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
Have a look at the new interactive map of the Swiss Ambassador’s Award Russia (SAAR)! This map highlights the Swiss heritage in Russia, vivid exchanges that have been contributing to both countries cultural landscape for more than 350 years. Click on the dots to get more information on a specific legacy. You will also find a red dot: this is the company Grand Tour, in Pyatigorsk, the winner of the SAAR 2020, awarded for its outstanding enhancement of the Ticinese architects Bernardazzi’s work in the Caucasus! Check the map, and give us your feedback, we are always eager to discover new Swiss cultural footprints in Russia!
Coronavirus: Current travel restrictions
Moscow, 23 November 2020
As of 29 October 2020, persons entering Switzerland from Russia will no longer have to undergo a quarantine upon arrival. For the latest information, please check the website of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).
On 15 August 2020, the air carriers SWISS and Aeroflot resumed direct flights between Switzerland and Russia. However, the restrictions to enter Switzerland from Russia are still in place. Please take the following restrictions into account when planning a trip to Switzerland or Russia:
Travelling to Switzerland
In view of the coronavirus pandemic, the Federal Council (Government) of Switzerland has decided to suspend the issuing of Schengen visas to third-country nationals as of 19 March 2020. 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 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
Swiss nationals and holders of a Swiss residence permit B or C; citizens of a of a Member State of the European Union; citizens of a Member State of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and from the United Kingdom are allowed to enter Switzerland.
Since 15 August 2020, SWISS and Aeroflot offer regular direct flights between Switzerland and Russia.
Please note: Some airlines are selling tickets to and from Russia for flights which are not yet confirmed. Before buying a ticket, you should check whether the flight can actually take place.
If you are a national or permanent resident of Switzerland, currently in Russia, and wish to be informed about the possibilities to travel to Switzerland via a destination in Europe, we kindly ask you to send an email to moscow@eda.admin.ch or to register at the Travel Admin application. You will be informed by email about the upcoming flights and other important developments.
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
In view of the coronavirus pandemic, 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 a government decree of 1 August, Swiss nationals and people with a residence permit for Switzerland are now excluded from the restrictions to enter Russia. They can enter Russia only if they arrive directly from Switzerland by airway.
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.
Foreign nationals are obliged to provide a medical certificate in English or Russian of a negative test for the coronavirus (PCR test) passed not earlier than 3 days before their arrival in Russia, or a medical certificate which attests the presence of immunoglobulin G antibodies. These certificates have to be presented at the airline's check-in counter at the airport of departure.
Foreign nationals entering Russia to start working must undergo quarantine for 14 days from the date of their arrival in Russia.
Due to the current situation, Swiss nationals may extend the validity of their residence permit or visa to Russia, if these have expired. To do so, please consult the nearest office of the Russian Ministry of the Interior.
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)
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:
