Switzerland waives post-Brexit visa requirement for British nationals
The Swiss government has dropped the requirement that British nationals obtain a visa to enter Switzerland for a lengthy stay after Britain leaves the European Union. The British government has also extended the same privilege to Swiss nationals wishing to enter Britain after Brexit.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/ac
The decision was made by the seven-member Federal Council on Friday and will come into force on the day the EU’s Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP) ceases to apply to Britain.
Switzerland has also amended its Ordinance on Entry and the Granting of Visas (VGO) to take into account the EU’s likely waiver of visa requirements for UK nationals entering the Schengen zone. The EU is preparing a new electronic visa waiver system, to be ready by 2021, to beef up security. In December, the bloc’s executive proposed to include Britain in the scheme, provided that the sides agree on a Brexit deal before Britain leaves.
“The Federal Council has approved this future Schengen development in advance so as to be able to respond flexibly to developments in relations between the EU and the UK,” a government press statementExternal link said on Friday.
At the end of 2018, there were around 43,000 British nationals living in Switzerland and around 34,500 Swiss nationals living in Britain.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
This content was published on
The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
This content was published on
The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
This content was published on
In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
This content was published on
As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
This content was published on
After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
Swiss study: insects mainly migrate at midday and dusk
This content was published on
A study led by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in canton Lucerne is helping to better understand the movement patterns of migratory insects.
Red Cross: 22 staff killed in Middle East since October
This content was published on
The Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Gaza and Israel has lost 22 staff members since last October, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) said on Wednesday.
Dortmund’s Kobel is first Swiss goalie in Champions League final
This content was published on
Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel has achieved history by becoming the first Swiss goalkeeper to reach a Champion’s League final.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Brits will have to pay for travel permits to EU and Switzerland
This content was published on
British travellers are set to have to pay €7 for a three-year pre-travel authorisation to visit the EU – and Switzerland – after Brexit.
Swiss-British treaty extends worker residency rights post-Brexit
This content was published on
The residency rights of Swiss and British nationals already living in each other’s countries will be guaranteed after Britain leaves the EU.
Swiss-British air service deal signed for post-Brexit flights
This content was published on
Switzerland and Britain have signed an agreement to ensure air services continue to operate between the two countries after Brexit.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.