Switzerland now officially a Schengen member state
Switzerland officially became a member state of the Schengen area on 12 December 2008. The new regulations was applied at Zurich Airport with effect from 29 March 2009.
This move not only strengthens Switzerland’s integration into the EU, but also enhances security within the Schengen area and simplifies the movement of persons between Schengen member states.
The most noticeable changes for passengers is that they will no longer have to pass through passport control within the Schengen area, and some transit passengers at Zurich Airport will even be able to transfer to their onward flight without having to undergo another security check.
At the same time, the implementation of the Schengen Agreement means that passengers will move through two completely separated sections of the airport, namely a Schengen and a non-Schengen area.
Anyone wishing to transfer from one zone to the other will always have to pass through passport control. For this purpose the existing central passport control facilities have been expanded, a new non-Schengen corridor has been installed between the passport control hall and Dock B, a new transfer zone D has been installed in the non-Schengen zone, and Schengen bus gates B01 to B10 have been constructed.