What Health Rules Apply in Ethiopia for Swiss Travellers 2026?

Quick answer: For Swiss citizens travelling to Ethiopia, routine vaccinations should be up to date, hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for unvaccinated travellers, and yellow fever vaccination is recommended for most itineraries, except trips limited to Afar or Somali. Ethiopia requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for eligible travellers arriving from countries with yellow fever transmission risk or after a qualifying transit through one of those countries.

Malaria prevention is itinerary-specific. Risk occurs throughout Ethiopia below 2,000 metres, while Addis Ababa has no malaria risk according to the Ethiopian Public Health Institute. Travellers should arrange an individual consultation before departure, particularly if visiting lowland areas, travelling outside Addis Ababa, taking prescription medicines, or planning a remote safari.

Verification note: Last checked July 2026 — always confirm with official sources before travelling.

Vaccinations and health rules for Ethiopia: quick table

Requirement or recommendation	What it means for Swiss travellers
Yellow fever certificate	Required for travellers aged 9 months or older arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk, including a transit of more than 12 hours through a risk country, according to Ethiopian public-health guidance and CDC country information.
Yellow fever vaccine	Recommended for travellers aged 9 months or older for most Ethiopian itineraries. It is generally not recommended when travel is limited to Afar and Somali provinces.
Hepatitis A	Recommended for unvaccinated travellers of all ages travelling to Ethiopia.
Routine vaccinations	Check that routine immunisations are current before any international trip.
Malaria protection	Use mosquito-bite precautions and discuss preventive medication for risk areas below 2,000 metres. Addis Ababa has no malaria risk in the Ethiopian Public Health Institute notice.
Travel insurance	Choose cover for local treatment and unexpected medical evacuation, especially for remote travel or pre-existing health conditions.

Yellow fever certificate rules for Swiss citizens

Swiss nationality alone does not trigger an automatic yellow fever certificate requirement. The relevant factors are your full route, recent travel history and whether you arrive from, or have made a qualifying transit through, a country where yellow fever transmission risk exists. The CDC states that Ethiopia requires vaccination for travellers aged 9 months or older travelling from yellow-fever-risk countries, including airport transits or layovers exceeding 12 hours in a risk country.

The Ethiopian Public Health Institute gives the same more-than-12-hour transit rule and describes yellow fever vaccination proof as an entry requirement for travellers aged 9 months or older arriving from countries with yellow fever transmission risk. This means a Swiss traveller flying directly from Switzerland would generally not fall within the route-based certificate requirement described by these sources, but a connection in a risk country can change the position.

Check every stop on the booking, not only the final flight segment. A long connection may require immigration, an overnight stay or a change of airport, and the practical border assessment can depend on the itinerary presented. The CDC advises considering the complete itinerary, including airport transfers and long layovers.

Carry the original International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) if yellow fever vaccination applies to your route. The CDC states that a completed ICVP is valid for the life of the vaccinated person under the International Health Regulations; the certificate should record vaccination or a medical waiver. Keep it with your passport and travel documents rather than in checked baggage.

One Swiss travel-health source describes Ethiopia's administrative rule differently, referring to arrival within six days after leaving or transiting a yellow-fever-risk country and listing exemptions for certain transit passengers. Because this conflicts with the Ethiopian Public Health Institute and CDC wording, use the Ethiopian authority's more-than-12-hour rule as the primary reference in this guide, then confirm your exact routing with the Ethiopian embassy, airline and an authorised vaccination centre before departure.

The certificate itself should not be confused with the medical recommendation. Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for most Ethiopian travel even where Ethiopia does not require a certificate from your particular route. The CDC recommends vaccination for travellers aged 9 months or older, except that it is generally not recommended for itineraries limited to Afar or Somali.

Recommended vaccinations and when to arrange them

Book a travel-health appointment around six to eight weeks before departure where possible. Canadian government travel-health guidance recommends consulting a healthcare provider about six weeks before travel, while UK government guidance advises checking vaccine recommendations at least eight weeks before the trip. This lead time allows the clinician to review your records, itinerary, medical history and any multi-dose schedules.

Routine vaccinations

Routine immunisations matter regardless of destination. Ask your Swiss doctor or travel clinic to check whether your routine vaccinations are current, using your personal vaccination record and age-appropriate national schedule. The available travel-health guidance specifically emphasises keeping routine vaccinations up to date before international travel.

Hepatitis A

The CDC recommends hepatitis A vaccination for unvaccinated travellers of all ages travelling to Ethiopia. Discuss the vaccine with a travel-health professional even if your trip is short, because the recommendation applies to travel to Ethiopia generally rather than only to remote or rural routes.

Other vaccines and personal risk

There is no single vaccine list that fits every Swiss traveller. A clinician may assess additional vaccination or medication needs according to length of stay, accommodation, rural exposure, animal contact, planned activities, pregnancy, immune status and current outbreaks. The Canadian government recommends discussing additional vaccines or medicines based on personal health concerns and the destination.

Bring your vaccination record to the appointment. If yellow fever vaccination is medically unsuitable, ask the provider about the documentation and procedure for a medical waiver; the CDC notes that countries may accept an ICVP indicating a medical waiver where entry proof is required. Do not make this decision without medical advice, because yellow fever vaccination has individual age- and health-related considerations.

If your trip includes the Tana Lake Ethiopia safari region and highland routes, give the clinic your complete route rather than only listing Addis Ababa. Altitude, mosquito exposure, remoteness and access to care can vary substantially between stops, so itinerary detail affects practical health advice.

Malaria in Ethiopia: risk areas, medication and prevention

The Ethiopian Public Health Institute reports malaria risk throughout the year below 2,000 metres, with approximately 60% of cases attributed to Plasmodium falciparum and 40% to Plasmodium vivax; it also reports no malaria risk in Addis Ababa. UK government advice similarly states that malaria is common in areas up to 2,000 metres, while Addis Ababa is at approximately 2,400 metres.

Do not assume that a city stop protects you for the entire holiday. Popular tourist sites outside the capital can be below the risk threshold, and a safari, lake excursion or lowland transfer may change the medical recommendation. The Ethiopian Public Health Institute classifies areas with P. falciparum risk as requiring mosquito-bite prevention plus a suitable preventive medicine selected according to drug resistance, side effects and contraindications.

Ask a travel-health professional whether you need malaria chemoprophylaxis for your exact itinerary. The choice depends on destination, altitude, season, trip duration, medical conditions, pregnancy status, current medicines and the local resistance pattern; it should not be self-prescribed. The Ethiopian guidance lists atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine as options for areas with P. falciparum risk, subject to clinical selection.

Mosquito-bite prevention

• Use a suitable insect repellent and follow its product instructions.
• Wear clothing that reduces exposed skin, particularly during periods of mosquito activity.
• Use screened or air-conditioned accommodation where available and sleep under a mosquito net when appropriate.
• Continue to seek medical advice promptly for fever during or after travel, and mention your Ethiopia travel history. This is a prudent response to travel-related malaria risk and should not be delayed by assuming symptoms are minor.

Malaria is not the only mosquito-related concern. The CDC includes other non-vaccine-preventable diseases in its Ethiopia traveller information, so bite avoidance remains useful even where malaria tablets are not prescribed.

Food, water, altitude and other health precautions

Water-borne diseases are common in Ethiopia. UK government advice says to drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. Wash hands carefully, use hand sanitiser when soap and water are unavailable, and choose food that is thoroughly cooked and served hot; these measures are also recommended in government travel-health guidance for reducing gastrointestinal infection risk.

Schistosomiasis, also called bilharzia, is present in the vast majority of Ethiopia's lakes, according to UK government advice. Avoid swimming in freshwater lakes unless a qualified local health source confirms that the activity is safe.

Altitude sickness is a consideration in parts of Ethiopia, including Addis Ababa. Allow time to acclimatise where your itinerary involves rapid elevation gain, and ask a clinician about altitude advice if you have a heart, lung or other relevant medical condition.

Health risks can change during an outbreak. The UK government reported that the Ethiopian government and WHO declared the Marburg virus disease outbreak over on 26 January 2026 after no new confirmed cases were reported for 42 consecutive days, while also reporting an ongoing cholera outbreak in southern Ethiopia and new cases in the north-west. Check current official travel-health notices before departure because outbreak information can change.

Health documents, insurance and safari planning

Carry your passport, insurance details, prescription information, vaccination record and, where applicable, the original yellow fever ICVP. The original certificate is the document used as proof of yellow fever vaccination; copies may be useful as a backup but should not replace the original where an authority requests it.

Travel insurance should cover medical treatment and unexpected medical evacuation. This is particularly important if you have a health condition, are pregnant, or plan to travel beyond Addis Ababa, because medical facilities outside the capital are limited.

When comparing safari packages on SafariFind, check how far the itinerary is from reliable medical care, whether transfers enter malaria-risk areas and what emergency support the operator provides. Comparing the itinerary—not just the accommodation—helps you take the right documents and obtain advice appropriate to the actual route.

For entry paperwork beyond health rules, read the separate guide to Ethiopia visa requirements for Swiss citizens in 2026. Visa rules and health-document rules are separate checks, so satisfying one does not automatically satisfy the other.

Medication rules and what to pack

Bring enough essential prescription medicine for the trip and keep it in its original labelled packaging. Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether your medicines are legal and readily available in Ethiopia; UK government guidance warns that the legal status and regulation of medicines prescribed or purchased in one country can differ in another.

Pack a written medicines list using generic names, doses and diagnoses where relevant. Keep medicines, prescriptions and key health documents in your hand luggage, and carry a copy of the prescription separately. These are sensible preparation steps, but a clinician or embassy should confirm any medication-specific import requirement before travel.

A comprehensive personal medical kit is especially important outside Addis Ababa. UK government guidance says that only private hospitals in Addis Ababa offer a reasonable standard of basic care for minor health problems, that facilities outside the capital are extremely poor, and that travellers should carry a comprehensive medical pack when leaving the capital.

Do not add antimalarial medicines, antibiotics or altitude medicines to your luggage without professional advice. The correct choice can depend on contraindications, drug interactions, resistance patterns and your personal health history.

Health facilities and emergencies in Ethiopia

Medical access is uneven. UK government advice reports that private hospitals in Addis Ababa provide the most reasonable basic care for minor problems, while dentistry and ambulance services are scarce and medical facilities outside the capital are extremely poor. Confirm that your insurance provider will arrange or authorise treatment promptly if you need care.

The emergency ambulance number listed in UK government advice for Ethiopia is 907. Ask for an ambulance and contact your insurance company quickly if you are referred to a medical facility.

Before leaving Addis Ababa, tell your operator or travel companions about important medical conditions, allergies and medicines. Carry emergency contacts and know where the nearest planned medical facility is, especially on remote routes. The more isolated the safari or trekking itinerary, the more important it is to discuss evacuation cover and medical contingencies before booking.

Finally, recheck Ethiopia's entry rules, your flight transit requirements, vaccine advice and outbreak notices shortly before departure. The CDC notes that entry requirements should be assessed against the full itinerary, while Ethiopian public-health information makes clear that yellow fever documentation can be mandatory for travellers arriving from risk countries.

Plan your Ethiopia trip with health requirements in mind

A Swiss traveller's preparation should start with the route: direct Switzerland-to-Ethiopia travel has a different yellow fever certificate question from a route through a transmission-risk country, and Addis Ababa has different malaria considerations from lowland destinations. Once you have your flights and safari stops, take the itinerary to a qualified travel-health professional six to eight weeks before departure where possible.

For practical trip planning, you can also review Ethiopia safari safety tips for a 2026 trip alongside your medical consultation. Use official Ethiopian and Swiss travel-health sources for the final decision, because requirements and outbreak advice can change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Swiss citizens need a yellow fever certificate for Ethiopia?

Swiss citizens generally need a yellow fever certificate only when arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk or after a qualifying transit through one. Ethiopian public-health guidance and CDC information specify travellers aged 9 months or older and a transit of more than 12 hours through a risk country.

Is yellow fever vaccination recommended for Swiss travellers to Ethiopia?

Yes, yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travellers aged 9 months or older on most Ethiopia itineraries, even when the route does not trigger an entry-certificate requirement. It is generally not recommended for itineraries limited to Afar and Somali provinces.

Is the yellow fever certificate valid for life?

Yes, the CDC states that a completed International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis for yellow fever is valid for the life of the vaccinated person. Carry the original certificate when proof is required.

How long before Ethiopia travel should Swiss citizens get vaccinations?

Arrange a travel-health appointment around six to eight weeks before departure where possible. Canadian guidance recommends about six weeks, and UK guidance advises checking vaccine recommendations at least eight weeks before travel.

Which vaccines are recommended for Ethiopia?

Routine vaccinations should be current, and hepatitis A is recommended for unvaccinated travellers of all ages travelling to Ethiopia. A clinician may recommend additional vaccines or medicines after reviewing your health, activities, accommodation and complete itinerary.

Is there malaria in Addis Ababa?

The Ethiopian Public Health Institute reports no malaria risk in Addis Ababa. Malaria risk exists throughout the year below 2,000 metres elsewhere in Ethiopia, so travel outside the capital may require mosquito precautions and preventive medication.

Do I need malaria tablets for an Ethiopia safari?

You may need malaria chemoprophylaxis if your safari enters risk areas below 2,000 metres, but a travel-health professional must make the itinerary-specific recommendation. The Ethiopian guidance lists atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine as possible options for areas with falciparum risk, subject to contraindications and resistance patterns.

Can I swim in Ethiopia's lakes?

Avoid freshwater swimming unless current qualified local health advice confirms it is safe, because bilharzia is present in the vast majority of Ethiopia's lakes.

What water is safe to drink in Ethiopia?

Use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. Government travel advice identifies water-borne diseases as common in Ethiopia.

What medical documents should I carry to Ethiopia?

Carry your vaccination record, prescription information, insurance details and the original yellow fever ICVP if your route requires it. The ICVP is the recognised proof of yellow fever vaccination or a medical waiver.

What is Ethiopia's emergency ambulance number?

The emergency ambulance number listed in UK government advice for Ethiopia is 907. Contact your insurer quickly if you are referred to a medical facility.