Embassy of Switzerland in Russia
As the official representation of Switzerland, the embassy covers all matters concerning diplomatic relations between the two countries. It represents Swiss interests in the areas of political, economic and financial affairs, legal arrangements, science, education and culture.
Swiss Ambassador’s Award Russia
Registration for the Swiss Ambassador's Award 2021 is open! Do you or your institution contribute to strengthening cultural ties between Switzerland and Russia? We invite all candidates who maintain the Swiss heritage in Russia, whether through historical or contemporary projects, to submit their application by May 30, 2021. More information
Coronavirus: Update of the travel restrictions
Travelling to Swizerland
Swiss nationals and holders of a Swiss residence permit B or C, citizens of a of a Member State of the European Union and citizens of a Member State of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) are allowed to enter Switzerland. There are regular direct flights between Russia and Switzerland (Zurich and Geneva).
The issuing of Schengen visas to third-country nationals is suspended until further notice. Persons from third countries, including Russia, are only allowed to enter Switzerland in exceptional cases (cf. Ordinance 3 on Measures to Combat the Coronavirus).
The visa counters of the Embassy and those of our partner TLS Russia remain closed. No visas for tourism are being issued for the time being. Russian citizens who are in a situation of necessity and have to travel to Switzerland, need a special authorization from the Embassy of Switzerland to enter Switzerland even if they have a valid Schengen visa.
If you wish to receive such an authorization or have other specific questions, please contact the Visa Section of the Embassy by email: moscow.visa@eda.admin.ch
From 8 February 2021, all travellers are obliged to provide a medical certificate of a negative test for the coronavirus (PCR test) which is less than 72 hours old before their arrival in Switzerland. This certificate has to be presented at the airline's check-in counter at the airport of departure. Children under 12 years don’t need to present a PCR test. For further details regarding the entry to Switzerland, please check the page "Rules for entering Switzerland".
For frequently asked questions about returning to Switzerland in times of coronavirus, please visit the page "What does the FDFA advise?".
For further information on travel restrictions worldwide, please check the FDFA travel advice.
Travelling to Russia
The Russian Government has decided that until further notice:
- Russian land, river and sea borders are temporarily closed.
- International commercial air traffic from and to Russia is temporarily suspended.
- The entry of foreigners to the territory of the Russian Federation is restricted.
According to the government decree of 1 August 2020, Swiss nationals and people with a residence permit for Switzerland are excluded from the restrictions to enter Russia. They can now enter Russia by airway either directly from Switzerland or through one of the countries which also resumed flights with Russia. The official list of these countries can be found on the website of the Russian Federation in Russian. Information in English is also regularly updated on the website of Aeroflot.
The Russian travel restrictions also do not apply to diplomatic and consular staff in Russia and their families, to professional drivers of international shipping and bus companies, to crew members of airlines, maritime and river vessels, to liaison staff of international railways, to official delegation members, to holders of diplomatic, service and regular private visas attending funeral services of immediate relatives, and to persons holding permanent residence in Russia.
To enter Russia, foreign nationals are obliged to provide a medical certificate in English or Russian of a negative test for the coronavirus (PCR test) that is no more than 72 hours old before their arrival in Russia. This certificate has to be presented at the airline's check-in counter at the airport of departure.
Foreign nationals who enter Russia to start working must undergo a quarantine for 14 days from the date of their arrival in Russia.
For more information, please consult the Consulate of Russia in Switzerland.
Due to the current situation, Swiss nationals may extend the validity of their residence permit or visa in Russia, if these have expired. To do so, please consult the nearest office of the Russian Ministry of the Interior.
If you contract the COVID-19 during your stay in Russia and overstay your visa due to the subsequent quarantine, you may need an exit visa. In this case, please contact the nearest office of the Russian Ministry of Interior. The Embassy cannot assist you in obtaining the visa.
We remind you that it is necessary to respect the sanitary measures in force in your place of stay and to follow the evolution of these measures. The following websites will inform you about the measures in place:
- Official Russian coronavirus website (hotline: 8-800-2000-112)
- For the city of Moscow (hotline: +7 495 870 45 09)
We kindly ask all Swiss nationals or residents in Switzerland, who currently travel in Russia, to register on the Travel Admin application.
For specific questions regarding the current situation, please contact the Embassy of Switzerland in Russia: moscow@eda.admin.ch
Services and visa
All consular services and visa support for residents of the countries listed below are provided by the Regional Consular Centre Moscow. Information can be found on the websites concerned:
