In order for foreign aircraft that belongs to special categoriy (i.e. aircraft that does not, or only partially, or temporarily does not meet the airworthiness requirements in accordance with ICAO Annex 8) to be flown into and operated in Switzerland, a special authorisation is required for the use of Swiss airspace. Once all required documents have been submitted and your application has been approved, processing usually takes 10 working days.
The FOCA applies the following practice:
- The maximum authorisation period for the use of Swiss airspace is 2 months per calendar year, which can be split throughout the year.
- For technical flights, the Special Authorisation can be issued for less than a week.
- Generally, flight tests must be completed. They cannot be conducted in Swiss airspace.
If necessary, the FOCA can request additional supporting documentation and also reserves the right to inspect the aircraft before issuing a special authorization to use Swiss airspace.
Annual authorizations for Ultralight aircraft, which may apply for a special authorization to fly into Swiss airspace, must be mentioned on the relevant list and fulfill the requirements of the corresponding AIC.
A special authorisation for entry into Switzerland or for the use of Swiss airspace is not required for aircraft that have been registered in the European Economic Area with a permit to fly containing the following wording: «This permit to fly has been issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, Article 18, paragraph 2, letter (b), and certifies that the aircraft can be safely operated within the scope of the purposes cited below and under the stated conditions; it is valid in all member states».
The FOCA may, within the scope permitted by law, still grant exceptions in justified cases.
The FOCA will take legal action against any violation of the regulations.
ECAC Recommendations
Furthermore, in accordance with ECAC Recommendation INT S/11-1 dated June 1980, no special authorisation is required for entry into Switzerland for home-built aircraft that have been registered in ECAC states. However, this principle does not automatically apply to every type of operation. For example, in Switzerland, foreign home-built light aircraft are not permitted to carry out flights in accordance with VFR Night and IFR unless they meet the respective Swiss requirements.
Since Switzerland has adopted the ECAC/35-1 recommendation, which entered into force on 18 May 2016, aircraft in the category ‘antique/historical’ that are registered in an ECAC state are also exempt from the authorization requirement for the use of Swiss airspace. However, the recommendation only applies to originally factory-manufactured aircraft, previously holding an ICAO compliant Certificate of Airworthiness. A maximum of 9 people, of which a maximum of 6 can be passengers, may be transported. This rule has no transitional period and applies with immediate effect.
Note ECAC Recommendation
If an aircraft is not registered as home-built aircraft or “antique / historical” in a foreign aircraft registry, a special authorisation must be applied for.
Customs provisions
Under customs law, aircraft are regarded as goods (such as clothing, food or machinery). A distinction is made between domestic (duty paid) and foreign (duty unpaid) aircraft. Whether you may use an uncleared aircraft in Switzerland depends, among other things, on whether you are domiciled or resident in Switzerland or abroad. As a rule, persons domiciled or resident in Switzerland may not use an uncleared aircraft in Switzerland. This also applies to rented or borrowed aircraft. The special rules and regulations for persons resident abroad can be obtained from the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security at Use of uncleared aircraft.
Application for special authorisation to fly into Switzerland / special authorisation to operate aircraft in Swiss airspace
Applications submitted by e-mail must be accompanied by the following documentation in German, French, Italian or English:
- Airworthiness certificate, including any imposed restrictions, or
- Flight approval, including any special requirements
- Noise certificate (if applicable)
- Registration certificate
- Maintenance records incl. annual inspection
- Third party liability insurance policy
- Radio License
To renew the authorization, the above-mentioned documentation (if not already sent), must be submitted:
- Current special authorization with filled out self-declaration and corresponding log book
Please complete all required fields*
Further Information
Contact
Federal Office of Civil Aviation FOCA
Aircraft registry
Tel: +41 58 465 35 35
Fax: +41 58 465 80 48