Visiting Switzerland
Switzerland is in the Schengen area but not the EU. Days you spend there count towards your 90 days in the Schengen area, but customs, money and phone roaming work differently from EU countries.
What you need, by passport
- US passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- UK passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- Irish passportNo visa or time limit as an EU citizenCleared
- Canadian passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- Australian passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- New Zealand passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
Quick answers
Do I need a visa to visit Switzerland?
Not for a short visit on a US, UK, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passport. You can stay up to 90 days in any 180 across the whole Schengen area. Irish citizens can live and work there with no time limit.
Is Switzerland in the Schengen area?
Yes, since 12 December 2008. Time you spend in Switzerland counts towards your 90 days in any 180, together with every other Schengen country.
Do I need ETIAS for Switzerland?
Not yet. When it starts, you'll need to apply online for ETIAS before you travel. It will cost €20 (free if you're under 18 or over 70) and last 3 years or until your passport expires. There's no start date yet: the EU says it will announce it several months ahead. Until then, don't pay any website for it.
How long does my passport need to be valid for Switzerland?
Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive, and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you leave the Schengen area.
Good to know in Switzerland
Lower customs allowances. You can bring in goods worth up to CHF 150 per person per day without paying Swiss VAT. Duty-free limits include 1 kg of meat, 5 litres of alcohol up to 18% and 1 litre over 18%, and 250 cigarettes. You must be 17 or over for the alcohol and tobacco allowances.
Swiss francs and roaming. Switzerland uses the Swiss franc (CHF), not the euro. It isn't covered by the EU's roam-like-at-home rules, so if you have an Irish or other EU SIM, check your plan's Swiss charges before you go.
Motorway e-vignette. You need a vignette to use Swiss motorways. It costs CHF 40 and runs from 1 December to 31 January of the year after. Buy it only at e-vignette.ch or via.admin.ch/shop, as there are fake websites.
Checked 26 October 2026 against European Union, European Commission, Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS/BAZG), Switzerland and Swiss National Bank.
See the 19 official sources
- What is ETIAS (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- What you need to apply (ETIAS) (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- ETIAS frequently asked questions (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- ETIAS timeline explained (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- Who should apply (ETIAS) (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- How does the EES work? (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- What is the EES? (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- FAQs about EES (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- Smart Borders (European Commission (Migration and Home Affairs))
- Short-stay calculator (European Commission (Migration and Home Affairs))
- User manual for the short-stay Schengen calculator (European Commission)
- Travel documents for non-EU nationals (European Union (Your Europe))
- Travel documents for EU nationals (European Union (Your Europe))
- Residence rights when living abroad in the EU (European Union (Your Europe))
- Documents for minors travelling in the EU (European Union (Your Europe))
- Private goods: tax-free limit and quantity allowances (leaflet) (Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS/BAZG), Switzerland)
- FAQ: Banknotes (Swiss National Bank)
- Mobile roaming costs (European Commission (Your Europe))
- Electronic vignette: Via portal purchase (Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS/BAZG), Switzerland)