Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has become a worldwide pandemic. Due to the rapidly evolving situation, we recommend that you check the following government websites which give reliable information and are updated regularly.
For people living in the United Kingdom
The UK government is asking people to stay alert and maintain social distancing in order to control the virus. This means that you must adhere to certain rules in your day to day life. Please find details and up-to-date information on these rules as well as information on how to protect yourself on the UK government’s dedicated coronavirus website and in the respective FAQ.
Please visit the UK government's Coronavirus webpage for information on how to protect yourself or on how to get medical advice in the UK.
Please visit the webpage of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health for the latest information and advice on the situation in Switzerland.
Please note that it is up to Swiss citizens living in the UK to decide whether to leave the country or not. Please be advised that the UK government (Foreign & Commonwealth Office) advises against any non-essential travel worldwide (including to Switzerland).
For advice from the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA for the Swiss Abroad, please consult the relevant section in this Q&A.
Please find more information on Coronavirus and on how to protect yourself on the website of the World Health Organization (WHO).
For Swiss travellers in the UK and people considering travelling to the UK or to Switzerland
The UK government has announced that from 8 June 2020 there will be new rules in place for entering the UK, for both residents and visitors. Travellers will have to complete a form before crossing the UK border, providing journey and contact details. They will have to self-isolate for 14 days. Further information on modalities, exemptions and enforcement can be found on the UK government’s website.
The Swiss government advises against all non-urgent travel abroad until further notice. It recommends that Swiss travellers abroad should return to their usual place of residence, as long as this is still possible by commercial or their own personal means.
Please be aware that as the situation continues to evolve rapidly, it is possible that the entry or exit requirements of the UK government, the Swiss government or a transit country may be adjusted at short notice.
For inquiries relating to Swiss border controls please consult the Q&A on the website of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). In case of urgent inquiries that are not answered by the Q&A, travellers may contact SEM directly (by email or – in the case of emergency – the helpline).
While abroad, Swiss citizens should use the Travel Admin App and register their travel data on the App or the online registration service Itineris so that the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs can inform them of any significant changes in the security situation at their place of residence.
Please visit the webpage of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (in German, French and Italian) for general travel advice abroad. Please also visit Travel advice: coronavirus for the latest advice from the UK government for travellers and visit the UK Government’s webpage for the latest information and advice about Coronavirus.
For advice on returning to Switzerland, please consult this Q&A published by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA.
For people requiring consular services (passports, identity cards, visas)
In view of the current situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Regional Consular Centre in London is adapting its activities and is limiting public access to the Centre until further notice.
Consular cases continue to be dealt with, but please note that non-urgent consular business may have to be postponed. Until further notice and except in emergency situations, no new appointments will be granted for the issuing of new passports and identity cards.
Citizens in need of urgent services are kindly requested to make an appointment before coming to the Regional Consular Centre. You can contact us by email at london.cc@eda.admin.ch. Please specify the reason for the emergency and when you would like to come. Only visitors with an appointment will be able to enter the building.
For more information please visit the website of the Regional Consular Centre.
You can find a summary of useful links to Coronavirus related information in our flyer:
Coronavirus – Important links for Swiss citizens in the UK. (PDF, 121.2 kB, English)
