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Visa requirements · updated Aug 2026

Do Ethiopia citizens need a visa for Switzerland?

Visa required

Ethiopia citizens need a visa to enter Switzerland. Apply in advance at an embassy or visa centre.

VISAXSAug 2026
Visa required
Ethiopia → Switzerland
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Everything for your trip to Switzerland

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Ethiopia vs Switzerland: passport comparison

Ethiopia

12

visa-free countries

Global rank: #182 · mobility 70.2

Switzerland

122

visa-free countries

Global rank: #16 · mobility 170.7
10

countries both Ethiopia and Switzerland can enter visa-free together

Ethiopia + Switzerland: passport compatibility

28%

of the world — where both passports have the same visa access

Where Ethiopia and Switzerland travel together — by entry type:

10 both visa-free
16 both visa on arrival
16 both e-visa / eTA
13 both need a visa
142 access differs

Where Ethiopia and Switzerland can travel visa-free together

Travelling as a pair with two different passports? Here is the full list of countries where BOTH of you can enter without a prior visa — plus where your access differs.

Both visa-free (10)

Sort by max stay or the destination's passport strength (tap a header), and filter by region.

Only Ethiopia is visa-free (2)

Your odds of getting the visa: Ethiopia → Switzerland

Visa guides tell you whether a visa is required. This block answers the second question — will you get it. Figures come from the European Commission's official 2025 statistics, broken down per country pair.

26,6%
of Switzerland visa applications refused in Ethiopia
+12,1 pp above the Schengen average (14.5%) — refused more often than average
+2.9 pp year-over-year: 2024 was 23.7%, now 26.6%
1,210applications filed
805visas issued
322refusals
#24strictest of 118 countries
Where Switzerland visa applications are filed: Addis Abeba

The Commission counts applications by where they were filed — at consulates located in Ethiopia — rather than by the applicant's nationality. For most countries these nearly coincide, but applications filed there by other nationals are included too. 2025 data. Source: European Commission, DG HOME

How the entry rule changed: Ethiopia → Switzerland

We keep our own archive of visa-rule snapshots and diff them against each other. Here is what changed over the observed period.

The Ethiopia → Switzerland rule itself held steady over the observed period. The context around it did move:

3rule changes for the Ethiopia passport, 2 of them easing
July 2024 — June 2026our archive observation window

Comparison is built from our own dataset snapshots; the date marks when we recorded the change, not the official decision date. See all changes →

Switzerland: good to know

Bern

Capital

Swiss Franc (CHF)

Currency

Central European Time (UTC+1)

Time zone

+41

Calling code

C, J

Power plug

230V / 50Hz

Voltage

Right-hand

Driving side

Where else Ethiopia goes visa-free

Check another route

Documents you'll usually need for Switzerland

The usual basics for the trip. Always confirm exact requirements with the embassy or consulate.

Valid passport

Valid at least 6 more months

Return / onward ticket

Proof you will leave the country

Proof of funds

Enough money for your stay

Accommodation

Hotel booking or an invitation

Travel insurance

Recommended, sometimes required

Visa

Obtained at the embassy in advance

Frequently asked

Do Ethiopia citizens need a visa for Switzerland?
Ethiopia citizens need a visa to enter Switzerland. Apply in advance at an embassy or visa centre.
Which passport is stronger — Ethiopia or Switzerland?
The Switzerland passport is stronger: 122 visa-free countries versus 12. Global rank: Ethiopia #182, Switzerland #16.
Where can Ethiopia and Switzerland citizens travel together visa-free?
Both passports get visa-free access to 10 of the same countries.
What documents do I need for Switzerland?
Usually: a valid passport (6+ months), a return ticket, proof of funds and accommodation. Plus a visa obtained from the embassy in advance. Always confirm exact requirements with the embassy.
Can visa requirements change between Ethiopia and Switzerland?
Yes, visa rules change periodically. This data is current as of Aug 2026 — always confirm with the embassy before you travel.

Ethiopia passport ranking

Where else the Ethiopia passport can take you and how it ranks worldwide.

View the passport