CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

The Embassy strives to provide the Swiss citizens with the most recent information. However, please note that regulations can change quickly and sometimes without prior notice.

The Federal Council recommends not to travel in a country or region where a worrying variant of the coronavirus has been proven to exist that carries a higher risk of infection or causes a more severe form of the disease than the strain of the virus that is widespread in Switzerland. The federal government maintains a list of these countries and areas: FOPH list of risk countries.

We advise all Swiss citizens in New Zealand to comply with the recommendations and regulations of local authorities and the Department of Health. Please keep yourself updated. If you wish to return to Switzerland: There are different commercial flights available from New Zealand (Qatar, Emirates, Singapore Airlines). Please check with the airline directly or get in touch with your travel agent.

Please also follow the travel advice "Focus novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)" of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH):

FOPH

Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

Please be advised that entry to New Zealand is currently only possible for New Zealand citizens and permanent residents. With some exceptions those entering the country must go directly into the state-controlled, 14-day quarantine, which is subject to a fee. See Unite against Covid-19, "Travel and the border". For more information about New Zealand's border restrictions, please consult the following website: covid19.govt.nz  Please also consult the website of Immigration NZ Covid-19 regularly for updates and current information.

New Zealand Unite Against Covid-19

New Zealand Ministry of Health

Travel to Switzerland

PCR Test and Quarantine requirements

To see what rules apply to your own particular situation when entering Switzerland, consult the online Travelcheck.

Since 08.02.2021, there are new special provisions for entry into Switzerland:

• Ordinance 3 of 19 June 2020 on Measures to Combat the Coronavirus (COVID-19) (COVID-19 Ordinance 3)

• COVID-19 Ordinance on International Passenger Transport Measures

The measures in place to contain the coronavirus have been eased and simplified significantly since Saturday, 26 June. The Federal Council has also decided to relax the requirements for entering Switzerland: Press release 23.06.2021.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic there are special rules for people entering Switzerland. Depending on the type of travel, you might have to fill out an entry form, show proof of a negative test and/or go into quarantine. All travellers must take note of the health-related measures at the Swiss border. The interactive travel check tool shows you what measures apply to you.

The FOPH list of risk countries regulates who must be quarantined on arrival in Switzerland.

The following regulations apply to entry by air:

• Electronic Entry form
• Negative test*

For entry from a country that is on the FOPH list of risk countries, the following regulations apply:

• Electronic Entry form
• Negative test*
• Quarantine

*Negative Covid test before departure to Switzerland:

Either PCR test (molecular biological analysis for Sars-CoV-2, carried out maximum 72 hours before departure) or Sars-CoV-2 rapid test (carried out maximum 48 hours before departure).

• The FDFA does not decide on exceptions to the requirement of a negative test result.
• The FDFA has no authority to issue instructions to airlines.
• Airlines themselves decide on the admission of passengers to the aircraft.

*Negative Covid test on entry into Switzerland

If the negative Covid test was carried out more than 72 hours prior to entry into Switzerland, persons entering Switzerland must be retested immediately on arrival in Switzerland at their own expense.

Exemptions from the testing and quarantine obligation are listed in Article 7 and 8 of the Covid 19 Regulation Measures in the area of international movement of persons. According to the FOPH's FAQ, the exceptions also include persons with Swiss citizenship or a residence permit issued by Switzerland with no possibility of being tested within a reasonable time or at reasonable expense. The self-declaration "Lack of possibility of testing" can be found on the FOPH website under "Documents" in German and English.

• The FDFA does not issue confirmations for medical certificates.
• The FDFA does not translate Covid test results or medical certificates.

The foreign representations do not provide information on the provisions of the exemptions from the testing and quarantine obligation. Persons concerned should contact the FOPH directly.

Further information can be found on the FOPH website and in its FAQ.

Please note that the airlines themselves decide on the conditions on which they carry passengers. If this is relevant to your situation, please ask the airline concerned about the conditions that they apply.

Important information "Visa for Switzerland"

Travellers from New Zealand:

New Zealand is not on the list of high risk countries of the Swiss Government. Therefore New Zealand nationals, as well as permanent residents (as long as they have the necessary Schengen visa), are again allowed to enter Switzerland for a short stay of up to 90 days.

A current list of high-risk countries can be obtained here

Short-term visa applications for tourism, visits or business are therefore accepted and processed (permanent residents only!). Please note that visas for Hungary are not processed until further notice. Long term National visas D (study, work & family reunion) are processed and applications are accepted.

For information about the Visa procedure please refer to our website

All foreign nationals who are holders of a Swiss residency permit or an assurance of a residence permit from a cantonal migration authority or an entry permit with a visa issued by Switzerland can enter Switzerland.

Swiss citizens and citizens of EU/EFTA countries can enter Switzerland at any time. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic there are special rules for people entering Switzerland. Please refer to the information of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).

For updates on the situation and detailled information please refer to the following link: Corona: Questions and answers on entry and stay in Switzerland, the exceptions and suspension of visas

You must be able to prove that you meet the entry requirements. Suitable documentary proof must be produced at the border.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic there are special rules for people entering Switzerland. Depending on the type of travel, you might have to fill out an entry form, show proof of a negative test and/or go into quarantine. All travellers must take note of the health-related measures at the Swiss border. The interactive travel check tool shows you what measures apply to you.

Please note that the airlines themselves decide on the conditions on which they carry passengers. If this is relevant to your situation, please ask the airline concerned about the conditions that they apply.

Travellers from other third countries (for example Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, American Samoa and Niue):

On June 23, 2021, the Federal Council decided to lift the entry restrictions for persons from third countries who are vaccinated.

For vaccinated third-country nationals, the regular entry requirements will apply again from June 26, 2021.

Entry restrictions continue to apply to foreign nationals who are not vaccinated and are without rights of free movement, entering from risk countries or regions and who do not belong to any of the exceptional categories of the Covid 19 Regulation 3.

For additional information, please consult the webpage of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic there are special rules for people entering Switzerland. Please refer to the information of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).

For information about the Visa procedure please refer to our website.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic there are special rules for people entering Switzerland.

Depending on the type of travel, you might have to fill out an entry form, show proof of a negative test and/or go into quarantine. All travellers must take note of the health-related measures at the Swiss border. The interactive travel check tool shows you what measures apply to you.

Immigration NZ / Transiting through NZ

Swiss Citizens transiting through New Zealand to retun home do not require a transit visa as long as they have a confirmed flight out of New Zealand within 24 hours to a port which wil accept them. In most cases transit passengers must hold an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) before travel. Please see Information about NZeTA for further detail.

Transit information

Please consult the website of Immigration NZ before travelling as requirements can change without prior notice.