ETIAS is not live yet · expected 2027

Do you need ETIAS for Switzerland?

Switzerland is the country that trips people up: not in the EU, yet fully inside Schengen and therefore inside ETIAS. It keeps its own customs border, one of its airports has a French exit, and a whole ski season is longer than the 90 days ETIAS allows.

By the ETIAS Pro editorial teamChecked against official EU sourcesHow we keep this accurateLast reviewed: 7 September 2026

In brief

ETIAS is not live yet. Once it becomes mandatory, eligible visa-exempt travellers (UK, US, Canadian, Australian and similar passport holders) are expected to need ETIAS to visit Switzerland for short stays.

ETIAS at a glance

Status: Not live yet
Official launch date: Not yet announced (2027 reported)
Applications open: Not yet
Official fee: €20, set by EU regulation
Validity: 3 years or until passport expiry
Stay limit: 90 days in any 180-day period
Official application route: Official EU ETIAS website / app when live
Private help: ETIAS Pro may offer optional support when applications open

Switzerland at a glance for ETIAS

Zurich and Geneva city breaks
ski and mountain trips to Zermatt, St Moritz and Interlaken
scenic rail journeys such as the Glacier Express

Is Switzerland part of ETIAS?

Yes. Switzerland is not an EU member, but it joined the Schengen area in 2008, and Schengen membership is what brings a country into ETIAS. The same ETIAS rules apply to Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern and the Alps as to France or Italy next door.

Passports checked at the Schengen border, customs still checked at the Swiss one

Because Switzerland is outside the EU customs union, goods still cross a customs frontier when you enter from Germany, France, Italy or Austria, even though passport checks were done wherever you first entered Schengen. That is why you may be waved into a customs lane at Basel or Chiasso with no passport check at all. ETIAS is about the passport side; it changes nothing about duty-free limits, VAT refunds or the Swiss motorway vignette.

Geneva Airport’s French sector

Geneva sits on the border, and its airport has a French sector: passengers can exit directly into France without passing Swiss controls. For ETIAS and EES it makes no difference which side you leave through, because both are inside the Schengen area and one authorisation covers both. It only affects which country counts as your first entry on that trip, France or Switzerland, which is what the form asks for.

Ski seasons: a whole winter is longer than 90 days

A December-to-April season in Verbier, Zermatt or St Moritz runs to roughly 120 days. ETIAS authorises short stays only, up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, so a full season needs a Swiss permit, and seasonal work needs a work permit regardless of length. A fortnight’s skiing plus a summer hiking trip fits comfortably; a season does not. Chalet staff and instructors should plan on the permit route.

Liechtenstein and cross-border days

Liechtenstein has no border controls with Switzerland and is in ETIAS in its own right, so a day trip to Vaduz needs nothing extra. The same goes for hopping to Como, Annecy or the Black Forest: no new authorisation, but every day in every Schengen country draws on the same 90-day allowance. Days in Switzerland count exactly like days in France.

Paying in euros for a country that uses francs

The ETIAS fee is set in EU law at €20 and is paid on the official EU site, whatever the destination. There is no Swiss franc version and Switzerland does not charge a separate fee. Under-18s and over-70s pay nothing but still need an approved ETIAS.

Do UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens need ETIAS for Switzerland?

Yes, once it becomes mandatory, for skiing, hiking, city breaks, rail holidays and business visits. Longer stays, work and study still need the appropriate Swiss permit.

When should you apply for ETIAS for Switzerland?

Not yet. Applications are not open and there is no official launch date. When ETIAS opens, apply a few days before you travel, including before a ski trip that begins with a flight into Geneva or Zurich.

Travelling to Switzerland? Read by nationality

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Common questions

What is the 90/180-day Schengen rule?

ETIAS-eligible travellers can stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days within any rolling 180-day window. ETIAS does not extend that limit; it only authorises short stays within the existing rules.

How long will ETIAS last?

An approved ETIAS is valid for up to 3 years, or until the passport it is linked to expires, whichever comes first. It allows short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period within ETIAS countries.

How much will ETIAS cost?

The official ETIAS fee is €20, set by EU regulation. Travellers under 18 and over 70 are exempt from the fee, though they will still need an ETIAS. Private services may charge a separate, optional service fee for help with the application.

Is ETIAS a visa?

Technically no. ETIAS is a travel authorisation, not a visa. Many travellers search for “ETIAS visa” or “Europe visa waiver”. The closest comparison is the US ESTA system. You still need a valid passport, and ETIAS does not guarantee entry: border officers always make the final decision.

Can I apply directly through the EU?

Yes. When the official ETIAS system opens, every traveller will be able to apply directly through the official EU website or app at travel-europe.europa.eu/etias. Using a private service is always optional.

Be ready for ETIAS before your next trip to Switzerland

ETIAS is not live yet. Check whether you’re likely to need it and get one email when applications open.

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