ZURICH – Most travellers entering Switzerland by land will no longer need to show passports as of yesterday after the Alpine nation opened its borders to all neighbouring European Union countries.
Switzerland borders France, Germany, Italy and Austria.
It is the 25th country to scrap routine passport controls as part of the Schengen club of European states.
However, authorities said that because Switzerland, which is not a member of the European Union, remained outside the bloc’s customs zone, border guards would continue to make spot customs checks in which some travellers could be required to present identification.
According to the European Commission, about 900,000 EU citizens live and work in Switzerland. The commission says many more EU citizens cross Switzerland’s borders on a regular basis, often commuting to work in Swiss cities such as Geneva and Basel from parts of France or Germany where housing is cheaper.
In addition to opening borders to neighbouring countries, Swiss authorities will share information with other Schengen states on crime and on asylum applications under the Schengen-related Dublin agreement.
Travellers to Switzerland with passports from outside the Schengen area will require a visa, which will enable them to gain entry to all 25 Schengen member countries.
Swiss voters voted in favour of signing up to the Schengen and Dublin accords in 2005.
However, they have rejected membership of the European Economic Area, which could have paved the way for eventual EU membership. – ( Reuters)