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Swiss under 26 - free entry to Paris public museums?

I'm planning my week in Paris in September, and as a Swiss citizen, I've been bouncing back and forth between elation and confusion. On some sights, museums list that EU citizens under 26 as well as EEA and special countries that have relationships with the EU/EEA like Switzerland obtain free admission to most public museums, yet others only list EU citizens under 26.

Does anyone have any idea if Swiss do indeed get free entry, or is this the one area in which my golden passport will not help me?

Thanks!

Posted by
7981 posts

Note that the issue is not passport but residency so if you are a resident outside the EU but carry a Swiss passport, you are not entitled to the free visits.

Posted by
29 posts

That's what I had initially thought, yet some sites simply say citizen of a nation, but not proof of residency is what they're looking for, and others do. It's quite confusing! Some people have said the entrance has just asked to see their basic ID card, and some haven't. I guess I'll just have to try where I may. Thank you for the input!

Posted by
7981 posts

The law is residency for these benefits but you can probably cheat with a passport if you hold a passport from an EU nation. The point is that taxpayers in the EU are paying for these sites and so get the special breaks. An American who holds dual citizenship is not paying for the resource.

Posted by
29 posts

Ah, I see, I see. Well, I'll try, but seeing as Switzerland is not part of the EU anyhow, I doubt it'll work! Couldn't hurt to try though, but I'm glad I nipped this in the bud so I can budget accordingly ahead of time. Thanks again - you've been helpful!