Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA

Services for Swiss nationals abroad

The local Swiss representation is the first point of contact for Swiss nationals abroad in need of consular services. The FDFA website has further information on the range of services available, an online desk for certain services and a direct link to the passport application form.

Waiting room at the Swiss consulate in Berlin. A seated woman waits her turn while a consulate staff member work behind the desk. — Swiss embassies abroad serve as points of contact for Swiss citizens abroad. © FOBL

The FDFA Helpline is available around the clock to assist with matters relating to consular services.

Swiss nationals residing abroad can access the following services directly via the online desk:

view personal details
order and pay online for a certificate of nationality and registration in the register of the Swiss Abroad
report civil status matters such as marriages, births, adoptions, changes of names, deaths, etc.
submit changes of address
update contact details (phone, email, etc.)
registration or de-registration in the electoral register
order publications (Swiss Review, representation’s newsletter)

The relevant Swiss representation abroad can answer any questions concerning the FDFA online desk.

Register with the online desk
Register with SuisseID: You can also register with SuisseID at the online desk.
Apply for a passport

Last update 03.02.2023

Online desk for Swiss nationals residing abroad

Using the FDFA’s online consular services while abroad.
Registration, deregistration and change of address

Information about the registration, de-registration and notification of address changes at Swiss representations abroad
Passport and identity card

Information on issuing a passport, an identity card or a provisional passport, and on the management of loss or theft.
Acquisition of Swiss citizenship

Information on obtaining citizenship for persons residing abroad
Lost and found

About the loss of official documents and Lost and Found facilities for objects found at home and abroad
Social security for Swiss citizens abroad

Social welfare for Swiss citizens living abroad
Emergencies abroad

Information for the Swiss citizens travelling abroad and in financial distress subsequent to an act of aggression, theft or emergency hospitalisation
Travel Admin – registering trips abroad

Better points of contact in case of a serious crisis in the destination country
Liechtenstein – consular services

Safeguarding the interests of Liechtenstein by Swiss representations
Military obligations
Social insurance

Information on voluntary Swiss OASI/IV scheme, pension cover while living abroad, Swiss social security (OASI/IV) cover, health and accident insurance cover and hedging for means of existence with the Cooperative Society Solidarity Fund for Swiss Nationals Abroad “Soliswiss”.
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
Civil status

Information on reporting in Switzerland events occurring abroad and affecting their civil status: birth, adoption, marriage, registered partnership, divorce or death
SwissInTouch – the app for the Swiss community abroad

SwissInTouch: the app for the Swiss community abroad provides information on important topics and direct access to consular services.

Contact

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

365 days a year – around the clock

The Helpline FDFA deals as central contact point with matters relating to consular services.

Fax +41 58 462 78 66

helpline@eda.admin.ch

vCard Helpline FDFA (VCF, 5.6 kB)

Phone free of charge from abroad with Skype

You will receive an error message if the Skype application is not installed on your computer or smartphone. If such a message appears, please proceed to install it right off, simply by clicking on the following link:
Download Skype

Skype: helpline-eda