Rules for entering Switzerland for Ukrainians
What documents are required to enter Switzerland?
To enter Switzerland, Ukrainians need to have a valid passport (biometric, a validity period of at least 3 months after the planned date of entry) and a health insurance policy with coverage of at least EUR 30,000 and valid for the entire period of your stay in the country.
If you are traveling with children, each child must have their own biometric passport. If the child is traveling with relatives or friends, a notarized permission to leave from one of the parents is required. It is important to remember that the consent of the other parent is not required if the child is traveling with one of the parents during martial law in Ukraine.
Important information for those traveling from Ukraine to Switzerland by car
If you are planning to leave Ukraine for Switzerland by your own car, you should take care of obtaining a Green Card policy in advance, because without it, the car will not be allowed across the border. It takes a few minutes to apply for a Green Card. All you need to do is follow the link, provide the necessary data and pay for the service.
Can I travel to Switzerland with pets?
Yes, you can travel to Switzerland with pets. To do this, you must have the following documents:
- A pet identification chip.
- A valid veterinary passport with all necessary vaccinations, including rabies (the vaccine must be given no earlier than 21 days before travel).
- A certificate of health issued by a veterinarian.
Do I need health insurance to travel to Switzerland?
Health insurance is mandatory for traveling to Switzerland. This ensures that you will be able to receive the necessary medical care in case of unforeseen situations during your trip. You can take out health insurance on the Visit Ukraine website with detailed conditions and a choice of plans.
How much money do you need to enter Switzerland in 2026?
When entering Switzerland, border guards may require proof of sufficient financial means to cover your expenses during your stay — usually around CHF 100 (≈ €90-100) per day is considered sufficient proof of funds. For students, the minimum requirement is reduced to CHF 30 (approximately €30) per day.
How long can I stay in Switzerland without applying for a residence permit?
Ukrainians can stay in Switzerland without applying for a residence permit for up to 90 days under the visa-free regime. If you plan to stay longer, you need to apply for temporary protection or a residence permit.
⚠️ Currently, Swiss border authorities are assessing the actual purpose of travel more carefully, even for visa-free entry.
In practice, questions may arise for tourists with long planned stays or unconfirmed reservations. They also check compliance with the length of stay during previous trips to the Schengen area.
👉 Legal advice will help you assess the risks and prepare the right documents before your trip.
✅ So, to travel to Switzerland, please prepare the following documents:
- Biometric passport
- Health insurance policy
- Confirmation of sufficient funds for the trip (the daily allowance for EU countries differs or is absent altogether, as, for example, in Germany. It is recommended to focus on the amount of 100 euros per day per person)
- Green card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad
Looking for help with entry or documentation issues in Switzerland?
Visit Ukraine provides legal services for Ukrainians facing such challenges. Our experts will help you with all the nuances of entry and paperwork to make you feel confident and secure.
Choose the format that suits you best:
- Written consultation: Get clear and specific answers to your questions.
- Introductory consultation (30 minutes): For those who need a quick assessment of the situation and the first steps.
- Basic consultation (60 min): A detailed review of your situation with advice to help you make decisions.
- Legal support: Professional support at every stage - from departure to obtaining a residence permit.
🫂 To learn more about the services and order legal advice, follow this link. With us you will get confidence in your actions and professional support in all legal matters related to Switzerland.
Due to the closed airspace of Ukraine, traveling to Switzerland requires planning your route in advance. The best option is to travel by land to one of the neighboring European countries from where flights to Switzerland are available. Bus routes from Ukraine to Switzerland are widely used. Traveling by car is also a good alternative.
1. 🚌 🚆 Traveling by land to neighboring European countries
Romania:
- By bus: Regular bus routes are available from Kyiv, Odesa and Lviv to Bucharest or Suceava. The travel time is about 11-14 hours, the ticket price starts from 1200 UAH.
- By train: A direct train from Kyiv to Bucharest or Suceava is a convenient travel option. The travel time is 18-22 hours and the ticket price starts from 1400 UAH.
Hungary:
- By bus: There are bus services from Ukraine to Budapest that last about 15-20 hours. The ticket price starts from 1600 hryvnias.
- Train: Direct trains from Kyiv to Budapest take approximately 18 hours and the ticket price starts from 1500 UAH.
Poland:
- Bus: Buses run regularly from Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa to Warsaw or Krakow. Travel time is from 9 to 16 hours, and tickets start at 1200 UAH.
- Train: A convenient train route from Kyiv to Przemyśl or Warsaw allows you to get to Poland comfortably. Tickets cost from 1300 UAH.
Moldova:
- Bus: Buses run from Kyiv, Odesa, and other Ukrainian cities to Chisinau. The trip lasts from 8 to 13 hours, and the ticket price starts at 600 hryvnias.
- Train: A direct train from Odesa to Chisinau is a convenient way to get to Moldova. Travel time is 5-6 hours and the ticket costs from 500 hryvnias.
Slovakia:
- By bus: Regular bus routes are available from Kyiv, Lviv, and Mukachevo to Kosice or Bratislava. The travel time is about 24 hours and the ticket price starts from 2000 UAH.
- Train: The Slovak city of Kosice can be reached by trains №961, №963 from Mukachevo. The travel time is 4 hours and the ticket price starts from 366 UAH.
Austria:
- By bus: There are bus routes available from Kyiv, Lviv and Mukachevo to Vienna. The travel time is about 25 hours and the ticket price starts from 2000 UAH.
- Train: You can get to Austria by non-stop trains №749, №140 Kyiv-Vienna and Chop-Vienna. The travel time is 8-23 hours and the ticket price is about 2000 hryvnias.
From Vienna you can take a direct train to Zurich. Travel time - 8 hours, ticket price - from 2000 UAH.
💡 Please note!
You can buy tickets (train/bus/plane) from and to Ukraine, as well as between cities around the world, through the convenient Visit Ukraine booking system. The site has a bonus points system that allows you to travel much cheaper.
2. ✈️ Flights from Europe to Switzerland
After arriving in one of the neighboring countries, you can choose one of the following options for traveling to Switzerland:
Poland:
- Warsaw: Numerous direct flights to Geneva, Zurich or other Swiss cities are available from Warsaw. The ticket price starts from 5000 hryvnias, and the travel time is from 2 to 3 hours.
- Krakow: Flights to Basel and connecting flights to Geneva and Zurich are available. Ticket price starts from 3200 UAH, travel time - from 2 to 4 hours.
- Wroclaw: Direct flight to Zurich. Ticket price starts from 13000 UAH, travel time - from 1 hour 35 minutes.
Hungary:
- Budapest: Direct flights to Geneva and Basel are available from Budapest. The ticket price starts from 3000 UAH, and the travel time is about 2 hours.
Romania:
- Bucharest: Numerous direct flights to Geneva, Zurich, and Basel are available from Bucharest. The ticket price starts from 3000 hryvnias and the travel time is about 2-3 hours.
Moldova:
- Chisinau: There are flights with stopovers to Geneva, Zurich, and Basel. The ticket price starts from 6000 hryvnias, travel time - from 5 to 7 hours.
Slovakia:
- Bratislava: Connecting flights to Basel and Geneva are available from Bratislava. Ticket price starts from 8000 UAH, travel time - from 5 to 7 hours.
Austria:
- Vienna: There are numerous direct flights from Vienna to Geneva, Basel, Zurich, and other Spanish cities. The ticket price starts from 7000 hryvnias, and the travel time is from 1 to 2 hours.
3. 🚍 Alternative bus routes
If you prefer to travel by bus, you can consider routes through neighboring countries:
📍 Lviv - Krakow (Poland) - Prague (Czech Republic) - Mannheim (Germany) - Basel.
- Travel time: About 36-40 hours.
- Price: The cost of tickets can start from 8000 hryvnia.
📍Kyiv - Lviv - Krakow (Poland) - Prague (Czech Republic) - Munich (Germany) - Zurich.
- Travel time: About 45-50 hours.
- Price: The cost of tickets can start from 9000 hryvnias.
💡 You can always find out more about the schedule and prices, as well as buy a ticket convenient for you on our website - here.
4. 🚗 Traveling by your own car
Traveling by car can be an attractive option for those who want to see more countries on the way to Switzerland and be independent of transport schedules.
❗️ Important: to travel abroad by your own car, you must have a Green Card insurance policy.
Route through Poland:
- The most popular car route: Kyiv - Lviv - Krakow (Poland) - Prague (Czech Republic) - Munich (Germany) - Zurich (Switzerland).
- Distance: Approximately 2000 km.
- Travel time: Depending on the stops and pace of travel, the journey can take between 20 and 30 hours of net travel time.
- Costs: Taking into account fuel costs, toll roads, and possibly overnight stays, the total cost can range from 300 to 400 euros depending on fuel costs and other factors.
Dial 144 for medical and ambulance services and 118 for fire stations.
How to travel abroad with a child in 2026?
During martial law, Ukraine has simplified rules for children traveling abroad. Children under the age of 16 can cross the border accompanied by one parent without the notarized consent of the other parent. If a child travels with relatives or other trusted persons, a written statement from one of the parents, certified by the guardianship and custody authority, is required. Children who have reached the age of 16 have the right to travel outside Ukraine on their own.
Documents for a child to travel abroad
Before traveling to Switzerland, make sure that your child has all the necessary documents:
- Biometric passport: for visa-free entry and a stay of up to 90 days.
- Birth certificate: if no passport is available, but note that there may be restrictions on entering Switzerland without a biometric passport.
- Travel permit: if the child is traveling with relatives or other trusted persons, a written statement from one of the parents, certified by the guardianship authority, is required.
- Health insurance: a policy with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros, valid in Switzerland.
- Documents confirming the purpose of the trip: confirmation of accommodation reservation, invitations, tickets, etc.
List of things to pack for a trip with a child
Documents:
- Originals and copies of all required documents
- Medical insurance
What to take on the road:
- Change of clothes and shoes
- Hygiene products, diapers (if necessary)
- Medicines (antipyretic, anti-allergy, digestive)
- Light snacks and water in case of long waiting times
- Toys, books or gadgets to keep your child entertained
If you are traveling by car:
In Switzerland, a car seat is mandatory for children under 12 years old or under 150 cm tall.
Legal nuances of traveling abroad with a child
Rules for issuing a power of attorney for a child:
- If a child is traveling with one parent, the notarized consent of the other parent is not required.
- If the child is traveling with relatives or other authorized persons, a written statement from one of the parents, certified by the guardianship and custody authority, is required.
- The Swiss border authorities may require translation of documents into German, French, Italian or English - it is worth checking before traveling.
📌 Not sure whether you need a power of attorney for your child to travel to Switzerland or how to properly draw it up?
Visit Ukraine lawyers will help you understand all the nuances of crossing the border, tell you what documents are needed and how to prepare them correctly.
Practical tips for traveling with a child
- Keep your documents separately and in an easily accessible place at the border.
- Use public transportation. Switzerland is known for its efficient transportation system, which is very convenient for families with children.
- Swiss Family Card - if you have a Swiss Travel Pass, your children under 16 years old can travel free of charge on all types of public transport.
- Public transport is wheelchair accessible and most stations are equipped with elevators and ramps.
- Trains have special coaches for families (Family Coach) with play areas for children.
- Tap water in Switzerland is absolutely safe for children and can be drunk without additional purification.
- Penalties for traffic violations are high: if you rent a car, keep in mind that you can get a fine of up to CHF 200 for improper transportation of a child.
- Switzerland has one of the most expensive healthcare systems in the world, so health insurance is mandatory.
👉 Apply for insurance in a few minutes on Visit Ukraine - it covers emergency care, treatment, diagnosis and hospitalization in Swiss clinics.
Useful contacts in Switzerland
Embassy of Ukraine in Switzerland and Liechtenstein
Consular reception: daily 10:00 - 12:00 and 15:00 - 17:00
Address: Feldeggweg 5, CH-3005 Bern
Phone: +41 31 352 23 16
Hotline: +41 76 701 10 88
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://switzerland.mfa.gov.ua/
Emergency numbers
Ambulance and police - 112
Customs regulations in Switzerland
- personal items: clothing, toiletries, photo and movie cameras, musical instruments, sports equipment, laptops
- Alcohol: up to 1 liter of spirits or 2 liters of wine (below 15% alcohol) - only persons over 17 years of age
- Tobacco: up to 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of pipe tobacco - only persons over 17 years of age
- gifts: up to 100 francs
- food: for 1 day
- drugs
- fake Swiss watches
- anesthetic medicines without appropriate prescriptions
- absinthe
- skins of wild animals (primarily feline, crocodile and lizard) and products from them
- fruits
- flower plants with soil
- works of art, antiques (more than 100 years old) and icons without appropriate permission
Frequantly ASKED QUESTIONS
Switzerland for Ukrainians: what are the entry rules in 2026?
Ukrainians do not need a visa to enter Switzerland in 2026, provided they have a biometric passport. You can stay in the country for up to 90 days. If you plan to stay for a longer period, you need to apply for temporary protection or a residence permit.
Are you planning to travel by car? Don't forget to take out a Green Card policy for traveling abroad, which is a compulsory car insurance for traveling to Switzerland.