Published on 1 February 2026

The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad SwissCommunity

The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad SwissCommunity represents the interests of Swiss nationals living abroad (known as the ‘Fifth Switzerland’), both at home and internationally. It provides information online and, in the magazine, Swiss Review, and advises on relevant issues. Through youth initiatives, a community platform and Swiss clubs and associations, it helps keep the Swiss Abroad in touch with one another and Switzerland.

Members of the Council of the Swiss Abroad hold up red slips of paper to cast their vote. — The Council of the Swiss Abroad during a voting session. — © Organisation of the Swiss Abroad SwissCommunity

The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) SwissCommunity is a politically and religiously neutral, independent foundation.

Ten per cent of Switzerland’s population lives outside the country, with the Swiss diaspora spread across all continents. Multilingual and multicultural, it forms a mosaic that enhances Switzerland’s impact abroad. It is therefore essential that Swiss people around the world maintain a strong connection with Switzerland and with each other.

SwissCommunity rises to this challenge with conviction. It has four core tasks: to inform, network, represent and advise.

Core tasks

SwissCommunity informs Swiss nationals about what is happening in Switzerland and about all matters that directly affect them.
To this end, it has a website and a community platform in four languages. It also sends out a newsletter and publishes Swiss Review - the independent magazine for the Swiss community abroad - which reaches around 400,000 Swiss households worldwide and is available in several languages. In Italy, there is a separate magazine called Gazzetta Svizzera. Finally, SwissCommunity communicates proactively via social media.
SwissCommunity offers a wide range of services and events to maintain and consolidate relations between the Swiss Abroad and their country of origin.
Youth initiatives such as sports and leisure camps in Switzerland allow young Swiss living abroad to get to know the country and one another.
The Council of the Swiss Abroad, known as the ‘Parliament of the Fifth Switzerland’, meets three times a year and works to forge links between, and to represent, the interests of all Swiss Abroad.
Outside Switzerland, there are over 650 Swiss clubs and associations that foster and strengthen ties with the homeland.
The online platform ‘SwissCommunity’ brings together Swiss nationals abroad and relevant associations. By allowing them to exchange experiences, find members and associations nearby, share events and benefit from other opportunities, it helps to connect the Swiss community abroad.
SwissCommunity defends the interests of the over 800,000 Swiss nationals living abroad.
The Council of the Swiss Abroad is the organisation’s supreme body and is made up of 140 members. The Swiss authorities recognise the Council of the Swiss Abroad as the mouthpiece of the Fifth Switzerland.
The Swiss Abroad cross-party group is an important link to the Swiss Parliament. It comprises over 60 Swiss parliamentarians who represent the interests of the Swiss Abroad in Parliament.
SwissCommunity’s major political successes include the introduction of the Swiss Abroad Act and the right for Swiss citizens living abroad to participate in federal votes by postal ballot.
“Current priorities are e-voting and e-government, as well as the free movement of persons in the European Union. SwissCommunity also encourages the Swiss Abroad to register to vote so that they can participate in the political debate and make their voices heard.”
SwissCommunity provides free advice to the Swiss Abroad and to anyone looking to emigrate from, or return to, Switzerland.
Whether it be health insurance, old-age, survivors’ and invalidity insurance (OASI/IV) contributions, citizenship, the exercise of political rights, education and training, military service or other legal and administrative matters, SwissCommunity is on hand to provide informed advice and assistance to Swiss nationals who are, or will be, living abroad. It is also the point of contact for financial questions and the various support funds available.