Are Swiss Abroad affected by ETIAS?
06.12.2024 – Stephanie Leber, OSA Legal Department
Question: I have heard that the new ETIAS rules will come into force in spring 2025, and I am now wondering what impact this will have on Swiss Abroad. Do the rules apply to us?
Answer: In future, travellers will need to have an ETIAS travel authorisation to enter most European countries, including Switzerland (ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System). But in practice, this will only apply to nationals from visa-exempt countries who wish to travel to Europe for a short-term stay of up to 90 days. Travellers will be able to apply online for an ETIAS travel authorisation. ETIAS is linked to a traveller’s passport and is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. According to the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), ETIAS is expected to go live in May 2025 at the earliest.
No need to worry: if you are a Swiss Abroad with a Swiss passport, you will still be able to enter Switzerland – and most European countries for that matter – unconditionally. Article 24 of the Swiss Federal Constitution guarantees freedom of domicile to all Swiss in Switzerland.
ETIAS travel authorisation could, however, be of relevance to members of your family. If they do not hold Swiss citizenship and are nationals of one of the visa-exempt countries, they will need an ETIAS travel authorisation to enter Switzerland in future.
It will be possible to fill out the ETIAS application form using either the official ETIAS website or the ETIAS mobile application. Applying for an ETIAS travel authorisation will cost 7 euros. Applications will normally be processed within minutes. However, it may take longer if you are requested to provide additional information or documentation to support your application. This is why you should apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation well in advance of your planned journey.
Please note that a valid ETIAS travel authorisation does not guarantee automatic right of entry. When you arrive at the border, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify whether you meet all entry conditions.
ETIAS website
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