COVID-19

Can I perform a PCR or antigen test at Genève Aéroport?

Yes, Genève Aéroport has a testing centre on premises. It is open 7 days a week and receives people by appointment.

• More information about the COVID-19 testing centre at the airport

I want to go to France, do I have to take a test?​

If you want to travel to France, you need to find out what the formalities are in France. Travel has been reopened, but the procedures from or to foreign countries differ depending on the vaccination of travellers and the health situation in third countries. Depending on the country, the obligations related to tests may vary.

In order to facilitate the border crossing and allow a considerable saving of time, the French customs ask the passengers arriving in France and coming from countries classified as "red" for the COVID-19 risk to pre-fill the data of the required form on their cell phone. The dedicated application is accessible here: https://passager.serveureos.org/

Find out about the formalities in force in France.

How do I know if a test is necessary to reach my destination?

Several countries and airlines require a negative PCR test within 72 hours and sometimes also require an antigen test performed before the flight. The choice of the type of test, as well as the validity period of the test, depends on the regulations of your destination or transit country. Beware: some countries, such as Great Britain, require a test even for vaccinated people!

Please get information from your airline before your flight.
Consult information about the COVID-19 testing centre at the airport.

Where can I find information on the risks or restrictions associated with my destination?

The list of countries that announce flight or passenger nationality restrictions is updated daily. It is important to check with your airline whether or not your flight is maintained.
The regulations governing entry into the country can change very quickly. For information related to access to countries and potential constraints currently in force, you can consult:

• the European Union’s official website for European countries
• the website of the embassy or consulate of your destination country

The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health has compiled a list of recommended sites to consult before travelling.

The website www.traveldoc.aero also provides current travel conditions and constraints according to departure and arrival airport.

I live in France, I fly to France via the French sector, do I have to take a test? And on the way back?

On the outward journey (Geneva-France flight):
From a sanitary point of view, the French sector is considered Swiss territory. If you fly from Geneva to France, even if you fly through the French sector, the airline will check at the time of boarding that you meet the current French travel requirements.

Currently (valid until 13.07.2021) all passengers over 11 years of age must, in order to enter France from Switzerland, bring with them either a proof of a complete vaccination or the negative result of a PCR test or an antigen test carried out less than 72 hours before departure.

On the return journey (France-Geneva flight)
The airline checks before departure to Switzerland that all passengers meet the conditions for entry into Switzerland.
Currently (valid until 13.07.2021), all passengers over 16 years of age must, in order to enter Switzerland from France, bring with them either a proof of a complete vaccination or a negative PCR test result (not older than 72 hours) or an antigenic test (not older than 48 hours). You will need to ensure that you meet the conditions to enter France in order to return to your home in France.

How do I know if I can enter Switzerland and under what conditions?

Consult Travelcheck, the Federal Office of Public Health FOPH site, if I have the right to enter Switzerland, and if so under what conditions.

Also consult the table of the FOPH which summarizes the conditions for entry into Switzerland (PDF).

Which passengers must register their details?
 
All passengers entering Switzerland by plane must register their details via the electronic personal data registration form.

More information

Which passengers must show a negative test to enter Switzerland?
 
All passengers entering Switzerland by plane who have not been fully vaccinated or who have not been infected with COVID-19 in the past six months must show a negative result of a PCR test or rapid antigenic test. Checks are done by the airline upon boarding.
 
After four to seven days in Switzerland, they will have to undergo a second test at their own expense, the result of which must be transmitted to the competent cantonal authorities.
More information

Children under 16 can travel without a negative test result. They are exempt from this obligation both on boarding and at the Swiss border.

Who are the passengers who need to quarantine when they arrive in Switzerland?
 
Since 20 September, Switzerland no longer maintains a list of countries at risk, imposing a quarantine.

I am a passenger who has stayed in a country where a variant of concern is circulating, can I enter Switzerland?

At present, there are no countries on the FOPH's list of countries at risk. As a result, there is no quarantine requirement for people entering Switzerland.

The list of countries at risk is maintained. If worrying variants reappear, countries may be included again. Here is the procedure if you are:
 

• Vaccinated / cured of COVID-19: you can enter Switzerland without undergoing a test or quarantine.
• Unvaccinated / not cured: you must show a negative result of a PCR test or a rapid antigen test and you must go into quarantine as soon as you arrive.On your arrival on Swiss territory, you must, within 48 hours, declare your arrival to the competent health authorities of the canton of residence or stay. In Geneva, the declaration is made to the cantonal doctor's service via an electronic form.

People in transit, that is, people who enter Switzerland only to cross it with the intention and the possibility of continuing their journey directly to another country, are not subject to quarantine. However, please check the restrictions for your destination country.

More information

I am a passenger who has stayed in a Schengen area country, can I enter Switzerland? 

• Vaccinated-cured passenger: no screening.
• Passenger not vaccinated-not cured: mandatory screening.After four to seven days in Switzerland, they will have to undergo a second test at their own expense, the result of which must be transmitted to the competent cantonal authorities. More information

I am a passenger who has stayed in a third country, can I enter Switzerland?
Fully vaccinated people who are able to prove their vaccination status can enter Switzerland from third countries outside the Schengen area.

Only travellers arriving by air who have not been vaccinated and who do not have the status of recovered persons remain subject to the obligation to undergo a screening test. Check on Travelcheck whether you are allowed to enter Switzerland, and if so, under what conditions.
More information

​Does the COVID certificate make it easier for me to travel?

The COVID certificate allows access to a number of venues in Switzerland - More information.

The COVID certificate also facilitates travel. However, it do not guarantee entry into a country. It is therefore imperative to find out about entry requirements before each trip by consulting the official website of your destination country.

I live in Switzerland:  Since July 9th, the Swiss covid certificate is recognised in all EU and EFTA states.
More information on the COVID certificate

I am staying in Switzerland: the European COVID certificate, which is recognised in Switzerland since July 1st.

Since 20 September, anyone who has been vaccinated abroad with a vaccine authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) (as of 20/09: BioNTech et Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca et Janssen Pharmaceutica SA), and who is resident in Switzerland or who enters Switzerland, will be able to obtain a Swiss COVID certificate. Not all WHO-recognised vaccines will qualify for a COVID certificate.

More information on certificates for people vaccinated abroad.

I was vaccinated abroad with a vaccine recognised by the European Medicines Agency, can I obtain a Covid certificate?
Yes, people vaccinated with a vaccine authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) can obtain a Swiss COVID certificate.

If you already have a digital EU COVID certificate or a certificate compatible with it, you do not need to apply for a Swiss COVID certificate. These certificates are recognised in Switzerland. 

Otherwise, you have to ask for a Swiss COVID certificate. More details here.

I was vaccinated abroad with a vaccine not recognised by the European Medicines Agency, can I obtain a Covid certificate?
No, only people vaccinated with a vaccine authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) can obtain a Swiss COVID certificate.
However, there are exceptions.

• Consult the list of exceptions.

How do I know if I can enter Switzerland and under what conditions?

Consult Travelcheck, the Federal Office of Public Health FOPH site, if I have the right to enter Switzerland, and if so under what conditions.

Then check that you meet the conditions to enter France.

I am a returning passenger from a country in the Schengen area, can I enter Switzerland and then go to France?
First, to enter Switzerland:

•  You must register your contact details via the electronic personal data registration form
• If you are a vaccinated-cured passenger: no screening.
• If you are an unvaccinated-uncured passenger: mandatory screening. Après quatre à sept jours en Suisse, deuxième test obligatoire, à transmettre aux autorités cantonales compétentes.  

Persons in transit, i.e. who cross Switzerland without stopping, are exempted from the obligation to present a test and an entry form.

econdly, to go to France, you must find out what are the mandatory formalities in France. Travel is reopened, but the arrangements with other countries differ depending on the vaccination of travellers and the health situation in third countries. These are classified by a colour code: green, orange and red. Requirements on the test/quarantine may vary.

I am a returning passenger from a third country, can I enter Switzerland and then go to France?
 
First, to enter Switzerland:

• You must register your contact details via the electronic personal data registration form.
• Fully vaccinated people who are able to prove their vaccination status can enter Switzerland from third countries outside the Schengen area. More information

Secondly, to go to France, you must find out what the formalities are in force in France. Travel is reopened, but the arrangements with other countries differ depending on the vaccination of travellers and the health situation in third countries. These are classified by a colour code: green, orange and red. Requirements on the test/quarantine may vary.

I am a passenger who has stayed in a country where a variant of concern is circulating, can I enter Switzerland and then go to France?

At present, there are no countries on the FOPH's list of countries at risk. Therefore, there is no quarantine obligation for people entering Switzerland.

The list of countries at risk is maintained. If worrying variants reappear, countries may be included again. The procedure is as follows:

First, to enter Switzerland: 

• You must register your contact details via the electronic personal data registration form or on the contact cards provided by the FOPH.
• If you are a passenger vaccinated / cured of COVID-19: you can enter Switzerland without undergoing a test or quarantine.
• If you are an unvaccinated / uncured passenger: you must show a negative result of a PCR test or a rapid antigen test. People in transit, that is, people who enter Switzerland only to cross it with the intention and the possibility of continuing their journey directly to another country, are not subject to quarantine.

Secondly, to go to France, you must find out what are the mandatory formalities in France. Travel is reopened, but the arrangements with other countries differ depending on the vaccination of travellers and the health situation in third countries. These are classified by a colour code: green, orange and red. Requirements on the test/quarantine may vary.

I am a passenger wishing to rent a car at Genève Aéroport before returning to France, is this possible?
 
Consult Travelcheck, the website of the Federal Office of Public Health FOPH, to find out whether you have the right to enter Switzerland, and if so under what conditions.
Then you can rent your car at the airport and you must find out what are the formalities in France.

I am a passenger arriving at Genève Aéroport, can I exit from the France sector, take the customs road towards France and thus avoid Swiss measures?

Airlines check that all air passengers meet Swiss travel requirements before departure to Switzerland. Even if you are travelling through the French sector, you will have to go through Swiss formalities on the plane as your destination is Geneva.

On arrival, you can then pass through the France sector, take the customs route and reach France. You will need to ensure that you meet the requirements before entering France.

• Consult the thematic FAQs Sector France

I am a passenger making a flight from France to Geneva. Going through the France sector, am I avoiding Swiss measures?

Airlines check that all air passengers meet Swiss travel requirements before departure to Switzerland. Even if you are travelling through the French sector, you will have to go through this formality on the plane as your destination is Geneva. You will need to ensure that you meet the requirements before entering France.

• Consult the thematic FAQs Sector France

I am a returning passenger, can I enter Switzerland to join another country?

Before entering Switzerland, consult Travelcheck, the website of the Federal Office of Public Health FOPH, to find out whether you have the right to enter Switzerland, and if so under what conditions

Passengers who only enter Switzerland to transit with the possibility of continuing their journey to another country are exempt from completing the entry and screening form.

People who transit through a Swiss airport and do not leave the airport before continuing their journey are exempt from the obligation to present a negative test and to fill in the entry form.




I am a returning passenger, I would like to rent a car in Geneva before returning to Europe, is this possible?
 
Yes, it is possible to arrive by plane in Geneva, rent a car at the airport before leaving immediately for Europe.
Passengers who enter Switzerland only to cross it with the intention and possibility of continuing their journey to another country are transit passengers. They are exempt from the requirement to take a test and complete the entry form.  
Before entering Switzerland, consult Travelcheck, the website of the Federal Office of Public Health FOPH, to find out whether you have the right to enter Switzerland, and if so under what conditions.

How do I know if my flight, to or from Geneva, is being maintained or cancelled?

Passengers are requested to contact their airline to find out the status of their flight or to ask any questions regarding their reservation. The arrivals/departures pages of the day and the ‘GVApp application also inform them of the status of their flight.

Where can I find information on the risks or restrictions associated with my destination?

The list of countries that announce flight or passenger nationality restrictions is updated daily. It is important to check with your airline whether or not your flight is maintained.
The regulations governing entry into the country can change very quickly. For information related to access to countries and potential constraints currently in force, you can consult:

• the European Union’s official website for European countries
• the website of the embassy or consulate of your destination country

The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health has compiled a list of recommended sites to consult before travelling.

The website www.traveldoc.aero also provides current travel conditions and constraints according to departure and arrival airport.

Are there any specific health measures taken by airlines? Is it mandatory to wear a mask?

After decision of the Federal Council, wearing a mask is mandatory from 15 August 2020 in commercial planes departing and arriving to Switzerland. This measure, already applied by several airlines for some time, concerns all scheduled and charter flights.
For additional measures which would be taken by certain airline companies, passengers are responsible for ensuring they are up-to-date with any modalities concerning their trip (temperature measurement before boarding, declaration of absence of symptoms, possible quarantine procedure on arrival, etc.).
Please contact your airline before your flight.

How much time in advance do I have to come to take a flight?

As it stands, and given the still low volume of passengers at Genève Aéroport, there is no difficulty in completing formalities before boarding, customs included.

It is not necessary to arrive more than two hours before take-off.

Can I check in my baggage in advance?

Until further notice, it is not possible to check in baggage 24 hours in advance as in normal activity. Online check-in is recommended, or if this is not possible, when the ticket office opens, i.e. two hours before the flight.

What are the possible destinations from Geneva and with which airlines?

To facilitate your search for information, please consult the page www.gva.ch/direct-flights, which will inform you of current destinations from Genève Aéroport.

What measures have been taken at Genève Aéroport against the Coronavirus / COVID-19?

At the request of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), Genève Aéroport has developed a detailed protection plan to be put in place to guarantee the health and safety of its employees, passengers and visitors. The plan is based on the Federal Council’s epidemiological and health guidelines as well as on aviation-specific recommendations from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). The Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) is responsible for ensuring that the relevant rules are correctly applied.
In this case, individual responsibility, hand hygiene, wearing of a mask and respect for social distancing as far as possible remain the watchwords in the light of the evolution of the pandemic.

• Social distancing and wearing a mask
  Since Tuesday 28 July 2020, the wearing of a mask is compulsory at Genève Aéroport. All public areas are concerned (terminal, lifts, shops, restaurants, etc.). This measure follows the decision of the Geneva State Council (24.07.2020) to require the wearing of a mask in all businesses and hand disinfection for anyone entering a facility or establishment open to the public. New procedures are applied to minimise contact with passengers.
  To respect the social distancing necessary in waiting areas, one seat out of two remains unavailable; stickers and floor markings indicate the maximum capacities of lifts and specific locations. Buses that carry travellers on the apron also operate with limited capacity during off-peak periods. In order to protect both employees and passengers, the counters are equipped with plexiglass, in particular in the following places: check-in, Visitors Centre, security checks, reception, GVAssistance reception.
• Flow and traffic in the terminal
  Markings on the ground with stickers and posts in the queues are a reminder of social distancing. Arrows on the ground precisely indicate the direction of passenger flow, in order to avoid crossovers as much as possible. Posters and loudspeaker messages remind the public of the health and safety instructions to be observed. Genève Aéroport staff and site partners ensure compliance with health measures.
• Hand hygiene and enhanced cleaning
  Passengers have access to disinfectant dispensers at key points (main terminal entrances, security checks, boarding gates, etc.). In order to avoid any risk of spreading, a professional cleaning service ensures the disinfection of stair handrails, door handles, lift buttons, switches, taps, reception desks, trays for objects at the passage of security and counters.
  Compliance with the measures recommended by the health authorities will largely depend on the individual responsibility of all. Violations of certain measures to combat the epidemic are explicitly listed as offenses and can thus be punished by fines. The fines will vary between 50 and 200 CHF depending on the offense and will make it possible to penalize people who, for example, do not wear a mask in public transport, in stations, at stops as well as in front of and in establishments and facilities accessible to the public. The implementation of the protection plan is also based on an important information system. Inside the airport, FOPH posters, messages and flyers are regularly distributed so that everyone has access to the latest information. The check-in screens display the hygiene and protection measures to be respected. It is up to everyone to consult the GVApp, Twitter or frequently asked questions (FAQ) on the gva.ch website before embarking on a trip, as the situation changes from day to day.

Are passenger traffic and departure flows changed?
 
Since 23 June 2021, the French sector for the processing of passengers has been reopened. Passengers go through the check-in, security and boarding process as in the past, and retrieve the usual shops and services.

In general, passenger traffic and departure flows at Genève Aéroport are unchanged.

Are the shops and restaurants at Genève Aéroport open?

In June, most of the shops and restaurants are open. At the beginning of July, almost all stores will welcome visitors.

In the current context, opening hours can change and are indicated directly at the points of sale.

Do I have to show a Covid certificate at the entrance to restaurants and cafés at Geneva Airport?

Following a decision by the Federal Council, all persons aged 16 and over must present a Covid certificate to enter restaurants and cafés in the landside area from 13 September 2021, including inside the Food Court area. The Covid certificate requirement does not apply to terraces (Food Court Terrace and Panorama Terrace) or to take-away restaurants.
More details

Can I accompany (or wait for) a relative who has a flight from (or to) Geneva Airport?

Yes, the terminal is open to passengers and accompanying persons.

The questions and answers listed  below are provided for information purposes only. Given the rapidly evolving situation, Genève Aéroport cannot be held responsible for the incorrect dissemination of information or the delay in updating it. Thank you for your understanding