Services
Here you will find some important sources of information about changing residence abroad. Most are from the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).
Online deskExternal link for the Swiss Abroad for consular services such as singing up to the Register of the Swiss Abroad, notifications of changes in civil status, changes of address, etc.
Order passport or identity cardExternal link
Useful linksExternal link for signing up to the Register of the Swiss Abroad (compulsory)
Curated information from the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad on the topics of emigration External linkand returninExternal linkg to Switzerland
Returning to Switzerland (deregister from the Register of the Swiss AbroadExternal link)
Checklist for returning to SwitzerlandExternal link from Soliswiss
Information from the government on the subject of emigrationExternal link.
Checklist for emigrationExternal link by Soliswiss
How do I acquire Swiss citizenshipExternal link?
Information for citizens abroad on compulsory military serviceExternal link in Switzerland
The Swiss pension system broadly applies to all citizens abroad but there are exceptions. Be aware, however, that there are numerous precautions to take to ensure that you can contribute and receive payments. The main contact point is the Central Compensation OfficeExternal link of the government as attested by many of the links recommended below.
General information
Under certain conditions, you can join the voluntary pension schemeExternal link.
You can find the necessary information here, on the government’s websiteExternal link
Further information from the governmentExternal link about applying for an old-age pension depending on your country of residence
Old-age pensions
Information from the governmentExternal link on pension entitlement, early retirement or pension deferral.
All informationExternal link from Swisscommunity and the Organisation of the Swiss abroad, on the subject of old-age and disability insurance.
Curated government information External linkon voluntary pension contributions
Contact detailsExternal link of the Swiss Compensation Office
Information on pensions when leaving SwitzerlandExternal link
Information on pensions when returning to SwitzerlandExternal link
Info on one-off pension contributionsExternal link
Calculate pensions in advance.External link
Receive an individual account statementExternal link
Estimate External linkpension online
Am I entitled to an old-age and disability pension? Answers here.External link
How to notify the pensions authority (Central Compensation Office) of changes if you are paying voluntary contributions: Notification of change.External link
How to notify the authorities of changes if you receive old-age or disability payments: Report changesExternal link.
To prevent abuse, the Swiss Compensation Office carries out checksExternal link if you are alive and on martial status.
Disability pensions
You meet the eligibility requirements for a disability pension. You can find all the information from the government hereExternal link.
All informationExternal link on disability pensions
Information on entitlementExternal link to a disability pension abroad
Child benefits
All informationExternal link on child benefits
Survivor’s pension
You do not live in Switzerland and meet the eligibility requirements for a survivor’s pension. You can find all the information from the government hereExternal link.
When are you entitled to a survivor’s pension?External link
Swiss citizens who move abroad generally stop paying the compulsory health insurance required of residents. Those who return must actively re-register but there are some special rules worth knowing about. The following links provide a good overview.
All information from the government External linkon health insurance
A summary of the essential informationExternal link by the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad/SwissCommunity
Health insurance: Information from the governmentExternal link for insured persons living abroad.
Who is still subject to compulsory health insuranceExternal link?
Health insurance solutions from SoliswissExternal link.
Having an account with a Swiss bank has become more difficult in recent years for citizens living abroad. More and more Swiss banks are terminating their relationships with Swiss clients abroad or charging steep fees. An overview.
Which banks still offer servicesExternal link to the Swiss Abroad? Information from the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad/SwissCommunity
Overview of bank chargesExternal link (article by Moneyland.ch from April 2023)
Political rights are also guaranteed abroad. This means that all Swiss citizens are entitled to vote in federal elections and referendums, and in some cases also at cantonal and municipal level. To do so, they must be enrolled in the electoral register. However, exercising democratic rights from abroad relies heavily on the postal system as e-voting is only available in Switzerland on a trial basis.
Form for registration and entryExternal link in the electoral register
Everything about political rightsExternal link on the website of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad/SwissCommunity
Political rights overview pageExternal link of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
The text of the Swiss Abroad ActExternal link
Everything about political rights for the Swiss abroad on one websiteExternal link
Information from the Federal Chancellery on the status of e-votingExternal link
According to the law, the principle of personal responsibility applies to Swiss citizens living abroad in the case of an emergency. The government is therefore not obliged to help and if it does it is only obliged to do so to a certain extent. Nevertheless, there are facilities for support in crisis situations. An overview.
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs HelplineExternal link, the central point of contact for consular services
Consular servicesExternal link for Swiss nationals abroad
Problems? Who Swiss citizens abroad can turn to? An article by SWI swissinfo.ch
Compilation of assistance optionsExternal link from the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad/SwissCommunity
Social welfare assistanceExternal link for Swiss citizens abroad
Help with emergencies abroadExternal link
Organisation of the Swiss Abroad/SwissCommunityExternal link
SwissInTouchExternal link – the app for the Swiss community abroad
Travel AdminExternal link, the app with the travel advice from the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Swiss schools abroadExternal link, an overview page of the government
EducationsuisseExternal link, umbrella organisation of Swiss schools abroad
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