What about for foreigners?

The free tests are for citizens, residents and most cross-border workers – i.e. anyone with compulsory health insurance in Switzerland.

Obviously, tourists and visitors will not have compulsory Swiss insurance – but can still get a test if they are from any EU/EFTA countries.

The reason for this is the so-called joint institution, under the Health Insurance Act (KVG), which cover the costs for tourists from the EU/EFTA states for health related matters when they are in Switzerland.

The costs are then later recouped from the tourists’ home countries.

Since 8pm on 26.11.2021, the following countries have been on the list of countries with a variant of concern: Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Belgium, Hong Kong and Israel. Anyone entering Switzerland from these countries must present a negative test result and quarantine for 10 days. This also applies to vaccinated and recovered persons.

Only people who are Swiss nationals or hold a residence permit for Switzerland or a country in the Schengen area can enter Switzerland from these countries.