After the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is rolled out at the end of 2026, certain travellers wishing to enter Schengen Area countries, including Switzerland, will be subject to additional requirements.
Specifically, nationals from visa-exempt countries outside the Schengen Area who wish to travel to Europe for a short-term stay of up to 90 days will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation.
These new requirements do not affect Swiss nationals who want to enter a Schengen Area country with a valid passport. Yet they could have implications for Swiss Abroad with dual or multiple nationality who use the passport of a visa-exempt country when travelling. The sticking point here is that anyone who completes an ETIAS application must provide details of all their nationalities. As things stand, this means that any Swiss citizens who are also nationals of other countries such as the United States, Canada or Australia will in future also have to show their valid Swiss passport when entering the Schengen Area.
We therefore recommend that you keep an eye on the latest entry requirements and work out in good time which travel documents you need before travelling to the Schengen Area.
For the latest official information, visit: European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)
The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad will itself keep a close eye on further developments. We will let you know via our usual channels as soon as we have definitive information on how the new system works in practice.
ETIAS will also be the subject of a webinar hosted by the FDFA and Soliswiss on 16 June 2026.
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