Corona: Entry restrictions that apply to high-risk countries
Foreign nationals without rights of free movement who wish to enter Switzerland from high-risk countries or regions but do not fall within any of the categories of exceptions under the COVID-19 Ordinance 3 are still subject to entry restrictions. There are no longer any entry restrictions owing to coronavirus for persons arriving from Schengen and EU countries or from the small European states Andorra, the Vatican/Holy See, Monaco and San Marino as well as certain third countries. The normal entry requirements apply to persons arriving from these states. Persons from high risk countries who have a partner in Switzerland have been able to enter the country provided evidence of their relationship can be given. For further information on transiting Switzerland at airports, entering the country to care for family members and visas issued in high-risk countries, please consult the following pages.
Persons arriving in Switzerland from certain countries or regions are required to go into quarantine. For further information, consult the website of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).
Further information for persons from the EU/EFTA states
Further information for travel to EU countries
All the information on the coronavirus is being continuously updated. The COVID-19 Ordinance 3 and the SEM Directive are binding on the Swiss authorities.
- COVID-19 Ordinance 3
- SEM Directive (version of 16 December 2020)
in German (PDF, 372 kB, 16.12.2020)
in French (PDF, 384 kB, 16.12.2020)
in Italian (PDF, 372 kB, 16.12.2020)
For asylum matters, the following also apply:
- COVID-19 Asylum Ordinance
in German
in French
in Italian - Guide to the COVID-19 Asylum Ordinance
in German (PDF, 133 kB, 02.04.2020)
in French (PDF, 114 kB, 28.10.2020)
Information from the FOPH:
Entry ban UK and South Africa
Following the discovery of a new variant of the coronavirus in the UK and South Africa, the Federal Council took the decision to issue an entry ban on travellers from the UK and South Africa. |
Helpline Entry and residence in Switzerland
Here you will find the most important information on the restrictions on entering Switzerland and residence provisions. |
Migration Switzerland–UK since 1 January 2021

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) forms the basis of cooperation between Switzerland and the UK in the field of migration following the UK’s departure from the EU. Key points covered include mutual access to the labour market, mobility, and coordination on asylum.
Press releases
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Resettlement / ATCR
In June 2020, Switzerland assumed the one-year chair of the Annual Tripartite Consultations on Resettlement (ATCR), the most important international conference on resettlement.
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