Stay of up to 90 days in the Schengen area

New Zealand citizens do NOT require a visa for short tourist/visit or business stays in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. The existing Short-stay calculator remains a useful tool for planning.

As of 12 October 2025, upon arrival at an external Schengen border, New Zealand nationals will have their entry registered in the new Entry/Exit System (EES).

Please note: For a transitional "soft opening" period of six months following the EES launch on 12 October 2025 (i.e., until approx. April 2026), passports will continue to be stamped upon entry and exit. The electronic registration in the EES is done in addition to the stamp.

After the soft opening period, travellers are advised to use the official EES web service via the  "Travel to Europe" website to check their remaining authorised stay.

Hefty fines may apply in case of an overstay, as well as a prohibition to enter Switzerland and the Schengen area for several years. Border officials may ask for supporting documents such as proof of lodging or a return/round-trip ticket.

Bilateral Visa Waiver Agreement with Switzerland

Additionally, a bilateral visa waiver agreement between Switzerland and New Zealand allows holders of New Zealand passports to stay in Switzerland for up to 90 days, irrespective of time already spent in other Schengen countries. To make use of this agreement after a 90-day stay in the Schengen area, the following strict conditions apply:

• You must provide credible evidence of the time spent in Switzerland (e.g., accommodation receipts, transport tickets, ATM slips).
• To comply with the rules, you must remain in Switzerland for the duration of this separate stay and exit the entire Schengen Area directly from a Swiss external border (e.g., flying out of Zurich or Geneva to a non-Schengen destination). Travelling to another Schengen country after your 90-day stay in Switzerland is NOT permitted.

New Zealand citizens benefit from these short-stay visa waivers as long as they:

(a) do not intend to work;

(b) hold a passport valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of departure;

(c) have sufficient financial means and, if required, a return ticket.

Stay of more than 90 days in Switzerland

New Zealand citizens who wish to study, work or simply stay more than 90 days in Switzerland require a residence permit and need to contact, directly or through the future employer or school in Switzerland, the cantonal migration authority of the canton (states) where they wish to study, work or stay.

Regulations are set by the Cantonal immigration and labour market authorities, who are also responsible for decisions regarding stays of more than 90 days. This process does not result in a visa sticker in the passport, but rather in a document authorizing the individual to take up residency.

With this authorization, New Zealand citizens may travel to Switzerland using their New Zealand passport (which must be valid for at least 3 months) along with the residency authorization. The authorization must be obtained prior to entering Switzerland. After arrival, individuals are required to register with the competent cantonal authority at their place of residence within 14 days.

The Embassy is not involved in submissions by New Zealand citizen, hence the documentation can be submitted directly to the cantonal immigration authorities.

In case of employment with an international organisation in Geneva, Switzerland, with a headquarters agreement, the international organisation in Geneva will request the issuing of a Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA legitimation card through the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Office and to the other international organisations in Geneva, Section of Privileges and Immunities, upon arrival in Switzerland. Person travelling on a New Zealand passport can therefore travel to Switzerland without a visa or without assurance of residence permit in order to take up an employment with an International Organisation in Geneva.