Switzerland
Switzerland is in the Schengen area: visa-free days are shared with every other Schengen country, 90 in any 180.
Checked November 7, 2026 against the sources listed below.
Short stays
| Passport | Entry | How long | Before you go | Longer stays |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | No visa | 90 days in any 180 days, shared across Schengen | ETIAS not yet required (not in operation as of Nov 2026; EU will announce start date months in advance; planned fee EUR 20, valid 3 years). EU Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric registration (face, fingerprints) at first Schengen border crossing, free, fully operational since 10 April 2026. | To extend, contact the immigration authority of the local canton; SEM says stays are generally limited to 90 days in any 180-day period. Cost and conditions not stated. |
| Canada | No visa | 90 days in any 180 days, shared across Schengen | ETIAS not yet required (not in operation as of Nov 2026; EU will announce start date months in advance; planned fee EUR 20, valid 3 years). EU Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric registration (face, fingerprints) at first Schengen border crossing, free, fully operational since 10 April 2026. | To extend, contact the immigration authority of the local canton; SEM says stays are generally limited to 90 days in any 180-day period. Cost and conditions not stated. |
| United Kingdom | No visa | 90 days in any 180 days, shared across Schengen | ETIAS not yet required (not in operation as of Nov 2026; EU will announce start date months in advance; planned fee EUR 20, valid 3 years). EU Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric registration (face, fingerprints) at first Schengen border crossing, free, fully operational since 10 April 2026. | To extend, contact the immigration authority of the local canton; SEM says stays are generally limited to 90 days in any 180-day period. Cost and conditions not stated. |
| EU country | Free movement | No limit | None; valid passport or national ID card. ETIAS and EES do not apply to EU citizens. | Longer stays and work are covered by the EU/EFTA free movement agreement, with registration and a permit from the canton. |
| Australia | No visa | 90 days in any 180 days, shared across Schengen | ETIAS not yet required (not in operation as of Nov 2026; EU will announce start date months in advance; planned fee EUR 20, valid 3 years). EU Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric registration (face, fingerprints) at first Schengen border crossing, free, fully operational since 10 April 2026. | To extend, contact the immigration authority of the local canton; SEM says stays are generally limited to 90 days in any 180-day period. Cost and conditions not stated. |
Digital nomad visa
We haven't found a digital nomad visa for Switzerland. Ask Advisor about other ways to stay longer.
What we couldn't confirm
- ETIAS: official sources (Dutch government page; Swiss SEM FAQ) say ETIAS is not yet in operation and no action is needed; some official pages (EEAS, Belgian embassies, last updated 2025) still say 'last quarter of 2026'. Press reports (non-official) say launch has slipped to 2027; no official new date found.
- No digital nomad or remote-worker visa found: the FDFA/SEM entry pages describe only employer-based work permits that need cantonal approval (medium confidence; SEM's self-employment page could not be fetched).
- Commonly used alternative for non-EU/EFTA nationals: a cantonal permit for self-employment, generally granted only where it serves the Swiss economic interest; details NOT verified from an official source.
- Switzerland is not an EU member; treatment of EU citizens rests on the EU-Switzerland free movement agreement; free-movement details only partly confirmed on SEM/FDFA pages.
- SEM's EES page (last modified Jul 2025) confirms that Switzerland participates and that rollout began 12 Oct 2025; full operation since 10 Apr 2026 is confirmed by EU-member official sources.
Sources
- Visa policy, European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs
- Applying for a Schengen visa, European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs
- European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), Government of the Netherlands
- Travelling to Europe (ETIAS), EU Delegation to the United States (EEAS)
- Entry/Exit System - full implementation from April 10th 2026, Embassy of Poland in Washington (gov.pl)
- Entry/Exit System (EES) Fully Operational Since 10 April 2026, eucrim (Max Planck Institute) (unofficial, used only to corroborate)
- Schengen: EES Flexibility Lapses as ETIAS Launch Appears Likely to Move to 2027 (9 Sep 2026), Newland Chase (unofficial, used only to corroborate)
- Schengen visa (C-visa) up to 90 days, Embassy of Belgium in the United States
- Visa for Belgium, Embassy of Belgium in Canada
- Visa for Belgium, Embassy of Belgium in Australia
- Greece travel advice: entry requirements, UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (GOV.UK)
- FAQ - Entry, State Secretariat for Migration (SEM)
- Entry/Exit System (EES), State Secretariat for Migration (SEM)
- Visa - Entry to and residence in Switzerland, Embassy of Switzerland in the Philippines (FDFA)
Thinking of staying in Switzerland longer?
FlagSeek's free Big Picture looks at your budget, work, health needs and priorities, and shows where longer stays might fit. It also helps Advisor tailor its answers to you.