Specific information on entering Switzerland or a country in the Schengen area

Switzerland has been a member of the Schengen Area since 12 December 2008.

Applicable to all Schengen member states, the Schengen Association Agreement stipulates that short stays may not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period. This agreement is specifically intended to facilitate the travel of tourists, visitors and business travellers for these brief periods of stay.

The agreement also stipulates that

as a rule, there are no border checks on persons at the internal borders of Schengen member states;
persons wishing to cross the external borders of the Schengen area shall be checked in a uniform fashion;
all Schengen member states shall apply the same entry requirements;
all Schengen member states shall apply a common visa policy for short stays.

At the same time, the judicial and police cooperation in the fight against crime will be improved. These include:

the Schengen Information System (SIS) to exchange information on persons and stolen property;
simplification of mutual legal assistance;
cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking, human smuggling and human trafficking.

Information about customs and goods inspection

The Schengen Association Agreement has no impact on the activities of Swiss customs. Since Switzerland is not a member of the EU Customs Union (EUCU), customs and goods inspection will continue at Swiss external and internal borders. In connection with these customs and goods inspections (e.g. to ascertain the origin and destination of goods) and for personal protection, checks on persons may also be carried out if necessary.