I've seen there are two lists of countries made by the Swiss government related to COVID-19: The one made by the SEM and the one made by the FOPH.
As far as I know, the list from the SEM contains countries that are considered safe

Here is the list itself: https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home...countries.html

And the list from the FOPH contains the countries that are NOT considered safe:
https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home...ml#-1016346764

From what I understood is that the list from the SEM is to decide which countries are under the ordinance 3 restrictions and the list from the FOPH is about the requirements I need to fulfill when I go to Switzerland (Negative test, stay in quarantine for 7-10 days and so on) Is this right? If not, what is the actual difference between both lists? Is one list more valid than the other? What would it mean if my country is on none of both lists? Does that mean I still need a visa D and a negative COVID test to go to Switzerland but I won't need to stay in quarantine when I arrive?

I'm kind of confused about this topic sorry haha

An entry Visa is completely unrelated to the restrictions due to C19. So if you need one, you need one.
PCR test is mandatory for anyone flying in.
Quarantine depends on the country you came from. Those countries are all listed on the links you showed.

YACT!

Yet another Covid thread!

Hi,

This is my take on it;


As you have correctly stated, there are two lists:

SEM list - https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home...countries.html

FOPH list - https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home...nde/liste.html

The primary list is the SEM list, if the country isn't on the list of allowed countries or 3rd country exceptions, assuming you are a national of that country, you cannot enter Switzerland without a valid work, residency or special occasion permit.

The secondary list is the FOPH list, this determines cases whereby you will need to quarantine.

A couple of examples:

If a country is on the SEM list, but also on the FOPH list, then you can come in from that country but you'll need to quarantine.

If a country is not on the SEM list, and not on the FOPH list, you cannot come in from that country.

If a country is on the SEM list, and not on the FOPH list, then no problem you can come in without quarantine

I hope this helps, the only caveat I'll throw in there is that if you're currently a citizen of a Schengen state then it's also ok to come in, but be careful which country you're arriving from as it may have quarantine requirements.

Also, having a permit e.g. D, C, B etc. only permit entry, it doesn't remove quarantine requirements per the FOPH list.

Simply put, the SEM list tells you if you are allowed to enter Switzerland, if you are the FOPH list tells you if you need to quarantine when you do.