On the 12th October 2025 European Countries started introducing a new authentication system for visitors entering or leaving something called the “Schengen Area”. This means all countries that are members of the European Union, except Ireland. The Area also includes some other countries, such at Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, that are not EU members but have nonetheless agreed to participate in the abolition of internal border controls throughout the Schengen Area.
America and the United Kingdom are not in the Schengen Area and their citizens must therefore comply with its new entry rules when travelling into it.
This means that if you a visiting Switzerland for any purpose you will need to go through an additional entry process. They will still need to see your passport, as at present, but you will also need to have another picture taken, together with your fingerprints. There is a questionnaire, too. Some of the questions will need to be answered carefully by anyone entering for the purpose of an Assisted Voluntary Death. You will need, for example, to demonstrate that you have got a return ticket.
For an example of the process and what the form looks like, there is a YouTube clip (lasting three minutes) viewable at “Simon Calder Schengen Visa”.
The introduction of this new system will take some time. It is already in full use at places like Prague, where Simon’s little film was shot, but it is not expected to be widespread until April 2026. Then it will compulsory as the “ETIAS system” from October 2027 onwards.
