Consulate General of Switzerland in Sydney
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
The Embassy and the Consulate General strive to provide the Swiss citizens with the most recent information. However, please note that regulations can change quickly and sometimes without prior notice.
The Embassy and the Consulate General are aware of the difficult situation that many of our citizens currently encounter. We are making every effort to respond to your inquiries quickly. For any consular assistance please contact us by calling during working hours on weekdays (02 8383 4000) or by writing an e-mail anytime to sydney@eda.admin.ch in order to make an appointment. We are currently open Monday to Thursday, 09.00h to 12.00h (closed on Friday) for normal business (passports, civil status, etc.). Please also consult this website for new information regularly.
The Swiss government recommends that Swiss travellers abroad return home as soon as possible. There are different commercial flights available from Australia (Qatar, Emirates, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines). Please check with the airline directly or get in touch with your travel agent.
We advise all Swiss citizens in Australia to comply with the recommendations and regulations of local authorities, the Department of Health and the Department of Home Affairs. Please keep yourself updated. Please be aware that Australian citizens (including dual-nationals) and permanent residents need an exit exemption for travelling abroad: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/leaving-australia .
Please also follow the travel advice "Focus novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)” of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) (Travel Advice "Focus novel Coronavirus"), the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Thank you for your understanding in these extraordinary circumstances worldwide.
Quarantine requirements
Please note that since the middle of June, there have been numerous instances of people infected with the new coronavirus entering Switzerland. As a consequence, people arriving in or returning to Switzerland from certain countries are required to go into quarantine.
For further information and a list of the relevant countries, please consult the website of the Federal Office of Public Health: www.bag.admin.ch.
Anyone who evades quarantine commits an offence under the Epidemics Act and may be fined up to CHF 10,000.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION “VISA FOR SWITZERLAND”
As of 20th July 2020, Australia is no longer on the list of high risk countries of the Swiss Government. Therefore Australian nationals, as well as permanent residents of Australia (as long as they have the necessary Schengen visa), are again allowed to enter Switzerland under the 90 days Schengen rule. However, entry to Switzerland must be from a non-risk country. Any transit, even when only in the Airport, will count as the last stop and if this last stop is a high-risk country, you will be denied entry into Switzerland
Non-risk countries are:
Schengen States:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain
From 20 July 2020: Smaller EU and European countries and other third countries:
Algeria, Andorra, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Ireland, Japan, Morocco, Monaco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Romania, San Marino, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, Vatican / Holy See
All other countries are still considered high risk and entry restrictions continue to apply to people entering Switzerland from these countries.
Short-term visa applications for tourism, visits or business are therefore accepted and processed (permanent residents only!). Please note, that visas for Hungary are not processed until further notice. Long term National visas D (study, work & family reunion) are processed and applications are accepted.
All foreign nationals who are already holders of a Swiss residency permit can enter Switzerland upon presentation of their valid residency permit.
Swiss citizens, citizens of EU/EFTA countries as well as British citizens can enter Switzerland at any time.
For updates on the situation please check the following link: Corona: Questions and answers on entry and stay in Switzerland, the exceptions and suspension of visas
