Switzerland · 4 rules · 2 calculators
How many days can you spend in Switzerland?
It depends on why you’re there. Visiting from outside the EU, you can spend 90 days in any 180 in the Schengen area — Switzerland is in it, though not in the EU. For tax, 30 days’ stay while working, or 90 without working, can make you resident. A B or C permit ends after 6 months abroad if you leave without deregistering.
Visas and stays
How long can you stay in Switzerland as a visitor?
Switzerland is in the Schengen area, though not in the EU: visitors from outside the EU count their days anywhere in the area together, towards one limit of 90 days in any 180. EES records every entry and exit.
Tax residency
Tax residency in Switzerland: 30 or 90 days
How many days can you spend in Switzerland before you’re tax resident? Fewer than 30 if you work there, fewer than 90 if you don’t — and a temporary break doesn’t interrupt the stay. Living there intending to stay makes you resident whatever the days.
Residence permits
Living in Switzerland: 6 months away on a B or C permit
Short visits back don’t stop the clock. You can ask to keep a C permit for up to 4 years abroad, before the 6 months run out.
Day calculators for Switzerland
Switzerland: questions and answers.
Is Switzerland in Schengen?
Yes: Switzerland has been in the Schengen area since 2008, when checks at its borders with the other Schengen countries were abolished. It isn’t in the EU.
Do days in Switzerland count towards the Schengen 90 days?
Yes. Switzerland is outside the EU but inside the Schengen area, so days there count towards 90 in any 180 with the other Schengen countries.
How long can I be away from Switzerland on a B permit?
6 months: past that, if you left without deregistering, the permit expires — and short visits back don’t interrupt the count.
How long can I stay in Switzerland as a UK citizen?
As a visitor, the same as anyone from outside the EU: 90 days in any 180 across the 29 Schengen countries together, Switzerland included. Since EES, your entries and exits are recorded at the border instead of stamped in your passport.
How many days can you spend in Switzerland? FlySee counts them for you.
Track days in every country and know the date you can stay until.
- Counts your Schengen days automatically, in the background
- Shows the date you can stay until, and “Next entry from …” when you’re out
- Logs every day you’re in Switzerland and abroad, automatically, and rebuilds past trips from your photos
- Exports your stays with dates as PDF, Excel or CSV — for your tax return or your adviser
- Free to download
- free trial
- no account
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Sources
Switzerland and the Schengen area
EES (Entry/Exit System)
- European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs — Entry/Exit System (EES)
- GOV.UK — EU Entry/Exit System: guidance for British travellers
- Swedish Police Authority — The Entry Exit System (children, data storage, days left)
- European Union — Entry/Exit System: check how long you can stay
- European Union — Entry/Exit System: the Travel to Europe mobile app
- Frontex — Travel to Europe app
FlySee counts days; it doesn’t give tax advice. Whether you’re resident is for you and your adviser.
FlySee counts days; it doesn’t give immigration advice. Whether you qualify is for you and your adviser.
FlySee counts days; it doesn’t give legal advice. Whether you can stay is the border guard’s call.