When crossing the border to enter and leave the Schengen area, as well as when travelling within the Schengen area (including crossing local borders between the canton of Geneva and the departments of Ain and Haute-Savoie), it is essential to carry an identity document recognised by the country of entry (e.g. passport). Unless specifically exempted, any person who is neither a national of a Member State of the European Economic Area nor a Swiss national is also required to present a valid residence permit (residence/settlement permit from a Schengen country or passport with a valid Schengen visa). Failure to do so may result in the person being refused entry by the country concerned.

The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs legitimation card and the special residence permit issued by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs are residence permits that allow free travel to and within the Schengen area (see https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/document/download/94241914-26f6-464d-be28-c601d8ded4d5_en).

Since Sunday, 12 October 2025, a new computerised system (the Entry/Exit System or EES) is in place for third-country nationals crossing the external borders of the Schengen area for short stays (up to 90 days per 180-day period): upon entry into and exit from the Schengen area, a digital record of their biometric data and travel details is gradually replacing the entry/exit stamp in their passports.

The EES will be in force throughout the Schengen area in April 2026.

The following persons are not affected by the entry into force of the EES:

- holders of long-stay visas issued by Schengen States
- holders of residence permits issued by Schengen States (including legitimation cards issued by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and special residence permits issued by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)

If the data has been recorded in EES despite the presentation of residence permits, this will not have any consequences provided that a request for deletion/update is made without delay. In this case, the Host State Relations service must be notified.

Nationals of countries outside the European Economic Area who are awaiting the issue of their legitimation card or special residence permit must ensure that their Schengen long-stay visa (type D) is valid for multiple entries and remains valid during their travels. However, it is still possible that, when crossing the external border of the Schengen area, an entry/exit stamp may be affixed to their passports, as well as to those of holders of legitimation cards or special residence permits, without this having any impact on their right of residence in the Host States.

In the event of difficulties relating to the recognition of documents during travel, the authorities responsible for external border control within the Schengen area may be asked to contact the following numbers:

- for Switzerland, the Diplomatic Security Brigade, tel. no. +41 22 427 58 30 (until midnight) or tel. no. +41 22 427 92 20 (24 hours a day);

- for France, the Protocol of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, tel. no. +33 (0)1 53 69 30 20 (diplomatic privileges and immunities) / +33 (0)1 53 69 37 69 (consular privileges and immunities), on working days and during working hours.

For more information on EES, see also: https://home.web.cern.ch/news/official-news/cern/schengen-area-launch-ees-entryexit-system-12-october-2025