Checkpoints at Swiss borders where searches are most common this summer season.
In the heart of Europe, Switzerland continues to maintain its position within the Schengen Area, a zone that abolishes border controls at land borders among its member countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Liechtenstein. However, recent developments have led to temporary border controls being reinstated by some Schengen countries, such as Germany and France, affecting their borders with Switzerland.
Germany reintroduced temporary border checks on its borders with Switzerland and other neighbours in September 2024, aiming to combat illegal migration and smuggling. These controls are expected to remain at least until mid-September 2025. France, too, continues to carry out border controls, including at its borders with Switzerland and Italy, in response to increased terrorist threats and large mass events. These checks are selective but ongoing in 2025.
Despite these temporary measures, Switzerland itself has not reinstated internal border controls. Instead, the Swiss government is enhancing immigration and asylum procedures internally, including streamlining asylum processes and stricter screening of migrants in alignment with EU standards. Liechtenstein, being a Schengen member bordered by Switzerland and Austria, also participates in the overall open-border framework but may be affected by neighbouring countries' controls.
The overall Schengen framework permits free movement, but due to security concerns, countries like Germany and France have introduced heightened surveillance measures and temporary spot-checks rather than full border closures. These checks are random rather than systematic, and travelers should anticipate occasional document checks, but full border closures or routine passport controls are not standard at Swiss borders as of July 2025.
It is advisable to prepare for potential traffic slowdowns and bottlenecks at any border, even if checks are not systematic. Always carry a valid ID card or passport when traveling, as you may be stopped for a border check. The situation at the borders between Italy, Austria, and Switzerland remains unchanged, with no additional checks in place.
For more information on the appropriate travel documents for entering and exiting Switzerland, readers are encouraged to read "Should you use your passport or ID card when traveling to and from Switzerland?" and "Do I need a 'CH sticker' on my car when I leave Switzerland?". The Swiss government still commits to free movement of people with the EU under bilateral agreements, retaining the ability to invoke safeguard clauses if necessary, but no widescale border closures have been implemented.
In light of heightened security concerns and increased illegal activities, Germany and France have implemented temporary border checks at their borders with Switzerland in September 2024, aimed at combating illegal migration and smuggling. Although Switzerland maintains an open-border policy internally, it has intensified immigration and asylum procedures, focusing on streamlining asylum processes and stricter migrant screening in alignment with EU standards.
