Swiss nationals living abroad

We provide information on services for Swiss citizens abroad, your rights and obligations, and how you can continue to stay in touch with Switzerland.

Services

Contact the responsible Swiss representation for identity papers, civil status, registration and deregistration, matters of civil status, etc..

Political rights

Information for the Swiss Abroad on the conditions to participate in popular votes at federal level and in elections to the National Council.

Statistics on the Swiss Abroad

Our statistics provide information on the most popular emigration destinations and the largest Swiss communities abroad.

As you might expect in a bustling city such as Hong Kong, Asia's World City, the Swiss Community here consists of many successful and hard-working business people, mostly employed in the service industry. Many Swiss in Hong Kong work in finance, trade, retail and in the hospitality industry.

In the end of 2010, over 1'700 Swiss nationals were registered with this Consulate General, making Hong Kong the city with the most Swiss inhabitants in China by far. The Swiss community has been steadily growing over the last years and is expected to increase even more in the future.

Most of the Swiss stay in Hong Kong for a couple of years only. Often times they have been transfered here by their company and later move on to another place all over the world or go back to Switzerland. It is estimated that a turnover of the Swiss colony takes place every four years with rather few persons staying much longer.

The staff of the Consulate General of Switzerland is very happy to assist the Swiss Community in every possible way. We encourage the Swiss citizens in this consular district to play an active role in the "Swiss life" abroad. Join the Swiss Association, attend Swiss events such as our national day, be active within the local Swiss Chamber of Commerce and stay in touch with the Consulate General of Switzerland at all times.

Please read about your respective topics of interest by clicking on the links below:

Network Switzerland

Do you want to promote your homeland "Switzerland" at your living place abroad? This year Switzerland Tourism and the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (ASO) have concluded a partnership agreement: Register now to the Network Switzerland and receive a free promotional kit.

www.mySwitzerland.com/aso

Organisation of the Swiss Abroad

Do you know this organisation yet?

The Consulate General is responsible for the Swiss community living in the provinces of Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and the municipality of Shanghai. The Swiss living in and around Shanghai have regular occassions to meet and socialize at various events organised by Swiss organisations in the city. There are currently about 1000 citizens registered at our Consulate General, most of them in Shanghai itself, which makes it a lively and interesting community to be part of.

Find out more about the latest events!

The Consulate General is responsible for the Swiss community living in the provinces of Guangdong, Fujian, Hainan, Hunan, Jiangxi and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. There are currently about 200 Swiss citizens registered at our Consulate General, most of them in the Guangdong Province. Although, the Swiss community is relatively small within our consular area, it is our concern to propose, together with our partners, various activities and events to the Swiss citizens.

Find out more about the latest events here

Alongside various Swiss associations abroad, the OSA promotes relations among Swiss nationals and between the latter and their home country. It represents their interests in Switzerland, publishes the periodical «Swiss Review» and provides a broad range of services (e.g. youth exchange programmes, emergency assistance fund).

Organisation of the Swiss Abroad