🇨🇭Switzerland Visa 2026: Entry Requirements
Europe· Updated 10/10/2026
Do you need a visa for Switzerland?
It depends on your passport. Out of 198 nationalities documented by IziVisas, 93 enter Switzerland visa-free and 105 must apply at a consulate before travelling.
Visa-free
93
nationalities
Consular visa
105
nationalities
Check the rule for your nationality
Pick your passport for the exact 2026 rule: fee, processing time, allowed stay and documents.
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- 🇵🇰Pakistan
- 🇰🇪Kenya
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- All nationalities
Transit visa for Switzerland
Visa for airport or land transit.
- Stay:
- Same-day
- Fee:
- 90 EUR
Data updated on · Official source
Pick your nationality to see the rule
Indicative information, drawn from official sources and Wikipedia, and updated automatically. Rules change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
Coming up: announced entry rules
- Europe: ETIAS travel authorisationExpected by the EU in the last quarter of 2026
Visa-exempt travellers will need to apply online (€20) before entering any of the 30 countries concerned. Applications are not open yet: beware of websites already selling it. Official EU website
Insurance requiredInsurance for the Schengen visa (AXA Schengen)
If your passport needs a Schengen visa, it is a required document of the file: at least €30,000 of medical expenses. Any compliant insurer is accepted; AXA Schengen is one. Only the consulate decides whether the certificate is acceptable.
Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Switzerland visa requirements by nationality
The entry regime Switzerland applies to the passports most often checked on IziVisas. Open a row for the fee, the processing time, the documents and the allowed stay of that exact route.
- EcuadorVisa requiredStay: 90 days per 180-day period
- TunisiaVisa requiredStay: 90 days per 180-day period
- TogoVisa requiredStay: 90 days per 180-day period
- United StatesVisa-freeStay: 90 days per 180-day period
- AlgeriaVisa requiredStay: 90 days per 180-day period
- ColombiaVisa-freeStay: 90 days per 180-day period
- BeninVisa requiredStay: 90 days per 180-day period
- Côte d'IvoireVisa requiredStay: 90 days per 180-day period
- CameroonVisa requiredStay: 90 days per 180-day period
- ChinaVisa requiredStay: 90 days per 180-day period
- HaitiVisa requiredStay: 90 days per 180-day period
- Burkina FasoVisa requiredStay: 90 days per 180-day period
- GuineaVisa requiredStay: 90 days per 180-day period
- MaliVisa requiredStay: 90 days per 180-day period
- Democratic Republic of the CongoVisa requiredStay: 90 days per 180-day period
- UgandaVisa requiredStay: 90 days per 180-day period
- BoliviaVisa requiredStay: 90 days per 180-day period
- The GambiaVisa requiredStay: 90 days per 180-day period
- CubaVisa requiredStay: 90 days per 180-day period
- MauritaniaVisa requiredStay: 90 days per 180-day period
Switzerland visa types, fees and processing times
Every visa category Switzerland publishes, with the official fee, the allowed stay and the processing time when the source states them. Eligibility depends on your nationality: open your route for the rule that applies to your passport.
| Visa | Category | Allowed stay | Official fee | Processing time | Entries | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short-stay (tourism) | Short stay | 90 days per 180-day period | 90 EUR | 15-45 days | Portal | |
| Self-employed visa | Work | 1 year | 90 EUR | 90 days | Portal | |
| B Permit (residence) - skilled worker | Work | 1 year (renewable) | 90 EUR | 60-180 days | Multiple | Portal |
| L Permit (short-stay work) | Work | 12 months max | 90 EUR | 60 days | Portal | |
| G Permit (cross-border worker) | Work | 1 year | 30-60 days | Portal | ||
| Student permit (type B) | Study | 1 year (renewable) | 0 EUR | 60-90 days | Portal | |
| Researcher visa | Study | 1 year | 90 EUR | 90 days | Multiple | Portal |
| Family reunification permit | Family | 1 year | 90 EUR | 60-180 days | Portal | |
| Young Professionals (trainees) | Working holiday | 18 months | 90 EUR | 60 days | Portal | |
| Au pair visa | Working holiday | 1 year | 90 EUR | 60 days | Portal | |
| Medical treatment visa | Medical | 6 months | 90 EUR | 60 days | Portal | |
| Airport transit visa (Schengen A) | Transit | Same-day | 90 EUR | 15 days | Portal |
Visas
Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)
Book excursions ahead, with free cancellation on most activities.
Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Information
Capital
Bern
Population
8,900,000
Currency
Swiss franc (CHF Fr.)
Languages
German, French, Italian, Romansh
Continent
Europe
Calling code
+41
Timezone
Europe/Zurich
Area
41,285 km²
Government
Federal republic
National day
1 August - Swiss National Day
Internet domain
.ch
About
Switzerland is a landlocked country in Central Europe renowned for its neutrality, Alpine landscapes, and unique federal political system with four national languages. It hosts numerous international organizations in Geneva. The country excels in innovation, finance, and high quality of life.
Nomad Insurance travel cover (SafetyWing)
Medical cover and repatriation, can be taken out mid-trip.
Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Safety
Risk areas
Crime(Low)
- Take care of your belongings in tourist areas
- Avoid isolated neighborhoods at night
Terrorism(Low)
- Low risk, stay vigilant during public events
Transport
- Use valid tickets, watch your belongings
Natural risks(Avalanche risks in mountains, rare floods)
- Check MétéoSuisse alerts before hikes
Health(Excellent healthcare system, one of the best worldwide)
- Mandatory health insurance, standard vaccines recommended
Practical tips
- Respect political neutrality
- Adapt to cantonal linguistic customs
- Use efficient public transportation
Accommodation (Hotels.com)
Hotels and other stays, with a free-cancellation filter.
Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Cost of living
Accommodation
Food
Transport
Leisure
Health
Others
Indicative prices in USD in Zurich · estimated in October 2026
eSIM data (Saily)
Stay connected on landing, with no roaming charges. Requires an eSIM-compatible phone.
Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Practical information
Electricity
Emergency numbers
Practical information
Right
safe
Not obligatory, service included (round up 5-10%)
Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)
Book excursions ahead, with free cancellation on most activities.
Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Photos
Switzerland
Gotta Be Worth It
Switzerland
Christopher Politano
Switzerland
Christopher Politano
Switzerland
Levent Simsek
Switzerland
Jean-Paul Wettstein
Switzerland
Tim OBrien
Switzerland
Gotta Be Worth It
Switzerland
Gotta Be Worth It
Switzerland
Alina Rossoshanska
Switzerland
David Ruh
Switzerland
Christopher Politano
Switzerland
Beat Bieri
Switzerland
Louis
Switzerland
Oskar Gross
Switzerland
Loïc Privet
Switzerland
Christopher Politano
Switzerland
Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto
Switzerland
Ewa Schab
Switzerland
Oskar Gross
Switzerland
Виктор Соломоник
Plan your trip
Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)
Book excursions ahead, with free cancellation on most activities.
Nomad Insurance travel cover (SafetyWing)
Medical cover and repatriation, can be taken out mid-trip.
eSIM data (Saily)
Stay connected on landing, with no roaming charges. Requires an eSIM-compatible phone.
Car rental (DiscoverCars)
Compare local rental companies, free cancellation on most offers.
Accommodation (Hotels.com)
Hotels and other stays, with a free-cancellation filter.
Partner links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Guides to prepare your trip
Transit visa 2026: when a simple layover requires a visa
Staying airside and crossing immigration are not governed by the same rules. When a transit visa becomes mandatory, the Schengen case, the…
Schengen Visa Travel Insurance: The 3 Official Criteria and the Pitfalls (2026)
€30,000 minimum, repatriation, full Schengen validity: what the Visa Code really requires, the mistakes that get applications refused, and…
Visa Refusal: The 10 Most Common Reasons and How to Avoid Them
Funds, home ties, insurance, inconsistencies… The 10 most common visa refusal reasons, how to avoid them, and your appeal options region by…
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a visa to travel to Switzerland?▾
It depends on your passport. IziVisas documents the entry regime for Switzerland across 198 nationalities: 93 visa-free, 105 with a consular visa. Pick yours for the exact rule, with documents, fees and processing times.
Check by my nationality →How much does a Switzerland visa cost?▾
Fees vary by visa type and nationality. The lowest published official fee is 90 EUR (Short-stay (tourism)). These are government fees only, providers and visa application centres add their own service charge.
Do you need a transit visa for Switzerland?▾
Switzerland issues a transit visa for travellers connecting or crossing the country without staying, valid Same-day. Conditions depend on your nationality, the length of the layover and whether you leave the airport's international zone.
Is it dangerous to travel to Switzerland?▾
The overall risk level is currently rated "Overall security level very high, one of the safest countries in the world.". See the Safety tab on this page for details by topic (crime, transport, health, areas to avoid) and practical tips.
What currency is used in Switzerland?▾
The official currency is Swiss franc (CHF Fr.). See sample prices (accommodation, meals, transport) in the cost of living section above.
What is the capital of Switzerland?▾
The capital of Switzerland is Bern. The main spoken languages are: German, French, Italian, Romansh.
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