The Swiss government has officially lifted travel restrictions that had previously limited movement to and from several major Iraqi cities, a decision welcomed by Iraqi authorities as a positive development for bilateral relations and mobility between the two countries.
According to Iraqi government statements, the decision affects travel to key destinations including Baghdad, Basra, Najaf al-Ashraf, Babil, Karbala and the Kurdistan Region restrictions that had been in place for more than three decades. The move was described as stemming from ongoing diplomatic cooperation between the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reflecting increasing confidence in the security and stability of Iraqi urban centers. rudaw.net
The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the Swiss decision, noting that it “represents a positive step toward strengthening bilateral relations and expanding opportunities for cooperation across various fields.” rudaw.net
This announcement aligns with broader efforts to deepen diplomatic and economic engagement between Switzerland and Iraq following recent milestones such as the reopening of the Swiss embassy in Baghdad in 2024 — the first time in over 30 years that Switzerland established a full diplomatic mission in Iraq. eda.admin.ch
For business leaders and travelers, this development signals evolving opportunities for mobility, investment, trade missions, and people-to-people exchange between Switzerland and Iraq.
