Nowhere is easier to enter than Switzerland, despite Corona

Anyone entering Switzerland does not need an entry form or proof of vaccination. Quarantine is also not necessary. Neighbouring countries are better protected against Corona – this is shown by the comparison of entry rules.

Almost half of the Covid patients being treated in Swiss hospitals are people returning from abroad. That’s why – in view of the upcoming autumn holidays – the discussion about tougher entry requirements has intensified recently. The President of the Health Directors Conference (Gesundheitsdirektorenkonferenz), Lukas Engelberger, would welcome such measures, as he said at the beginning of the week. In particular, because we are "very liberal compared to the neighbouring countries," according to the Centre Party (Mitte) government councillor from Basel. In addition to a test obligation, a quarantine obligation is also conceivable, he continues.

No test obligation when entering by car, bus and train
The barriers for entry into Switzerland are, in fact, lower than in other countries. As a Swiss resident, you’re still not allowed to fly to the USA without good reason, and travel to countries such as Argentina, Indonesia or Japan is still prohibited. The analysis of the entry requirements of our neighbouring countries also confirms Lukas Engelberger's statement: Switzerland is not only much more liberal towards returnees than the USA and Japan, but also in comparison with all its neighbours.

The following entry requirements apply (as of 1 September 2021)

• Switzerland: Mandatory testing (if not vaccinated or recovered) and mandatory  entry registration  only if entering by plane, and there is no quarantine obligation
• Germany: Obligation to show a test on entry (if not vaccinated or recovered), Entry registration and quarantine obligation when entering from high-risk areas
• Italy: Test (if not vaccinated or recovered) and entry registration mandatory, no quarantine obligation
• France: Mandatory testing (if not vaccinated or recovered) and entry registration  mandatory, quarantine obligation when entering from high-risk areas
• Austria: Mandatory testing (if not vaccinated or recovered) and entry registration  mandatory, no quarantine obligation

Anyone entering Switzerland by car does not have to fill out an entry form or be vaccinated, recovered or tested negative.
Image: Arthur Gamsa (Diepoldsau)

Anyone currently travelling to Switzerland by car, bus or train does not have to fill out an entry form or provide proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test result (the so-called '3G' certificate). The quarantine obligation has also been lifted. The entry requirements for our neighbouring countries are markedly different, where this is subject to a test obligation, unless there is proof of vaccination or having had a Covid illness during the last six months. And this applies no matter which means of transport you use to enter the country. In addition, travellers must fill out a form in which they should indicate, among other things, when and from which country they are entering. Switzerland only requires a corresponding form for entry by plane.

Quarantine in Germany and France
As no countries have been on the Swiss list of countries with a worrying virus variant for almost a month, people entering the country  – no matter from where – no longer have to quarantine. The quarantine obligation has also been lifted in Austria and Italy. In Germany, however, travellers from high-risk areas must quarantine for at least ten days. This applies, for example, to all those who have spent their holidays in Cyprus, Brazil, Thailand or Kosovo. It is possible to be tested after five days, and if the test result is negative, the quarantine can be ended prematurely.

The situation in France is similar: anyone who has travelled to a country that is on the orange list must go into isolation for a week. People who have visited a red-list country – including Brazil, Maldives, Tunisia and Morocco – are subject to a general entry ban.