Switzerland Is Now Open to Vaccinated American Travelers

Alison Fox
·2 min read

Switzerland has officially joined the ranks of European countries welcoming Americans back this summer. As of June 28, the country has reopened to vaccinated U.S. travelers.

The country, known for its breathtaking Alps, gorgeous national parks, and world-renowned chocolate, has opened its borders to American and Canadian tourists who have received a complete course of an approved vaccine against COVID-19, the Swiss tourism site noted. These travelers will not be required to quarantine or undergo pre-arrival testing. Unvaccinated travelers can enter if they can prove they have recovered from COVID-19 or show a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel.

"I'm not only thrilled but also feel quite emotional that we finally can go back to what we do best; host guests from North America in our magnificent country," Zemp said tourism board director Claudio Zemp in a statement. "I have long believed that Switzerland, with its small boutique towns, rustic villages dotted along picturesque valleys, and wide-open alpine landscapes is the natural choice for a post-Covid holiday. Now that the borders will be open… we can't wait to welcome each one of you."

Rhine River, Canton of Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Rhine River, Canton of Schaffhausen, Switzerland

Albert Ceolan / De Agostini Picture Library via Getty

All travelers who enter the country by air will be required to complete an online entry form prior to arrival.

Switzerland has already reopened its borders to travelers from the Schengen area as well as several other countries, including New Zealand, Australia, Israel, Singapore, and South Korea, according to the State Secretariat for Migration. Switzerland first started preparing for travelers in June 2020, implementing its "Clean & Safe" campaign.

Switzerland isn't alone in recently reopening to fully vaccinated U.S. tourists. Most recently, Sweden has also started welcoming American tourists who got the jab (as of June 30) — joining countries like Iceland and France, both of which began welcoming vaccinated American travelers earlier this year.

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram.