Travel advice

Travel Advice and Entry Requirements

Participants are responsible for ensuring that they meet the applicable requirements for entering Switzerland.

Switzerland is part of the Schengen Area. Entry requirements depend on your nationality, country of residence, travel document and length and purpose of stay. For conference participants making a short visit, the applicable category will normally be a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

Participants should consult the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) for the latest official information before travelling.

Official Swiss entry and visa information:

• State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) – entry and visa requirements

• Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) – Swiss representations and visa information

Please note that entry and visa requirements may change and can differ according to nationality.

Visa Requirements

Nationals of many countries may visit Switzerland for a short stay without obtaining a visa in advance. Other nationalities require a Schengen Visa (Type C) for stays of up to 90 days.

Participants who require a visa should contact the Swiss embassy or consulate responsible for their place of residenceand begin the application process sufficiently in advance.

As a general rule, once a complete Schengen visa application has been accepted, a decision is normally taken within 15 days, although individual cases may require additional processing time.

A conference participant applying for a visa may be asked to provide evidence concerning the purpose and circumstances of the visit, accommodation, financial means and return travel.

If you require an official conference invitation or confirmation letter in support of a visa application, please contact the conference organisers and provide the information requested for the preparation of the letter.

We strongly recommend checking your individual visa requirements directly with the relevant Swiss representation before making non-refundable travel arrangements.

Documents Needed to Enter Switzerland

Exact requirements depend on nationality.

Citizens of EU and EFTA countries can generally enter Switzerland with a valid national identity card or recognised passport.

For third-country nationals visiting the Schengen Area for a short stay, the travel document must generally:

• be recognised for entry into Switzerland;

• have been issued within the previous 10 years; and

• remain valid for at least three months after the intended date of departure from the Schengen Area.

Depending on nationality and visa status, travellers may also be required to provide:

• a valid Schengen visa, where required;

• evidence of the purpose and conditions of their stay;

• evidence of sufficient financial means; and

• evidence of return or onward travel.

Participants should verify their individual requirements with the Swiss authorities before travelling.

Health and Travel Insurance

There are no conference-specific health requirements for travel to Basel. Participants should nevertheless ensure that they have appropriate medical insurance for the duration of their visit.

Visitors insured under a statutory health insurance system in an EU/EFTA country or the United Kingdom can generally access medically necessary treatment during a temporary stay in Switzerland using the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or equivalent documentation.

Visitors from other countries should ensure that their insurance provides adequate medical cover in Switzerland. Travel insurance covering medical treatment, cancellation and other unforeseen circumstances is recommended.

Applicants who require a Schengen visa must have qualifying travel medical insurance with minimum coverage of EUR 30,000.

Customs and Currency

The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss franc (CHF). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted throughout Basel.

Switzerland is part of the Schengen Area but is not part of the EU Customs Union, meaning that customs regulations continue to apply when crossing the Swiss border, including when travelling from neighbouring France or Germany.

Personal belongings intended for use during your stay, such as clothing, laptops, mobile phones and cameras, can normally be brought into Switzerland duty-free. Separate allowances and restrictions apply to other goods, including food, alcohol and tobacco.

Travellers may carry cash into or out of Switzerland without a fixed upper limit. However, persons carrying CHF 10,000 or more, or the equivalent in another currency, must provide accurate information concerning the money if questioned by Swiss customs officials.

For detailed information, please consult the Swiss Federal Office for Customs and Border Security before travelling.

Travelling with Children

Minors entering Switzerland must meet the normal entry requirements applicable to their nationality.

The Swiss State Secretariat for Migration recommends that a minor travelling alone or with someone other than a parent or legal guardian carry a written declaration of consent from the parent or person with parental authority.

The declaration should contain contact details for the person with parental authority and may also state the dates, destination, duration and purpose of the journey. It should be written in German, French, Italian or English.

Parents and accompanying adults should check the most recent requirements before travelling.

Useful Official Information

For the most current information concerning entry requirements, visas, customs and health insurance, participants should refer to the relevant Swiss authorities:

• State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) – entry and visa requirements

• Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) – Swiss representations and visa information

• Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) – health insurance information for visitors

• Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) – customs regulations

• Basel Tourism – arrival information, public transport and the BaselCard