BERN, SWITZERLAND – The Swiss government is revising entry rules for non-Schengen citizens, in line with European Union changes affecting entry, documents and visa regulations. Starting 21 August Switzerland will require non-Schengen visitors to provide official identity documents, such as passports, that have been issued within the past 10 years and that will be valid for three months after the traveler’s planned departure from the Schengen area.
The length of time visitors may stay in the Schengen area will change 18 October, changes that will primarily affect non-Schengen visitors, including those from the British Isles, who spend considerable time in Switzerland and other Schengen countries:
“In accordance with current Schengen rules, citizens of non-Schengen countries, regardless of their visa obligation status, may enter and remain within the Schengen Area without a residence permit for up to “90 days per 180-day period starting from the date of first entry.”
Starting on 18 October 2013, these rules will be changed so that stays within the Schengen Area without a residence permit will be possible for up to “90 days over any 180-day period.”
This change means that the 180-day period (i.e. reference period) will no longer correspond to 180 days following the date of first entry, but rather to the 180 days prior to the control date (border control upon entry into or departure from the Schengen Area, or police check within the Schengen Area). In other words, the duration of stay must not exceed at any time 90 days per 180-day period prior to the control date.
These new rules will not affect most travellers. However, they could have an impact in some situations (e.g. frequent stays in the Schengen Area). Stays that are permitted under the current rules may no longer be possible under the new rules.”
New Schengen travel rules, examples provided by Bern
Britain and Ireland in mid-July announced details of the mini-Schengen area they are creating jointly, reports the Financial Times. “Ireland and Britain have both opted out of the EU’s Schengen system, which removed internal border controls for most member states of the Union, in order to retain control of their own borders. But the two countries want to deepen the existing common travel area, which enables Irish and UK citizens to travel freely between both jurisdictions, in an effort to attract tourists and business travellers from fast-growing Asian economies.”