COVID Entry requirements into Switzerland for UK travellers

Transportation, Travel and Trips
1
Dear forum members

Has anyone had any visitors from the UK who are:

- Not vaccinated but recovered from COVID within the last 4 months

- Reason for travel: Family visit (sibling)

- UK Citizen

I had a look at the travel check website and the SEM FAQ and it looks like it’s not possible to enter if not vaccinated but I wanted to check if you have had a different experience as I find it quite strange that recently recovered people also need to be vaccinated.

Many thanks for your input!

TLD

2
bag.admin.ch has all the info you need.

Yes it is possible to enter without being vaccinated.

3
Actually, looks like he cannot visit. UK citizens who don't have granfathered rights are 3rd country citizens. And he doesn't fit the allowed exemptions.

Using the info provided, Travelcheck gives this:

Travelcheck

Summary

Please review your answers

Would you like information on entering Switzerland or another country?

Entering Switzerland (incl. transit)

Which of the following statements apply to you?

Other

Which country are you entering from?

United Kingdom

Which of the following statements apply to you?

I have not been vaccinated against COVID-19.

What is the reason for entry?

Please also note the info boxes ().

Tourism / other trips

Result:

Travelcheck

Entry is not currently possible. You want to enter Switzerland from a risk country but you do not meet the requirements. For this reason, entry is not possible.

Minors can always enter the country accompanied by adults who are also entitled to enter.

The entry restrictions are regularly reviewed and are changing all the time. However, we cannot give you any details about specific changes.

For further information, please see the website of the State Secretariat for Migration SEM .

So it seems he cannot visit, because he does not fit the official definition of Visiting Close Family:

Visiting close family (spouse, registered partner or children under 18) who are resident in Switzerland Exercising a visitation right (under civil law) for children and their accompanying person; this includes the child's entry to Switzerland Birth, wedding, serious illness of grandparents, parents, siblings, children or grandchildren resident in Switzerland Visits between couples or persons in other close relationships who are not married or in a civil partnership and do not have shared children (long-term relationship)

He needs to get vaccinated!

Kind regards

Ian

4
Actually, the lady who was denied boarding on my last flight from MCR to ZRH was unvaccinated but recently recovered. She argued in vain with the check in desk for an hour, but they would not accept her recovery certificate. No ski holiday for her...

Kind regards

Ian

PS. I know all this because she was Loud and Angry and generally being Argumentative to the poor check in staff.

5
Many thanks Ian for sharing this story Ian. Exactly what I was looking for to quash any hopes of talking our way through it.

I’m with the argumentative woman but yeh poor check-in staff.

6
Unfortunately not as confirmed by Ian’s airport experience.

The way the Swiss rules work is that:

1) SEM (Secreteriat für Migration) sets the entry requirement rules

2) BAG (Bundesamt für Gesundheit) sets the COVID “health” rules once you enter Switzerland.

Live and learn...

7
Just had a thought to see if it would be possible to get around the rules somehow... and it seems quite plausible!

So for non-vaccinated but recovered persons we have:

Route 1:

UK Airport -> Swiss Airport - This is not currently permitted as UK is high risk country and entry is only allowed under certain additional conditions.

Route 2:

UK Airport -> Schengen / EU / EFTA airport -> Switzerland by car - Works!

Will report back on once confirmed!

8
I’ve just had a look at BAG, recall reading that the UK was no longer considered a special risk country (since 4.12.21 if I’m reading correctly) Not quite sure airline counter staff can keep up with the constantly changing restrictions for countries an airline serves...

(What documentation does the person travelling have of recovery? I think many will be caught out as they have no official proof of positive test, a self-test and subsequent isolation/waited out recovery)

9
Thanks it would need to be the SEM rules that apply for entry requirements.

The covid recovery is documented through an NHS COVID Certificate of recovery based on a positive PCR test.

10
IIRC it was exactly that certificate that would not be accepted at the checkin...

Kind regards

Ian