If you’re planning to travel from the United States to Switzerland from 2025, you need to know about ETIAS.
Registering with the European Travel Information and Authorization System is essential for visa-free travel to the Schengen Area.
To help you prepare for the new entry requirement, this page explains the ETIAS requirements for U.S. citizens traveling to Switzerland.
Switzerland Is a Member of the Schengen Area
Unlike most Schengen member states, Switzerland is not part of the European Union. Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland are the only other non-EU countries in the Schengen zone.
As a Schengen member state, American citizens will need ETIAS to visit Switzerland starting 2025. ETIAS is required to visit countries in the Schengen Area and those in the process of joining (Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania).
The same ETIAS authorization is valid across the Schengen Area. Separate authorizations are not required.
Traveling From the U.S. to Switzerland with ETIAS
As a U.S. citizen, you can still enjoy visa-free travel to Switzerland. ETIAS is not a visa, it is an electronic travel authorization similar to the ESTA for the United States.
The only change is that you will now need to register online before traveling without a visa.
With ETIAS you can travel to Switzerland for:
- Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Tourism, business, and short-term study
- Multiple short stays
How to get ETIAS for Switzerland with a U.S. Passport
To apply for ETIAS, your U.S. passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the date you’ll exit the Schengen Area.
You need to complete the online ETIAS form with basic personal details, passport information, and some security questions.
You can then pay the ETIAS fee and submit your application for review.
ETIAS for Switzerland processing and approval times
ETIAS applications for Switzerland are processed quickly. Your information is automatically cross-checked against security systems and, provided there are no alerts, the authorization is granted.
In the unlikely event that an alert is raised, the application is reviewed manually by the ETIAS National Unit. In fewer than 0.1% of cases, applicants may be asked to attend an interview.
You’ll be notified of the ETIAS decision by email.
- If the result is positive, the ETIAS is linked to your passport
- If the result was negative, you’d be provided with information on how to appeal
ETIAS Requirements for U.S. Citizens Visiting Switzerland
These are the requirements to get your ETIAS for Switzerland.
Have a U.S. passport that meets the validity requirements:Your U.S. passport must be valid for at least 3 months after you’ll exit the Schengen Area. Example: if you’ll leave the Schengen Area on June 1, your passport must be valid until at least September 1.
Meet the ETIAS travel conditions:You must be visiting Switzerland short-term (up to 90 days in a 180-day period) and for tourism, business or study. You must get a visa instead of ETIAS to work in Switzerland.
Pass safety checks:ETIAS is designed to make Europe safer by detecting security and high epidemic risks. To meet the ETIAS requirements, you must pass these checks when your information is checked against security databases.
How many days can I stay in Switzerland with ETIAS?
An ETIAS grants an American citizen a stay of up to 90 days in Switzerland within 180 days.
However, ETIAS is an authorization for the whole of the Schengen zone, which means that an ETIAS holder can use their 90-day European allowance across any of the member states.
The electronic authorization is valid for 3 consecutive years or until your passport expires (whichever is sooner). The validity period begins the moment ETIAS is approved.
Documents Required to travel to Switzerland from the U.S.
To travel to Switzerland U.S. citizens are required to hold a valid passport. Passengers may be checked twice upon entering Switzerland by land: once by the customs officers of the country they are leaving and another by the border police of Switzerland.
Border officers will verify American passengers have an approved ETIAS when the passport is scanned at the external Schengen border.
U.S. citizens staying in Switzerland for more than 90 days
ETIAS for U.S. citizens is only valid for short-term stays. If you intend to stay in Switzerland for more than 90 days, must obtain the appropriate visa.
Immigration in Switzerland for stays of longer than 90 days is the responsibility of the cantons, not of the Federal government. U.S. citizens require both advance approval from the cantonal authority and a long-stay visa from a Swiss embassy or consulate to enter Switzerland.
U.S. citizens staying in Switzerland longer than 90 days should contact the cantonal immigration authority or police within 14 days of arrival.
Switzerland Country Information
Switzerland is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It has borders with France, Italy, Austria, Liechtenstein, and Germany. People speak French, German, Italian, and Romansch.
Known for its mountains, The Alps in the south, and Jura in the northwest, it boasts 48 high peaks. More than any other country in Europe.
There is also a central highland of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes. Home to over 1500 lakes, 60% of its electricity is produced by hydroelectric power.
Switzerland’s landscape ranges from 643 feet above sea level in Ascona to 15,199 feet above sea level in The Dufour Peak.
Switzerland does not have a president as chief of state. Instead, a seven-member council governs the territory, and council members rotate in one-year terms as federal president.
About Switzerland
Capital: None (de jure) – Bern (de facto) Federal city
Language: German, French, Italian, Romansh
Area: 41.285 km²
Population: around 8.7 million
Timezone: UTC/GTM 1
Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)
Code: +41
U.S. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland
Americans who require consular assistance during their time in Switzerland can contact the United States Embassy in Bern.
Address: Sulgeneckstrasse 19, 3007 Bern, Switzerland
The following cities have U.S. Consular Agencies: Zurich and Geneva
Zurich and Geneva have U.S. Consular Agencies.
Switzerland Travel Advice for U.S. Citizens
Here are 5 pieces of advice to consider when traveling to Switzerland from the USA:
- Currency: Switzerland uses the Swiss franc (CHF), not the Euro. Most places accept card payments, but you should carry a small amount of cash.
- Languages: There are 4 official languages in Switzerland: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. Depending on which part of the country you’re in, one of these languages will be dominant.
- Vaccines: you should be up to date with routine vaccines for any overseas trip. You should also speak to a medical professional for any personalized advice.
- Transportation: Public transport in Switzerland is efficient and reliable. Trains and other forms of transport connect major cities and small villages.
