Switzerland Reopens For Tourism: Full List Of Countries Allowed To Travel

Last updated: September 12, 2020

Switzerland first reopened its borders for tourism to EU and EFTA tourists on June 15th, 2020. By July 20, 2020 Switzerland also welcomed certain third-party countries outside the EU.

Who Can Travel To Switzerland?

Here’s the current list of EU/EFTA nations allowed to travel to Switzerland. In line with EU’s guidelines, Switzerland also lifted travel restrictions for certain third-party countries also in this list:

Switzerland also reopened borders for countries outside the EU. In other words, they responded to the EU’s suggestion of opening its borders to 14 out of 15 approved countries as of July 20, 2020.

Is There A Mandatory Quarantine?

Meanwhile, approved travelers such as Swiss nationals returning home, essential workers, spouses of EU nationals, etc., coming from high-risk nations are able to enter Switzerland. However, they are required to undertake a mandatory 10-day self-quarantine.

Argentina
Armenia
The Bahamas
Bahrain
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Cape Verde
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Eswatini (Swazsiland)
Equatorial Guinea
Guatemala
Honduras
Iraq
Israel
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Kosovo
Kuwait
Luxembourg
Maldives
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
North Macedonia
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Oman
Panama
Peru
Qatar
Romania
São Tomé and Príncipe
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Singapore
Sint Maarten
Spain (with the exception of the Balearic and Canary Islands)
South Africa
Suriname
Turks and Caicos Islands
United States of America (including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands)

Certainly, a traveler’s nationality is not determinative for entry. That is to say, entry restrictions apply to persons arriving directly to Switzerland by plane from a country for which they have not yet opened borders for.

To sum it up, travel restrictions will apply to individuals visiting Switzerland for essential travels, including citizens and residents. If they came from high-risk countries, they may be subject to undergo quarantine or testing.

September 12 update: The Swiss authorities updated their list of high-risk countries. Starting Sept. 14, travelers arriving from any of these areas are required to self-quarantine for 10 days. These include the British Virgin Islands, Czech Republic, the city-state of Vienna in Austria, French regions of Centre-Val de Loire, Corse, Hauts-de-France, Ile de France, Normandie, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie, Pays de la Loire, and Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur.

Is There A Testing Upon Arrival?

The answer is no. But on the other hand, approved countries listed above are not subject to mandatory testing or quarantine. But all passengers should expect health screening and temperature scanning from a border officer.