Embassy
Embassy of the United Kingdom, Bern
Bern
Thunstrasse 50, 3000 Bern 15
Switzerland visa requirements for British citizens
British citizens do not need a visa for Switzerland. Show your passport at the border.
Passport
GBR
United Kingdom
Going to
CHE
Switzerland
No visa needed
People with eligible passports can visit without a visa.
- Visa
- Not required
- Fee
- Free
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
What to do
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it.
Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
Note the maximum stay and count your days in Switzerland.
Ways into Switzerland
Visit with a tourist visa or an allowed visa-free stay.
Visa not required For your passportVisa-free short visitPeople with eligible passports can visit without a visa.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Check your passport on Switzerland's visa-free list.
- Check any special rules for your passport.
- Carry proof of your trip and funds.
Documents required
- Accepted passport
- Passport valid 90 days after departure
- Proof of trip and funds
- Hotel details recommended
- Return or onward ticket recommended
- Stay at most 90 days per 180 across Schengen; this does not allow work.
- For trips you fund yourself, carry proof of at least 100 CHF per day.
Visa not requiredVisit with Schengen papersVisit with an accepted Schengen residence permit or type D visa.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Check that your permit or visa allows Schengen travel.
- Carry your original permit or visa and travel document.
- Keep both valid for your whole visit.
Documents required
- Accepted travel document
- Schengen residence permit or D visa
- Visit for at most 90 days per 180; this does not allow work or moving.
- A Schengen tourist visa can also work within its dates, entry count and stay limit.
Visa on arrivalEmergency border visaBorder staff may grant a visa when unexpected urgent reasons prevented applying earlier.
- Stay
- 15 days
How to apply
- Explain your unexpected, urgent reason to border staff.
- Show proof of your reason and planned departure.
- Wait for border staff to decide.
Documents required
- Accepted travel document
- Proof of urgent reason
- Proof of return or onward travel
- Do not rely on this for a planned trip; border staff must accept your case.
- The stay is at most 15 days; transit allows only the time needed.
Visa requiredTourist visaFor tourists who need a visa for a short visit.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Fee
- €90
- Processing
- 15–45 days
How to apply
- Check that Switzerland is your main Schengen stop.
- Find the Swiss visa office for where you live.
- Book an appointment and submit your form and papers.
- Pay the fee and give fingerprints if asked.
Documents required
- Passport with 2 blank pages
- Passport valid 90 days after departure
- Signed form and photo
- Travel health insurance
- Travel and hotel bookings
- Proof of funds and personal ties
- Child consent papers if needed
- Return ticket
- Fingerprints
- Stay at most 90 days per 180 across Schengen; your visa may allow fewer.
- Insurance must cover the whole Schengen trip, including emergency care and medical return: 30,000 EUR.
Sources (32)Last updated 11 November 2026
- State Secretariat for Migration: entering Switzerland
- SEM: entry requirements by nationality
- SEM: nationality-table publication page
- SEM: nationality and passport requirements, 3 April 2026
- SEM: special provisions and airport transit exemptions
- SEM: entry frequently asked questions
- SEM: entry with a visa
- SEM: entry without a visa
- SEM: Schengen area
- SEM: current and planned ETIAS requirements
- SEM: working in Switzerland
- Schengen Visa Code published by SEM
- Federal Department of Foreign Affairs: visa requirements
- Switzerland's official online visa application system
- Official European Union ETIAS information website
- European Commission: applying for a Schengen visa
- Swiss representations in the US: short-stay visa requirement
- Swiss representations in the US: national visa procedures
- Swiss representations in the US: student visa checklist
- Swiss representations in the US: family-reunification checklist, November 2026
- Swiss representation in the UK: Schengen visa procedure
- Swiss representation in the UK: business checklist
- Swiss representation in the UK: study-trip checklist
- Swiss representation in the UK: visitor checklist
- Swiss Embassy in India: visa and entry information
- Swiss Embassy in India: tourist checklist
- Swiss Embassy in India: airport transit visa requirement
- Swiss Embassy in Ethiopia: airport transit procedure
- Swiss Embassy in Korea: airport transit checklist
- Swiss representations in China: Schengen application procedure
- Swiss representations in China: medical-treatment checklist
- Swiss representation in New Zealand: bilateral visa waiver
Embassies for this trip
For lost passports and emergencies.
Trips to Switzerland
Day-by-day itineraries by snuck, shaped around you.
Coming from United Kingdom
- Plugs C JAdapter needed
- MoneyCHF Fr
- Time+9h
- DrivingOn the rightLook left first
- LanguageFrench
- Emergency117 police144 ambulance
Planning your Switzerland trip
Best time to go: Late May to early October is the most convenient period for exploring. July and August can be crowded; winter is popular for skiing and other winter sports.
- The Swiss AlpsSee high mountains, glaciers and dramatic scenery in southern Switzerland.
- The Jura mountainsExplore the mountain landscape in the northwest of the country.
- Lake Geneva vineyardsThe region is known for its wine and attractive vineyards.
- Furka PassThis mountain pass between Uri and Valais offers an Alpine journey almost 2.5 kilometres above sea level.
Scams to watch for in Switzerland
- Pickpocketing and petty theftThieves take valuables while travellers are distracted. Petty theft is fairly common in Geneva. Pickpockets are also a main theft concern on Basel's public transport.
- Bag snatching on the airport trainBag snatchers target this train route. A bag left out of sight or beyond easy reach is harder to protect.
- Bicycle and bicycle-part theftThieves take unsecured bicycle parts, including seats and wheels. Bicycles may also be vandalised.
About Switzerland
Switzerland is a landlocked federal republic in Central Europe, across the Alps and the Jura.
- Capital
- Bern
- Money
- Swiss franc (Fr)
- Languages
- French, Swiss German, Italian
- Time zone
- UTC+01:00
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +41
Other Europe passports
Going to Switzerland
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Switzerland with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Do british citizens need a visa for Switzerland?
British citizens do not need a visa for Switzerland. Show your passport at the border.
Do swiss citizens need a visa for the United Kingdom?
Swiss citizens need an eTA, a short online form, before flying to the United Kingdom.
Do other Europe passports get easier entry to Switzerland?
Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina, and 5 more can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Switzerland are easier for british citizens?
Belgium, France, Germany, Liechtenstein Luxembourg, and 3 more let british citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Switzerland?
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it. Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
What money is used in Switzerland?
Swiss franc (Fr). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Switzerland?
French, Swiss German, Italian and Romansh.
How strong is the United Kingdom passport?
It ranks #7 and reaches 155 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck