recovered.
Those who have not been vaccinated or recovered must go into quarantine and show a negative PCR or antigen test.
What about outside the EU/Schengen/EFTA zone?
On June 26th, Switzerland's rules will be relaxed to allow entry from outside the bloc.
This means that people can enter from non-Schengen zone countries, provided they have been vaccinated in the past 12 months or have recovered from the virus in the past six months.
READ MORE: Switzerland set to reopen its borders to vaccinated travellers including Americans
This includes the United States and other non-Schengen countries which are not on the 'variant of concern' list.
You must be inoculated with your second dose at least two weeks previously with one of the vaccines approved by the European Union, Swissmedic and WHO, which currently are Moderna, Pfizer / Biontech, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson, along with the two Chinese vaccines Sinopharm and Sinovac.
What about entering from a ‘Variant of Concern’ area?
As at August 4th, there are no countries on Switzerland's variant of concern list.
Prior to August 4th, the UK, India and Nepal are variant of concern countries. Prior to June 26th, these areas included Brazil, Canada, India, South Africa, Nepal, and the UK.
People arriving from variant of concern areas who have been vaccinated within the past 12 months or recovered from Covid within the past six months — and can prove it — can enter Switzerland without any obligation to test or quarantine.
All others arriving from these areas should show a negative PCR or rapid antigen test result and then go into quarantine, the Federal Council said.
More information is available at the following official government page.
Anyone wanting to enter Switzerland can use this official Swiss government tool to work out if they can - and what rules they must comply with.
‘Travelcheck’: This tool shows you what you need to enter Switzerland
What does 'arrival' mean?
However, these rules apply only to people who arrive directly from safe locations.
If you are coming from a high-risk country, say the United States, and transit through Germany, you are not considered to be arriving from Germany. In other words, what counts is the origin of your flight, not transit points.
Keep in mind that what is relevant here is where you are coming from, not your nationality.
For instance, Americans who live in Germany - a Schengen country - will be allowed to enter Switzerland without proof of vaccination, but those coming all the way from the US will need to provide proof.
What are the quarantine rules?
This will depend on where you are coming from and if you've been vaccinated or have recovered from the virus.
Currently, 'variant of concern' areas include Brazil, Canada, India, South Africa, Nepal, and the UK.
People arriving from these areas who have been vaccinated within the past 12 months or recovered from Covid within the past six months — and can prove it — can enter Switzerland without any obligation to test or quarantine.
All others arriving from these areas should show a negative PCR or rapid antigen test result and then go into quarantine, the Federal Council said.
More information is available at the following official government page.
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