Madagascar Visa for Swiss Citizens: What Changes in 2026?
Swiss citizens travelling to Madagascar for tourism should arrange the official tourist eVisa online or apply at an eVisa counter on arrival. Madagascar's official portal says the tourist visa is single-entry, permits a maximum stay of 60 days, and issues electronic authorisation no later than 72 hours after online registration is validated [1].
Quick answer: Swiss citizens visiting Madagascar for tourism should obtain a tourist visa through Madagascar's official eVisa platform before departure or apply at an eVisa counter on arrival. The official portal states that all nationalities are eligible for an eVisa, that the tourist eVisa is single-entry with a maximum duration of 60 days, and that electronic travel authorisation is issued no later than 72 hours after online registration is validated [1].
The current online and arrival-visa prices are published through the official portal's fee table, but the research version of that table does not display the amounts. Confirm the current fee before payment rather than relying on older third-party figures [1].
Last checked July 2026 — always confirm with official sources before travelling.
Madagascar visa requirements for Swiss citizens in 2026
Swiss passport holders travelling to Madagascar should plan for a tourist visa. The official Madagascar eVisa service says that all nationalities are eligible and that the online system currently supports the tourist visa [1]. The same official source also says that a visa application can be made on arrival at the eVisa counters [1].
This means the practical choices for a Swiss safari traveller are:
- Online tourist eVisa: apply through the official Madagascar government platform before departure, pay by card, and download the electronic travel authorisation [1].
- Tourist visa on arrival: apply at an eVisa counter after arriving in Madagascar. The official portal says that online and arrival-visa prices are the same [1].
The official portal currently describes the tourist eVisa as single-entry with a maximum duration of 60 days [1]. Some older or third-party pages describe stays of up to 90 days, but that conflicts with the current official eVisa information. Swiss travellers should follow the official portal's 60-day maximum unless Madagascar's immigration authorities confirm a different visa category in writing.
Madagascar visa types for Swiss travellers
| Option | Best for | Entry and stay information |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist eVisa | Travellers who want authorisation before flying | Single entry; maximum duration of 60 days according to the official portal [1] |
| Tourist visa on arrival | Travellers who do not apply online in advance | Available at eVisa counters on arrival; the official portal says the price is the same as online [1] |
The online system currently supports the tourist visa, not every possible visa purpose. Swiss citizens travelling for employment, residence, study, media work, research or another non-tourist purpose should confirm the correct procedure with Madagascar's diplomatic or immigration authorities before booking travel. The official Swiss representation page directs travellers to information about visa and entry matters, but it does not publish a Swiss-specific Madagascar tourist-visa fee schedule [2].
For trip planning beyond the paperwork, you can compare Madagascar safari packages on SafariFind, including routes that combine wildlife areas with the coast.
How to apply for a Madagascar eVisa from Switzerland
Step 1: Use the official Madagascar portal
Use evisamada-mg.com, which identifies itself as the only official online visa-application platform of the Republic of Madagascar [1]. Be cautious with websites that imitate the government service or add unexplained agency charges; the official portal specifically warns users about hacker websites [1].
The portal says travellers may apply between one week and six months before departure [1]. Choose dates that match your planned itinerary and check the permitted stay shown on the authorisation before travelling.
Step 2: Prepare your passport, card and contact details
Before starting, have your valid passport, payment card, email address and a trusted phone available. These are the items the official portal tells applicants to prepare before beginning the application [1]. Enter the passport details exactly as they appear in the document.
The research confirms that a valid passport is required, but it does not establish a specific minimum number of months of remaining validity or a required number of blank pages for Swiss applicants. Do not rely on a generic six-month rule unless the official portal, airline or Malagasy authority confirms it for your passport and travel circumstances.
Step 3: Complete the online registration
Create an account and provide your identity and travel information. The official portal describes the process as three steps: create an account, complete the identity and travel details, and pay by credit card [1]. Review every field before submitting, particularly your name, passport number, nationality and travel dates.
Step 4: Pay and save the authorisation
Pay the displayed visa amount by credit card through the official service. After validation, download the electronic travel authorisation and keep it available on your phone; printing a copy is also sensible for airline and border checks. The official portal says the authorisation may be printed or kept on a smartphone for police control on arrival [1].
Documents and photos for a Swiss tourist eVisa
The official portal specifically tells applicants to bring a valid passport, credit card, email access and a trusted phone [1]. The research does not provide a complete Swiss-specific document checklist or a fixed photo specification from Madagascar's government. The application itself may request a passport image or photograph, so follow the exact upload instructions displayed in the official portal rather than using an agency's checklist.
- Valid Swiss passport [1].
- Accurate identity and travel information [1].
- Payment card for the online fee [1].
- Access to the email account used for the application [1].
- Electronic authorisation saved digitally and, preferably, printed [1].
Do not submit altered, cropped or unreadable passport information. A mismatch between the application and the passport can create problems at airline check-in or immigration, even when an authorisation has been issued.
Madagascar visa fees for Swiss citizens
Madagascar's official eVisa portal states that online visa prices are the same as the prices paid on arrival [1]. However, the fee table supplied in the current research displays placeholder dashes rather than usable amounts for the 1–15, 16–30, 31–60 and 61–90-day columns [1]. Therefore, this article does not quote a Swiss-specific fee.
| Fee question | What the official research confirms |
|---|---|
| Is the online price different from the arrival price? | The official portal says prices are the same [1]. |
| How can the online fee be paid? | By credit card through the official portal [1]. |
| What is the current Swiss-citizen fee? | Confirm the current fee on the official portal before submitting payment because the published research table does not show a usable amount [1]. |
Do not use a fee quoted by a blog, travel agent or visa intermediary without checking whether it includes a separate service charge. If a third-party site offers an expedited service, compare its total with the government portal and verify that you are not applying through an unofficial website.
Madagascar eVisa processing time and validity
Madagascar's official portal says that electronic travel authorisation is issued no later than 72 hours after validation of the online registration [1]. This is not necessarily a promise that every application will be completed within 72 hours of the first form submission: validation, payment, corrections or technical issues may affect the timeline.
The official portal allows applications from one week to six months before departure [1]. Applying early gives you time to correct an error or contact the relevant authority if the application does not progress. Do not leave an online application until the day of travel.
The tourist eVisa is single-entry and has a maximum duration of 60 days according to the current official portal [1]. Check the dates and stay limit printed on your own authorisation, because the permitted period is controlled by the visa issued for your passport and trip.
For health planning, read the Madagascar vaccinations and health rules guide as a general planning reference, then confirm any vaccination requirement with an official health or immigration source for your route.
Arriving in Madagascar: what immigration may check
If you applied online, keep your electronic authorisation accessible on your phone and carry a printed copy as backup. The official portal says the document is used to fly and enter Madagascar and may be shown for police control on arrival [1].
Travellers using the arrival option should go to the designated eVisa counters, complete the application and pay the applicable fee. The official source confirms that visa applications can be made on arrival, but it does not publish a guaranteed airport queue time [1]. An online application is therefore the more predictable option when your flight schedule is tight.
Present the passport used in the application. If you renew your passport after applying, contact the Malagasy authorities before travel because an authorisation linked to the old document may not transfer automatically.
After immigration, your safari itinerary may include remote parks and internal flights. Read Madagascar safari safety facts for 2026 before finalising transfers and park arrangements.
Transit, extensions and overstays
Transit
The research does not provide a separate Swiss-specific transit-visa rule for Madagascar. If you remain airside during an international connection, check the airline's routing requirements and the rules of every transit country. If you pass through Malagasy immigration, collect baggage or change airports, confirm whether a Madagascar entry visa is required for your itinerary.
Extensions
The official eVisa source confirms a maximum tourist duration of 60 days but does not explain an extension process [1]. If you need to remain longer, contact Madagascar's immigration authorities before the authorised stay expires. Do not assume that an online tourist eVisa can be extended automatically.
Overstays
The research does not state the penalty for overstaying a Madagascar tourist visa. Treat the expiry date and maximum authorised stay as binding, and seek official immigration guidance immediately if illness, cancelled transport or another emergency may prevent departure.
Common Madagascar visa mistakes and rejection risks
- Using an unofficial website: the government portal identifies evisamada-mg.com as the only official online platform and warns about hacker websites [1].
- Relying on an old 90-day figure: the current official portal describes the tourist eVisa as a maximum of 60 days [1].
- Entering passport details incorrectly: copy the information exactly and check it before payment.
- Applying too late: the official target is no later than 72 hours after validation, not an unconditional same-day service [1].
- Assuming the fee from another website is current: confirm the amount shown on the official portal before paying [1].
- Saving the authorisation only in one place: keep both a digital copy and a printed backup [1].
- Confusing visa rules with health rules: review entry-health information separately and confirm requirements for countries visited before Madagascar.
Once your entry documents are in order, you can plan accommodation and wildlife stops. SafariFind's guide to Madagascar safari lodges for every 2026 budget can help structure that part of the trip.
This article is informational content, not legal advice. Madagascar's immigration requirements, fees and online services can change without notice. Swiss travellers should check the official eVisa portal and relevant Malagasy authorities again immediately before departure.
Last checked July 2026 — always confirm with official sources before travelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Swiss citizens need a visa for Madagascar?
Yes, Swiss travellers should arrange a Madagascar tourist visa either online through the official eVisa portal or at an eVisa counter on arrival. Madagascar's official portal says all nationalities are eligible for an eVisa and that the tourist visa is single-entry with a maximum duration of 60 days [1].
What is the easiest Madagascar visa for Swiss tourists?
The online tourist eVisa is usually the most predictable option because it can be arranged before departure. The official portal also allows tourist visa applications at eVisa counters on arrival [1].
How much is a Madagascar visa for Swiss citizens?
The current Swiss-specific amount should be confirmed on Madagascar's official eVisa portal before payment. The research version of the official fee table does not display usable figures, although the portal says online and arrival-visa prices are the same [1].
How long does a Madagascar eVisa take for Swiss citizens?
The official portal says electronic travel authorisation is issued no later than 72 hours after online registration is validated. This is not necessarily 72 hours from the first form submission, so apply early and check for validation or correction requests [1].
Where do Swiss citizens apply for a Madagascar eVisa?
Apply through evisamada-mg.com, which the Malagasy government portal identifies as the only official online visa-application platform [1]. Avoid unofficial sites that may add service charges or imitate the government service.
Can Swiss citizens get a Madagascar visa on arrival?
Yes, the official portal says tourist visa applications can be made at eVisa counters on arrival. It also states that the online visa price is the same as the price paid on arrival [1].
How long can Swiss citizens stay in Madagascar on a tourist eVisa?
The current official eVisa information states that the tourist eVisa is single-entry with a maximum duration of 60 days [1]. Older third-party sources may quote 90 days, but the current official portal should take priority.
What documents do Swiss citizens need for the Madagascar eVisa?
The official portal says applicants should have a valid passport, payment card, email access and a trusted phone, and should provide identity and travel information [1]. Follow the exact upload instructions shown in your application because the research does not establish a complete Swiss-specific photo or document checklist.
Can I apply for a Madagascar eVisa six months before travelling?
Yes, the official portal says travellers can apply between one week and six months before departure [1]. Choose dates carefully and verify the validity and permitted stay printed on the authorisation.
Is the Madagascar tourist eVisa single-entry?
Yes, the official portal describes the tourist eVisa as a single-entry visa with a maximum duration of 60 days [1]. A new entry may require a new visa, so confirm the rule before planning a side trip outside Madagascar.
