Switzerland
How long you can stay, how long your vehicle can, and what your dog or cat needs to cross. Every rule links to the official source.
- Schengen area
- Not in the EU
- Outside the EU customs territory
- Last checked 28 Sep 2026
Your rules for Switzerland
You · American passport
Up to 90 days in any 180
Visa-free for short stays. These days count toward your 90 in any 180 across the whole Schengen area.
sem.admin.ch · Official source · Checked 27 Sep 2026
Your vehicle · United States plates
180 days a year
It comes in on a temporary import. When the time runs out, it has to leave.
bazg.admin.ch · Official source · Checked 27 Sep 2026
Your dog or cat
Start at least 21 days out
Microchip, rabies shot, EU-model health certificate within 10 days; no titer. See the steps
blv.admin.ch · Official source · Checked 28 Sep 2026
Watch Switzerland.
We'll email you if Switzerland's rules change for your American passport, United States plates or your pet. That's the only email you'll get.
What your pet needs to cross into Switzerland.
Do these in order. Miss one and your pet can be held at the border.
- Before you go
Microchip (ISO 11784/11785)
A vet implants a microchip. It must be done on or before the day of the rabies vaccination.
- On or after the microchip
Rabies vaccination
A vet gives an inactivated or recombinant rabies vaccine, on or after the microchip date, when the pet is at least 12 weeks old.
- At least 21 days after the rabies shot
Wait 21 days after primary rabies vaccination
Travel no earlier than 21 days after a primary rabies vaccination.
- Still valid the day you arrive
Rabies vaccine still valid on arrival
Your pet's rabies vaccine must still be valid on the day you cross. Check the 'valid until' date on the vaccination record and book a booster before it runs out.
- Within 10 days before you arrive
EU animal health certificate
An official vet (or an authorised vet, then government endorsement) completes the EU non-commercial animal health certificate no more than 10 days before arrival in the EU.
- Within 10 days before you arrive
Government endorsement
If the certificate was signed by a private authorised vet (e.g. USDA-accredited), the national veterinary authority must endorse it; the 10-day window then counts from the endorsement.
- By the day you arrive
Owner's non-commercial declaration
The owner (or authorised person) signs the non-commercial declaration attached to the certificate.
- At the border
Documentary and identity check at a travellers' point of entry
Enter the EU through a designated travellers' point of entry and present the pet and documents for checks.
- At the border
Declare the pet at a staffed Swiss border crossing
Present the pet and its documents personally at a staffed border crossing during customs hours for travellers.
blv.admin.ch · Official source · Checked 28 Sep 2026. The app works these dates backward from your travel day and reminds you.
Every passport in Switzerland
| Passport | Entry | How long | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (yours) | Visa-free | Up to 90 days in any 180 | sem.admin.ch · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Argentina | Visa-free | Up to 90 days in any 180 | sem.admin.ch · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Australia | Visa-free | Up to 90 days in any 180 | sem.admin.ch · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Austria | Free movement | No limit | sem.admin.ch · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Belgium | Free movement | No limit | sem.admin.ch · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Brazil | Visa-free | Up to 90 days in any 180 | sem.admin.ch · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Bulgaria | Free movement | No limit | sem.admin.ch · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Canada | Visa-free | Up to 90 days in any 180 | sem.admin.ch · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
Every registration in Switzerland
| Registered in | Entry | How long | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (yours) | Temporary import | 180 days a year | bazg.admin.ch · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Argentina | Temporary import | 180 days a year | bazg.admin.ch · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Australia | Temporary import | 180 days a year | bazg.admin.ch · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Austria | Temporary import | 180 days a year | bazg.admin.ch · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Belgium | Temporary import | 180 days a year | bazg.admin.ch · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Brazil | Temporary import | 180 days a year | bazg.admin.ch · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Bulgaria | Temporary import | 180 days a year | bazg.admin.ch · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Canada | Temporary import | 180 days a year | bazg.admin.ch · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
A plain-language summary of the official rules, checked on the date shown. It isn't legal advice, and the officer at the desk always has the final word.
Planning a Switzerland leg?
We'll count it for you.
BorderRunner turns these rules into your exact exit date, for you, your vehicle and your dog, and reminds you well before it's close. The first week is on us.
