Published on 2 June 2026
Young Swiss Abroad
Are you a young Swiss national abroad?
Check out this useful information on your rights and responsibilities, study and employment opportunities in Switzerland, and advice on how to stay connected with Switzerland or prepare for a possible return.
The sections below provide useful information for young Swiss nationals abroad.
Rights and obligations
When you turn 18, you acquire new rights and have new obligations. This flyer tells you everything you need to know.
Document
Checklist
- When you turn 18, confirm your individual entry in the Register of the Swiss Abroad with the relevant Swiss representation (embassy or consulate).
- Register to vote
- Find out about military service (exemption/obligation) and civilian service
When you turn 18, you have to register individually in the Register of the Swiss Abroad. Your local representation (embassy or consulate) will send you a form for this, and you'll need to return it within 30 days. The online desk also allows you to register directly online (confirming your individual registration) and to tell the representation about any changes in your contact details (new address, email address, mobile number, etc.).
Military service
In peacetime, the Swiss abroad are exempt from military recruitment and service, as they are living abroad. They may volunteer for military or civilian service. Swiss citizens who, having lived abroad, take up permanent residence in Switzerland are required to do military service, depending on their age. The Swiss abroad can volunteer to enlist in the Swiss Armed Forces or perform civilian service.Compulsory service: who can do it, who must?
Swiss Armed Forces staff can advise you on matters related to military service (dual citizenship, bilateral agreements, etc.).
Staff of the Swiss Armed Forces
Civilian service
Civilian service is an alternative to military service. Those doing it are mainly assigned to the social, health and environmental sectors.Civil protection
The Civil Protection Organisation protects the population in the event of a disaster, emergency or armed conflict. Persons unfit for military service must serve in this organisation if they are deemed fit to do so. Volunteers are also welcome.As a Swiss national abroad, you can take part in Swiss democratic life. To do so, you need to be registered to vote. You can make a request for this by using the online desk, sending a letter, or going directly in person to your representation.
Easyvote
Easyvote provides non-partisan and accessible information on Swiss politics, votes and elections. The site has videos, brochures and teaching materials designed specifically for young people.Easyvote.ch: accessible and non-partisan information on politics (de, fr, it)
Official information on the Swiss political system
The ch.ch website is the online portal for the Swiss Confederation, cantons and communes. It provides official information on the Swiss political system, civil rights and obligations, as well as practical advice.Swiss Abroad Act (SAA)
The Federal Act on Swiss Persons and Institutions Abroad defines the rights and obligations of Swiss nationals living or travelling abroad.
Options and opportunities for young Swiss nationals abroad
This page provides useful information on the steps to take if you wish to come back and live in Switzerland:
educationsuisse
Educationsuisse provides information and advice on studying, vocational and professional education and training, and work placements. It also furnishes recommendations on language courses, accommodation and grants for Swiss nationals abroad.Vocational education and training
Vocational education and training equips learners with the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to practice a profession.The official Swiss portal for vocational education and training
Higher education and training in Switzerland
As a young Swiss national abroad, you have access to higher education and training in Switzerland, provided you meet the admission requirements.Swissuniversities – study in Switzerland
Exchange projects in Switzerland and abroad
Mandated by the federal government and the cantons, Movetia finances exchange projects and mobility. These programmes allow students to do work placements or exchanges in Switzerland or abroad and to develop their language and intercultural skills.Recognition of diplomas
When returning to Switzerland, you may have to get your diploma recognised, depending on which profession it qualifies you for. Various bodies are responsible for the recognition procedure.Recognition of foreign professional qualifications in Switzerland
The Swiss abroad can work in Switzerland without needing a work permit. The provisions relating to regulated professions must be respected.
The Federal Administration offers over 600 academic internships every year, intended for talented young graduates in various fields.
Academic internships within the Federal Administration
All vacancies in the Federal Administration
The website travail.swiss shows vacancies under ‘Job-Room’ and allows you to search for a position in Switzerland.
Connected to Switzerland
Even when you're abroad, Switzerland is just a click away. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) provides a range of tools for getting information, interacting and staying connected to Switzerland.
SwissInTouch is a web application developed by the FDFA. It clusters useful information for the Swiss abroad.
SwissInTouch, the app for the Swiss abroad
Find out more about SwissInTouch's guide to immigration and emigration.
The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA/SwissCommunity) represents the interests of the Swiss abroad and promotes links with Switzerland.
Discover Switzerland with OSA's holiday camps!
The aim of Swiss clubs is to bring together the existing Swiss community in the given country. They allow their members to exchange ideas, share experiences about the local life and get useful information. There are more than 650 Swiss associations abroad.
The Youth Parliament of the Swiss Abroad (YPSA) is a platform for young people who actively work to safeguard the interests of Swiss youth abroad and develop projects within their clubs or in the countries where they live.
Youth Parliament of the Swiss Abroad (YPSA)
FAQs
Registration
The online desk allows you to take care of various administrative procedures, such as updating an address, registering to vote or ordering certain certificates.
When you turn 18, you have to register individually in the Register of Swiss Abroad. Until then, your registration is linked to that of your parents. It is important to take this step to ensure that your entry in the Swiss registers remains up to date. This registration allows your Swiss representation to keep you informed and contact you if necessary. It also gives you access to various administrative services provided by the representation.
You can register directly via the FDFA's online desk.
Yes, you do need to update us with your new address or contact details. You can do so via the online desk of the FDFA.
Nationality/IDs
No; in certain situations (particularly if you are a dual citizen), you'll lose it if you don't take certain actions before you turn 25. Make sure you've been registered with a Swiss authority and that your entry in the registers is up to date.
Find out more in this SwissInTouch post
If you are a Swiss national abroad, you can order a passport or ID card online or by calling the local Swiss consulate or embassy. When abroad, please allow up to 30 working days for your new ID to arrive.
Political rights
Yes. The Swiss abroad can take part in federal votes and National Council elections. Participation in cantonal votes is possible for certain cantons.
- You'll need to contact your local Swiss representation to be entered in the Register of the Swiss Abroad.
- Register to vote in your most recent Swiss commune or, if you've never lived in Switzerland, in your place of origin.
You can submit your request at your Swiss representation abroad (embassy or consulate), by post or via the FDFA's online desk.
The Easyvote website provides non-partisan and accessible explanations of the votes and elections in Switzerland.
Easyvote.ch: accessible and non-partisan political information (de, fr, it)
Links
Contact
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA
Consular Directorate CD
Effingerstrasse 27
3003 Bern