Switzerland
Swiss Confederation
At a glance
Switzerland visa & entry requirements
Whether you need a visa for Switzerland depends on your nationality. Here’s the entry picture at a glance, with official links and a way to check the exact rule for your passport.
Short-stay tourist entry to Switzerland, across 198 nationalities in our dataset. Your own requirement depends on your passport — check it below.
Good to know
- Switzerland is part of the Schengen Area. Entry requirements depend on your nationality and the purpose of your stay — check the SEM 'Entry requirements by nationality' pages before you travel.
- Visa-exempt third-country nationals may stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period for tourism or business without a visa.
- Nationals who require a visa need a Schengen C (short-stay) visa. The SEM itself does not issue visas — Swiss representations abroad (embassies/consulates) issue them, and applications are made via the official swiss-visa.ch system.
- Your travel document must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended date of departure from the Schengen area, and you must show sufficient financial means for the stay and return.
- From the last quarter of 2026, visa-exempt non-EU nationals will need an ETIAS travel authorisation (fee €20, valid up to three years) for short stays; the exact start date will be announced by the EU beforehand.
Switzerland has been a Schengen member since 2008: no passport checks at internal borders, one 90/180-day allowance for visitors.
Been to Switzerland already?
Scratch it off and the sheet keeps the receipt — what your passport needed to get in.
Scratch Switzerland in →Do you need a visa for Switzerland?
Pick your passport and get the exact entry rule for Switzerland — visa-free, visa on arrival, e-Visa or apply in advance.
Staying online in Switzerland
- Use home banking & apps that block foreign IP addresses
- Reach sites & services that may be blocked locally
- Encrypt hotel, café & airport WiFi
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on your nationality. Citizens of 93 countries can currently enter Switzerland visa-free for short tourist stays, while others need a visa on arrival, an e-Visa or a visa arranged in advance. Use the visa checker to see the rule for your passport.
Fees vary by visa type and nationality. When we have indicative figures for Switzerland they’re shown above, but they’re compiled from third-party sources — always confirm the current fee on the official government site before you apply.
Start on Switzerland’s official government entry or e-Visa page (linked above when available). Check which visa type fits your trip, prepare a passport valid for your whole stay and any required documents, and apply well before you travel.
Power & plugs
Switzerland runs on 230V with plug types C, J. Most chargers work with a simple plug adapter.
Good news — these socket types are mutually compatible, so a single Type C adapter covers all of Switzerland.
Full power guide for SwitzerlandLocation
Light & dark
Bern swings from 9-hour winter days to 16 hours of summer light. Today the sun sets at 19:36.
Build a packing plan tailored to Switzerland, its weather and your trip.