29.06.2020
As of 27 June, Swiss public transport has returned to standard timetables, with the recommendation for passengers to wear face masks at peak times.
On 15 June, borders with EU countries, Iceland, Norway, Lichtenstein and the UK were opened, and the fines imposed on people doing cross-border shopping lifted. Travel between Switzerland and a country that is not part of the Schengen Area is still not allowed. Provided they can prove their status with official documentation, the following categories are exempted from the provision:
- Swiss citizens.
- Holders of a travel document (e.g. a passport or identity card) and
- a residence permit, i.e. a Swiss residence permit (L / B / C / Ci permits)
- a cross-border permit (G permit; only for work-related purposes)
- an FDFA legitimation card
- a D visa issued by Switzerland
- a C visa issued by Switzerland after 16 March 2020 in a valid exceptional case
- a C visa issued by Switzerland in order to work on a short-term contract
- an assurance of a residence permit from a cantonal migration authority or an entry permit with a visa issued by Switzerland (an employment contract is not sufficient to cross the Swiss border. Persons with an assurance of a residence permit may enter Switzerland at the earliest three days before the date on which assurance becomes valid).
- Holders of a refugee’s travel document issued by Switzerland and a valid residence or permanent residence permit or a valid F permit.
- Individuals who have rights of free movement.
- People transiting through Switzerland to another country that they can enter.
- People in a situation of special necessity. The border control authority will assess the necessity of such situation.
- Specialists in the healthcare sector who need to enter Switzerland for important work-related reasons and who hold a confirmation of notification, an assurance of a residence permit or an entry permit with a visa issued by Switzerland.
As of 15 June, all border crossing points are open; both private and commercial transport is allowed. Goods drivers are allowed to operate to, from and through Switzerland if they have a bill of lading.
More information can be found here.
Source: Swiss government
04.04.2020
On 1 April, the Swiss Federal Department of Justice notified the extension of border controls until 24 April. The prolongation involves borders with all Schengen states except land and air borders with France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Germany, which have been prolonged separately. Borders with the Principality of Liechtenstein are also exempted from the provision.
Therefore the current duration of border controls is as follows:
- All air borders except from air borders with Liechtenstein:
25 March 2020 – 24 April 2020 - Air borders with Spain, Italy, France, Germany and Austria:
18 March 2020 – 17 April 2020 - Land borders with France, Germany and Austria:
16 March – 15 April 2020 - Land border with Italy:
13 March – 12 April 2020
Source: Swiss Federal Department of Justice and European Commission
28.03.2020
Entry by road on the Swiss territory from Italy, France, Germany, and Austria is limited to Swiss citizens, Swiss residents and people entering for professional reasons. Only major border crossings are open for movements of persons.
International freight transport is not affected by these measures, and all border crossing points are open for freight movements. Green lanes are also in place at some border crossings for import, export and transit of medical products, foodstuff, fuel supplies, and post. List of border crossings equipped with green lanes for freight transport is available here.
Sources: ASTAG and Federal Customs Administration