🇨🇭 Switzerland
How the 90/180 rule applies to Switzerland, plus the tools you'll want before you go.
Joined Schengen
2008
Currency
CHF
Timezone
Europe/Zurich
Calling code
+41
What counts toward your 90 days
Every day spent in Switzerland counts toward the same Schengen-wide 90-day allowance. Days in Switzerland are added to days in any of the other 28 Schengen countries when calculating the rolling 180-day window.
Entry and exit days both count as full days.
If you hold a Switzerland national long-stay visa or residence permit, the 90/180 rule does not limit your stay in Switzerland itself, but it does still cap your time in the rest of Schengen.
Nomading in Switzerland, specifically
US, UK, Canadian, and Australian passports get you 90 days visa-free. Indian and Chinese passports need a Schengen visa beforehand.
Who Gets Stamp-Happy at the Border?
Most nationalities can waltz into Switzerland for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa. This includes citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. They get a stamp on entry, and that's usually it. The clock starts ticking then. For citizens of countries like India, China, or many African nations, a Schengen visa is non-negotiable before you even think about booking a flight. You'll need to apply through the Swiss embassy or consulate in your home country, and the process can take several weeks. Be aware that ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, will be required for visa-exempt travellers from 2025. It's an online authorisation, not a visa, but it's another hoop to jump through.
The 90/180 Day Shuffle: Switzerland Edition
That 90-day limit within a 180-day window is the golden rule for Schengen Area travel, and Switzerland sticks to it. Don't assume you can just pop out for a day and reset the counter. Swiss border guards do check entry and exit stamps, especially if you've been in the Schengen zone for a while. If you plan to stay longer than 90 days, you'll need to apply for a residence permit before your 90 days are up. This is a much more involved process than a tourist visa and usually requires proving you have sufficient funds and potentially health insurance. It's not a simple visa run; it's a formal immigration process.
Where Nomads Land and What It Costs
Most remote workers gravitate towards Zurich or Geneva for their excellent infrastructure and international feel. Bern, the capital, offers a more relaxed pace and stunning medieval architecture, though it's a bit quieter. Expect to budget anywhere from CHF 2,000 to CHF 3,500+ per month for a single person, depending heavily on accommodation choices. Zurich will be at the higher end. Internet speeds are generally fantastic, reliably exceeding 100 Mbps in most urban areas. You'll find most places accept major credit cards, but having some Swiss Francs (CHF) on hand is useful for smaller purchases or markets. There's no weird local payment quirk like some countries; it's pretty straightforward.