COVID-19: Swiss certificates now recognized by the EU, restrictions relaxed

Switzerland and the European Union (EU) announced this month that they would recognize each other’s COVID-19 vaccination certificates in a move that will ease travel procedures between Switzerland and EU countries.

Key Points:

• Travelers holding a Swiss COVID certificate are eligible to travel within the EU without undergoing quarantine or testing requirements.
• Travelers holding an EU Digital COVID Certificate arriving from Schengen Area countries are allowed to enter Switzerland without quarantining, and those who are vaccinated are no longer subject to any entry restrictions. Those who have not been vaccinated or who received a vaccine not authorized by the European Medicines Agency need to have proof of a negative test result.
• Three types of COVID certificates are available depending on whether a person has been vaccinated, recovered from the illness, or received a negative test result. The application process varies depending on these three situations. See details here.

Background: The certificate is part of Switzerland’s effort to ease COVID-19 travel restrictions. Under a change that took effect on June 26, vaccinated travelers from third countries can travel freely with proof of their vaccination. Unvaccinated travelers from third countries are required to provide proof of negative PCR or antigen test results. See this site for more information. Unvaccinated travelers and those who have not recovered from the virus coming from a high-risk country with a COVID-19 virus variant must present a negative test result and go into quarantine upon arrival.

BAL Analysis: This reciprocity between the EU and Switzerland facilitates travel by eliminating quarantine and testing requirements for all except those not vaccinated or recovered from the illness. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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