Passport and visa regulations
Nationalities
| Passport required | visa required | Return ticket required | |
| Turkey | Yes | 2 | no |
| Switzerland | Yes, 1 | no | no |
| Austria | Yes, 1 | no | no |
| Germany | Yes, 1 | no | no |
| Other EU countries | Yes, 1 | no | no |
ID cards/identity cards
[1] et al. Nationals of the following countries listed in the table above can enter with a valid ID card: EU countries and Switzerland. (Exceptions: Citizens of Bulgaria, Denmark, Great Britain, Ireland, Croatia, Romania and Cyprus need a passport).
Passport information
Generally required, must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the visa if the traveler is not an EU citizen. Passports of EU citizens must be valid during the stay. When entering Switzerland, the German passport may have expired less than 1 year, the Austrian less than 5 years. Attention: Germans are, however, obliged to enter or leave Germany with valid identification papers (passport or identity card). Austrian travelers are also strongly advised to travel with valid travel documents. Note: Airline requirements may vary.
Note on the passport
Switzerland is a signatory and user of EU legal acts (Schengen Agreement).
Note on the endorsement in the passport
Important: Persons requiring a visa must carry a passport or another recognized travel document and the Schengen visa with them during their stay in the Schengen area.
Visa information
A visa is generally required except for citizens of the following countries listed in the table above for holiday and business trips of up to 3 months: (a) EU countries. (b) [2] Including Turkish citizens with a valid travel document for foreigners (alien’s travel document) from a Schengen country in connection with a valid residence permit for a Schengen country or with a valid D visa. Turkish students from German schools on class trips and with a certificate from the school management are also exempt from the visa requirement.
- Thembaprograms: Offers ultimate guide to duty-free shopping in Switzerland. Also includes import and export regulations, as well as embassy and telecommunication information about this country.
Costs
Varies depending on nationality and visa type. Schengen visa: Airport transit visa: €80.00 Short stay visa, less than 90 days: €80.00 Children over six and under twelve years of age: €40.00 Citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia: €35.00
Visa types and costs
Short-term, long-term, transit/airport transit visa (single and double), work and assembly visa.
Validity
Varies depending on the reason for your stay.
Transit
Travelers who require a visa and who travel on within 48 hours (Zurich airport) or on the same day (Geneva airport) in direct transit, have valid documents for the onward journey and do not leave the transit area do not need a transit visa. Turkish citizens do not need a transit visa only if they have a visa or residence permit for EU and EFTA countries, Andorra, Japan, Canada, Monaco, San Marino or the USA. In person at the relevant consular post in the applicant’s country of residence. In principle, the Swiss representations in Germany do not issue Schengen visas.
Application required
Varies depending on nationality, reason and length of stay. The responsible consular representations provide further information. Schengen visa: (a) Travel document (e.g. passport) valid for at least 3 months beyond the visa validity date, issued within the last 10 years and copies of the first four pages of the passport. (b) Where applicable, all original documents justifying the purpose (e.g. invitation of private persons or companies, medical certificate and appointment with the attending physician or in a hospital) and the conditions of the planned stay (e.g. hotel reservation).. (c) documents proving that the (invited) foreigner has sufficient funds to cover the costs of the stay and return journey as well as any costs for his medical care, if necessary in the form of an obligation to assume the costs. (d) Document proving that the alien is the holder, on an individual or collective basis, of valid international travel health insurance covering the cost of repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical treatment and/or hospital care. In principle, the applicant must take out insurance in the country of residence. If the host takes out insurance for the applicant, they must do so in their own country of residence. The insurance taken out must be valid for the entire territory of the Schengen countries and for the entire duration of the stay. Insurance must have at least €30,000 coverage. (e) Visa Fee. (f) 2 recent biometric passport photos. (g) 1 completed application form.
Schengen visas
Before entering the Schengen area, nationals of visa-required countries must apply for a Schengen visa for the country they enter first when transiting through the Schengen area. This is only issued by the competent consular representation of the country in which the person has their permanent residence.
Temporary Residence
Information from the consular representations or the immigration police. Information is available from the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).
Processing time
Short term stay: 6-8 weeks. Long-term stay: Several months.
Proof of sufficient funds
Travelers requiring a visa must have sufficient funds (CHF 100 per day of stay) or proof of accommodation. Excluded are citizens of EU and EFTA countries.
Legally Required Registration
Those requiring a visa: The required police registration is normally carried out by the hotel/guesthouse. Anyone staying the night privately must report to the local police station in person. When entering Germany with a work permit, you must register with the police within eight days, but before you start work. Self-employed service providers must also report to the police if they work in Switzerland for more than eight consecutive days in a 12-month period. Nationals of EU-25 and EFTA Member States who are not employed: The accommodation provider is only obliged to report immediately in the case of paid accommodation for foreigners. Citizens of the EU-25 and EFTA member states who take up work: There is only a reporting obligation for up to 90 actual working days per calendar year. The activity of posted workers and self-employed service providers is notifiable if it lasts more than eight days in total within a calendar year. The activity of posted employees and self-employed persons must be reported at least eight days before the planned start of work in Switzerland. A work permit is required for the provision of services for more than 90 days per calendar year.
Extension of stay
Citizens of the EU-27/EFTA: For a stay of more than 90 days, a residence permit must be submitted to the competent cantonal migration office in Switzerland within 14 days of arrival in Switzerland and before starting work.
Entry with children
German: Identity card or children’s passport or your own passport. Austrians: identity card or own passport. Swiss: Identity card or own passport. Turks: Own passport. Note: The same visa requirements apply to children as to their parents. Note: Minors traveling alone should bring a letter of consent from their parents/guardians and copies of their passports/ID cards. Since June 27, 2012, children need their own travel document (passport / children’s passport) for trips abroad (also within the EU). Entries of children in the parental passport are no longer possible.
Entry with pets
A permit from the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (BLV) is required for birds from all countries. Canaries are an exception to this. When entering from EU countries: Dogs, cats and ferrets over 12 weeks of age require an EU pet passport (pet pass), which shows that the animal has had a valid rabies vaccination at least 21 days before departure, if necessary a valid booster vaccination against rabies (waiting period of 21 days does not apply if this was done within the validity period of the previous vaccination). The animals must have an implanted microchip on their neck as an identifier. A border veterinary examination must be registered. Any number of animals can be brought from EU countries. When entering from non-EU countries with a low risk of rabies: Dogs, cats and ferrets over 12 weeks of age require a veterinary certificate stating that the animal has had a valid rabies vaccination, or a valid booster vaccination against rabies, if necessary became. The animals must have an implanted microchip on their neck as an identifier. A border veterinary examination is carried out. The import is limited to 5 animals. When entering from non-EU countries with a high risk of rabies: Attention: Dogs, cats and ferrets can only be imported directly by air via Geneva, Zurich or Basel airports. A direct import of birds by air is only possible via the airports in Geneva or Zurich. For dogs, Cats and ferrets over 12 weeks of age require a veterinary certificate stating that the animal has had a valid rabies vaccination and a valid rabies booster vaccination, if applicable. Entry is possible no earlier than 4 months after the vaccination. The animals must have an implanted microchip on their neck as an identifier. A border veterinary examination is carried out. A permit is also required. The import is limited to 5 animals. When re-entering Switzerland: Dogs, cats and ferrets from countries with a low risk of rabies aged over 12 weeks require an EU pet passport (pet pass) which shows that the animal has a valid rabies vaccination, possibly a valid one booster vaccination against rabies. The animals must have an implanted microchip on their neck as an identifier. The following regulation applies to dogs, cats and ferrets from countries where there is a risk of rabies: A pet passport is required for each animal, which confirms the current rabies vaccination. Before leaving Switzerland, the effectiveness of the vaccination must be confirmed with a blood analysis. In the case of re-vaccination after the blood analysis has been carried out, no further blood analysis is required. The animals must have an implanted microchip on their neck as an identifier. An import permit from the Federal Veterinary Office and a customs permit are only required for direct entry via Swiss airports. Note: According to the Federal Veterinary Office, dogs with cropped ears and tails may not be brought into Switzerland. Exceptions are for short stays, e.g Holiday trips, possible, but the decision is always up to the customs officials. The Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office FSVO provides an overview of the provisions for each individual case.
