COVID-19: Swiss Immigration Update

Dear Members and Friends

Our member company Blue Lake Legal shared a short update on the latest immigration decision by the Swiss government in order to combat COVID-19 as well as protect the national health system:

• Switzerland extends the entry restrictions to Spain. Only Swiss citizens, persons with a residence or cross-border permit in Switzerland and persons who have to travel to Switzerland for professional reasons or who are in a situation of absolute necessity are allowed to enter Switzerland from these five EU states (Italy, France, Germany and Austria as well as now Spain). Transit and goods traffic are also still permitted.
•  The same entry restrictions also apply from 19 March 2020, 0:00 CET to air traffic from all non-EU/EFTA countries.
• Only the national airports in Zurich, Geneva and Basel may be used by foreigners who wish to enter Switzerland by air.
• The Federal Council is also suspending the issuing of Schengen visas and national visas for third country nationals for an initial period of three months. Entry into Switzerland is now only possible for them in exceptional cases, for example to family members of Swiss citizens who require a visa and have the right to be present in Switzerland, as well as to specialists from the health sector.

This information reflects the current status as of 18 March 2020. Please stay safe!