Published on 1 February 2026

Services for Swiss nationals abroad

The local Swiss representation is the first point of contact for Swiss nationals abroad in need of consular services. Its website features detailed information on the extensive range of services available, as well as an online desk for selected services. The FDFA Helpline is also available around the clock for assistance with all consular matters.

The local Swiss representation abroad is the first point of contact for consular services. It advises and assists Swiss nationals abroad in the following areas, among others:

• Registering as a Swiss citizen abroad with the local Swiss representation
• Issuing a Swiss passport or identity card
• Reporting and registering a change of address abroad
• Reporting and registering a marriage or birth abroad
• Providing advice and assistance in emergencies abroad
• Granting consular protection
• Issuing an entry visa to Switzerland for persons requiring a visa, e.g. relatives of Swiss nationals who do not have Swiss citizenship and are subject to a visa requirement

Swiss representations also assist and advise Liechtenstein nationals abroad if there is no Liechtenstein representation in the country concerned.

Contact your local Swiss representation abroad and select the consular service for which you require further information or specific advice and assistance.

FDFA services abroad

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• For Swiss nationals living abroad

  Swiss nationals domiciled abroad must contact their local representation in order to be entered in the Register of the Swiss Abroad. Entry in the register is generally required to exercise the rights and obligations of Swiss nationals abroad and benefit from the services provided by Swiss authorities. Swiss nationals abroad can register directly via the FDFA’s online desk, where they can also, among other things, view their personal details online, update their contact details and report civil status events that have taken place abroad, such as marriages, births, adoptions and changes of name.

  If you are a Swiss national living abroad and get into financial difficulties so that you cannot support yourself with your own resources, with financial assistance from private sources or with assistance from the receiving state, the local Swiss representation can also advise you in this regard and help you find a solution.

  If you are a Swiss national living abroad but residing temporarily in Switzerland and get into financial difficulties that you cannot resolve for yourself, whether organisationally or financially, please contact the social assistance office responsible for your canton of residence. They can support you with urgent social assistance, subject to certain conditions.

  List of private and public advice centres in Switzerland, Swiss Conference for Social Welfare, SKOS (German, French)

• For Liechtenstein nationals resident abroad

  In countries where there is no Liechtenstein representation, Liechtenstein nationals abroad receive largely the same advice and assistance as Swiss nationals.

  Liechtenstein nationals domiciled abroad can also register directly in the Register of the Swiss Abroad via the FDFA’s online desk, where they can also, among other things, view their personal details online, update their contact details and report civil status events that have taken place abroad, such as marriages, births, adoptions and changes of name. Entry in the register is generally required to benefit from certain services.

  If you are a Liechtenstein national living abroad and get into financial difficulties so that you cannot support yourself with your own resources, with financial assistance from private sources or with assistance from the receiving state, the local Swiss representation can also advise you in this regard and help you find a solution.

• For Swiss and Liechtenstein nationals travelling abroad

  If you are a Swiss or Liechtenstein national travelling abroad and find yourself in an emergency situation, the local Swiss representation, or the FDFA Helpline (available around the clock), can advise you and help you find a solution in the framework of consular protection. However, assistance from the Confederation can only be provided if you cannot reasonably safeguard your interests on your own or with the help of third parties, or are not in a position to do so. There is no legal entitlement to consular protection.

• For other individuals

  If you have any questions about an entry visa to Switzerland or other consular services such as attestations, the relevant Swiss representation abroad or the FDFA Helpline can advise you.

Contact Helpline FDFA

365 days a year – around the clock

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

• Telephone

  [phone]

  [phone]

• E-Mail

  [e-mail]

• Social media

  X: @travel_edadfae

• Travel Admin App

  

  Travel Admin – the travel app of the FDFA. — © FDFA

  Travel safe and worry-free with Travel Admin, the FDFA's travel app. The Travel Admin app helps you prepare for your trip.
  
  Here's more information and the link to download it: Travel Admin App