SwitzerlandBenin: e-Visa

SwitzerlandBenin

Do Switzerland passport holders need a visa for Benin?

e-Visa

Yes. Switzerland passport holders need a visa for Benin, available online as an e-visa before travel.

An e-visa must be applied for and approved online before travel.

Source: evisa.bj (checked September 4, 2026).

Requiremente-Visa

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-19

Distance4,524 km, straight line (~5h 49m nonstop)

Visa-free access to Benin57 of 242 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? Benin passport holders visiting Switzerland: Visa required.

Visa-free alternatives near Benin

Switzerland passport holders can visit these nearby destinations without a visa in advance:

Other visa-free destinations for Switzerland passport holders

See all Switzerland destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do Switzerland passport holders need a visa for Benin?

Yes. Switzerland passport holders need a visa for Benin, available online as an e-visa before travel.

How far is Benin from Switzerland?

About 4,524 km in a straight line, roughly ~5h 49m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in Benin?

West African CFA franc (XOF).

What is the emergency number in Benin?

112 / 117 / 118.

What time zone is Benin in?

Porto-Novo (UTC+1).

What is the nearest airport to Porto-Novo?

Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport (COO), about 31 km away.

How many countries can enter Benin without a visa?

57 of the 242 nationalities this site tracks can enter Benin visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

What nearby countries can Switzerland passport holders visit without a visa instead of Benin?

São Tomé and Príncipe, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Angola.

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About Switzerland

Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked country located at the intersection of Central, Western, and Southern Europe. It is bordered by Germany to the north, France to the west, Austria and Liechtenstein to the east, and Italy to the south. Switzerland is geographically divided among the Swiss Alps, the Swiss Plateau, and the Jura Mountains; the Alps cover most of the country's territory, whereas the majority of its 9 million people are concentrated on the plateau, which hosts many of the largest cities and economic centres, including Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern, Lausanne, Winterthur, and Lucerne.

CapitalBern

RegionWestern Europe

Population9.1M

Area41,284 km²

CurrencySwiss franc (1 USD ≈ 0.82 CHF)

LanguagesFrench, Swiss German, Italian, Romansh

Calling code+41

Drives on theright

TimezoneZurich (UTC+2)

Nearest airportBern Airport (BRN), 5 km

Emergency number112 / 117 / 118 / 140 / 1414 / 144 / 145

UNESCO sites14

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$114,769 (2025)

Tourist arrivals11.8M (2019)

Climate in Bern

Warmest August, coolest January, driest January, sunniest July. Best time to visit: July.

Monthly climate normals for Bern, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	5.5°C	-2.5°C	35mm	221h
February	9.6°C	0.9°C	114mm	185h
March	9.6°C	0°C	68mm	270h
April	17.2°C	5.1°C	40mm	345h
May	17.7°C	7.2°C	94mm	330h
June	19.9°C	11.3°C	177mm	305h
July	23.9°C	14°C	79mm	385h
August	24.1°C	14.2°C	131mm	320h
September	20.2°C	10.7°C	53mm	299h
October	12.5°C	5.2°C	183mm	191h
November	8.9°C	1.1°C	40mm	205h
December	4.2°C	-1.5°C	122mm	128h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

Switzerland is a mountainous country known globally for its neutrality, democracy, and almost-legendary affluence: Switzerland has one of the highest standards of living in the world, and prices to match.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Abbey of Saint Gall
Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe
Glarus thrust
Jungfrau-Aletsch protected area
La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning
Lavaux
Monte San Giorgio
Monte San Giorgio site fossils
Old City of Bern
Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes

Upcoming public holidays

November 1, 2026Allerheiligen

December 8, 2026Mariä Empfängnis

December 25, 2026Weihnachten

Full source list on About.

About Benin

Benin, officially the Republic of Benin, formerly known as Dahomey, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso to the northwest, and Niger to the northeast. The majority of its population lives on the southern coastline of the Bight of Benin, part of the Gulf of Guinea in the northernmost tropical portion of the Atlantic Ocean. The capital is Porto-Novo, and the seat of government is in Cotonou, the most populous city and economic capital. Benin covers an area of 112,622 km2 (43,484 sq mi), and its population in 2026 was estimated to be approximately 15 million. It is a tropical country with an economy heavily dependent on agriculture and the exports of palm oil and cotton.

CapitalPorto-Novo

RegionWestern Africa

Population14.8M

Area112,622 km²

CurrencyWest African CFA franc (1 USD ≈ 584.37 XOF)

LanguagesFrench

Calling code+229

Drives on theright

TimezonePorto-Novo (UTC+1)

Nearest airportCotonou Cadjehoun International Airport (COO), 31 km

Emergency number112 / 117 / 118

UNESCO sites4

Income levelLower middle income

GDP per capita$1,658 (2025)

Tourist arrivals337K (2019)

Climate in Porto-Novo

Warmest March, coolest August, driest January, sunniest December. Best time to visit: January, February, March, April, August, November, December.

Monthly climate normals for Porto-Novo, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	33.9°C	21.9°C	3mm	313h
February	34.8°C	23.9°C	10mm	300h
March	32.4°C	25.7°C	62mm	280h
April	32.1°C	25.3°C	60mm	283h
May	31.2°C	25°C	140mm	296h
June	29°C	23.7°C	331mm	221h
July	27.7°C	23.2°C	483mm	250h
August	28.3°C	22.5°C	24mm	310h
September	28.7°C	23.4°C	208mm	241h
October	29.4°C	23.5°C	197mm	282h
November	31°C	24.4°C	112mm	310h
December	31.5°C	24.4°C	42mm	318h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

Benin is a country in West Africa. You'll find culture through a large collection of palatial ruins and temples of the once powerful Kingdom of Dahomey (1800s–1894). Moreover, Benin is the birthplace of Vodun (Voodoo) and all that goes with it. Vodun is the official religion of the country, and an important part of the life of ordinary Beninese. Many important tourist sites are linked to Vodun or the slave trade. The national parks of Benin are well worth a visit for their wildlife. It is also one of the most stable and safest countries in the region. With its rich history, vibrant culture, protected wildlife, Grand Popo ocean beach, and artisan market in Se, Benin is one of the best kept tourist secrets in West Africa.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Koutammakou
Royal Palace Museum
Royal Palaces of Abomey
W-Arly-Pendjari Complex

Upcoming public holidays

October 26, 2026Armed Forces Day

November 1, 2026All Saints' Day

November 30, 2026National Day

Full source list on About.