Switzerland and the EU

Switzerland, Liechtenstein and the EU form a common phytosanitary area, within which plant material can, in principle, be freely transported (no systematic border controls). However, in certain cases, legal restrictions apply; these are summarised on this page.

Movements between Switzerland and the EU

In principle, goods for which a plant passport is required (e.g. plants, see below) may only be imported to Switzerland or exported to the EU with a plant passport. Exception: if the goods are imported in your personal baggage, then a plant passport is not required.

For what goods is a plant passport required?

Plants and parts of plants (other than seeds) which are intended to remain planted, to be planted or to be replanted, regardless of the botanical species – for example, pot plants, plant arrangements in bowls, seedlings, cuttings, tissue cultures, bulbs, tubers, etc.
Seeds of certain species (see below)
Citrus fruits with leaves and peduncles
Wood obtained from Juglans (walnut), Platanus (plane) and Pterocarya (wingnut)
Plants and parts of plants not intended for planting (other than their fruits and seeds) of the following genera: Choisya (Mexican orange), Citrus (citrus plants), Fortunella (kumquat), Poncirus (trifoliate orange) and their hybrids, Casimiroa, Clausena, Murraya (flowering plants of the citrus family), Vepris, Zanthoxylum and Vitis (grapevine)

Further information on the plant passport and on goods for which a plant passport is required

Other plant material such as fruits, vegetables and cut flowers may be imported and exported without a plant passport.

Quarantine zones

From areas in Switzerland and the EU where a quarantine pest is present, certain goods may only be transported with a plant passport.

Further information on quarantine pests

Protected zone for fireblight

Apple trees, pear trees, quince trees and other fireblight host plants may only be moved into and supplied within the canton of Valais with a protected zone plant passport.

Further information on the protected zone for fireblight