Customs and immigration on a private flight to Switzerland
Switzerland is in the Schengen area but not in the EU customs union. Passport checks apply on flights from outside Schengen, but every flight from abroad, including from the EU, is a customs crossing and must use a customs airfield.
- Schengen
- Since 2008
- EU customs union
- Not a member
- Main entry airports
- Basel-Mulhouse, Geneva, Zurich
- VAT on goods
- From CHF 150
Two sets of rules
Yes. Identity checks at Swiss airports were lifted for Schengen flights from 29 March 2009, but Switzerland is not in the EU customs union, so customs and goods checks continue at its borders. The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG) requires cross-border flights to take off from and land at a customs airfield.
Immigration follows the Schengen rules: a flight from outside Schengen must land at an approved border crossing point. Customs follows Swiss rules: any flight to or from another country, inside Schengen or not, is a customs flight.
Swiss voters approved joining Schengen on 5 June 2005, and the agreement came into force on 1 March 2008. Short stays in the Schengen area are limited to 90 days in any 180-day period, under a common visa policy.
At Geneva every business and general aviation flight needs prior permission (PPR), which can be booked from five days before the flight, and commercial flights must use a handling agent. See private jets to Geneva and Zurich.
Sources:Federal Office of Police (fedpol): SchengenSEM: specific information on entering Switzerland or a country in the Schengen area (last modified 11 October 2025)Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG): cross-border flights and customs regulationsGenève Aéroport: PPR, air traffic coordination for general and business aviation
Airports for flights from outside Schengen
| Category | Airports | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A: international airports | Basel-Mulhouse, Geneva, Zurich | Schengen external border crossing points |
| B: regular flights from third countries | St. Gallen-Altenrhein, Bern-Belp, Lugano-Agno, Samedan, Sion | Border crossing points |
| C: low or occasional traffic from third countries | Grenchen, La Chaux-de-Fonds-Les Eplatures, Lausanne-La Blécherette, Locarno-Magadino, Payerne | Border crossing points |
| D: exceptional authorisation | Buochs, Dübendorf, Emmen, Mollis, Saanen, St. Stephan | Non-Schengen flights only with an exceptional authorisation |
From the State Secretariat for Migration's list of Swiss border crossing points, which carries no date. Customs categories are set separately by the BAZG, so check both before choosing an airfield.
Tell us the dates and passengers. A specialist replies with aircraft options and an all-in price, around the clock.
Customs on every cross-border flight
Switzerland is not a member of the EU customs union, so customs and goods checks continue at both its Schengen internal and external borders.
- Cross-border flights must take off from and land at a customs airfield (categories A to C). A category D airfield is possible only in certain cases.
- For category D, you must be resident abroad, or a Swiss resident on an aircraft cleared through Swiss customs, and everyone on board may carry only goods for private use within the allowances, or goods cleared with the BAZG's QuickZoll app before landing.
- Pilots must check each airfield's customs arrangements for arrivals and departures before the flight.
- On arrival from abroad the pilot signs customs declaration Form 11.33 and hands it to the airfield manager immediately after arrival, or sends it to the customs office. Form 11.50 covers flights abroad, and some airfields use their own electronic forms.
- Form 11.33 lists everyone on board, pilot and passengers, with name, place of residence, identity document number, date of birth and nationality.
- The aircraft itself may also be subject to customs formalities.
Sources:SEM: specific information on entering Switzerland or a country in the Schengen area (last modified 11 October 2025)Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG): cross-border flights and customs regulationsBAZG: Form 11.33, customs declaration for flights from a foreign customs territory
What to declare
VAT is due on goods with a total value of CHF 150 or more. Declare them on arrival, or clear them in advance with the QuickZoll app.
Bringing meat and dairy products in from outside the EU is prohibited.
The BAZG lists cash among prohibited or restricted goods. Tell us before you fly if you will carry a large sum.
Dogs, cats and ferrets have their own rules and entry airports: see flying private with pets.
Sources:BAZG: general information on duty-free allowances and value limitsFederal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG): cross-border flights and customs regulations
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A charter specialist will talk you through aircraft, airports and price, with no obligation.
Ask a specialistIs Switzerland in the Schengen area?+
Yes. The Schengen agreement came into force for Switzerland on 1 March 2008, and identity checks at airports were lifted from 29 March 2009.
Is there customs on a private flight from the EU to Switzerland?+
Yes. Switzerland is not in the EU customs union, so customs checks continue, and cross-border flights must use a customs airfield.
Which Swiss airports can I fly into from outside Schengen?+
Basel-Mulhouse, Geneva and Zurich, plus St. Gallen-Altenrhein, Bern-Belp, Lugano-Agno, Samedan and Sion, and the smaller border crossing points Grenchen, La Chaux-de-Fonds-Les Eplatures, Lausanne, Locarno and Payerne.
How much notice does Geneva need?+
Prior permission (PPR) can be booked from five days before the flight, and the PPR number goes in the flight plan. Commercial flights book through their handling agent.
Can I fly from outside Schengen straight to Saanen for Gstaad?+
Only with an exceptional authorisation: Saanen is a category D border crossing point. See private jets to Gstaad for the usual routes.
Fares, dates and rules on this page were checked on 19 October 2026. Official fares and schedules change every season; the operator or authority named in each source has the final word.
- 1.Federal Office of Police (fedpol): Schengen
- 2.SEM: specific information on entering Switzerland or a country in the Schengen area (last modified 11 October 2025)
- 3.Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG): cross-border flights and customs regulations
- 4.Genève Aéroport: PPR, air traffic coordination for general and business aviation
- 5.State Secretariat for Migration (SEM): list of Swiss border crossing points at the Schengen external border (undated)
- 6.BAZG: Form 11.33, customs declaration for flights from a foreign customs territory
- 7.BAZG: general information on duty-free allowances and value limits
Arrive with the paperwork done.
A specialist replies around the clock with aircraft options, the operator's name and an all-in price.