Percentage of os Swiss citizens living abroad of all Swiss citizens.
Percentage of os Swiss citizens living abroad of all Swiss citizens. © FSO AS – STAT

Both the number of people emigrating and the type of emigration have changed. More and more Swiss nationals are moving to a foreign country for a limited period of time to subsequently return to Switzerland or to move to another foreign country. 

Increasing international mobility has created complex needs with repercussions for the services provided by the FDFA and the work of Swiss representations abroad. The FDFA supports mobility, assists Swiss citizens wishing to move abroad or return to Switzerland, and provides information for Swiss citizens abroad. In order to safeguard the rights and obligations of the Swiss community abroad set out in the Swiss Abroad Act and enable Swiss citizens abroad to stay in touch with Switzerland, the FDFA has modernised and optimised its comprehensive range of services worldwide.

Last update 09.10.2023

  • Portal for young Swiss abroad

  • Switzerland’s representations abroad offer nationals residing abroad a range of consular services.

  • How Swiss citizens abroad can exercise their political rights

  • The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) SwissCommunity represents and defends the interests of the Swiss Abroad and offers them a wide range of services.

  • The magazine for Swiss citizens living abroad provides regular information on changes in Swiss legislation and current affairs in Switzerland

  • There are currently 18 Swiss schools abroad, which are supported by the Swiss government based on the Swiss Schools Act and Swiss Schools Ordinance.

  • Information on notifications of departures and returns by residents' register offices to the FDFA via eVera, the electronic administrative network for Swiss nationals residing abroad.

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

  • The "Square of the Swiss Abroad" in Brunnen - a symbol of the Swiss homeland and a point of attraction for guests from all over the world.

  • Based on Art. 19 of the Act on the Swiss Abroad (ASG), the electoral communes and the FDFA inform each other of changes to the data relevant to the electoral register.

  • Get yourself informed about the implications of retiring abroad and the challenges that come with it.

Contact

Innovation and Partnerships

Consular Directorate CD
Effingerstrasse 27
3003 Bern

Phone

Helpline +41 800 24-7-365 / +41 58 465 33 33

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