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What difficulties did you face when renewing your identity documents abroad?

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Emigration, returning to Switzerland, family, education, pensions, banking, insurance... I care about Swiss people living abroad and inform them about the issues that concern them. Passionate about languages and cultures, my career path took a short turn through marketing and assistant work before crossing the road into journalism, in a job that allows me to converse with people from all over the world.

As a Swiss citizen living abroad, you must renew your identity documents at the nearest consulate. However, this could be hundreds or even thousands of kilometres from your home.

Have you ever encountered difficulties renewing your passport or identity card abroad? What solutions were offered to you?

Perhaps the renewal process was smooth and easy. If so, what do you particularly appreciate about the Swiss system?

Your comments may be used in a future article.

Join the conversation!

Contributions must adhere to our guidelines. If you have questions or wish to suggest other ideas for debates, please, get in touch!
agnes
agnes

Vice versa complicated case here : __As a former South Korean citizen born in France and naturalized in Switzerland after marriage, I once tried to try to get a recent copy of my birth certificate from France. My request was refused because I had to prove first that I was the same person as the person who requests the document. __When I was born my parents hadn't receive their baby's first name which was to be given by their parents from Korea so they wrote a french first name on the birth declaration document in the meantime, with the birth date 26. Then my grandprents in Korea went to the community office in Korea to declare my birth with the date 27 because 6 pm on 26 corresponded to 2am on 27 in Korea, besides with my korean first name they chose. So now as I technically have 2 different identity with different first names and different birth dates according to the french authority so I can't claim my document unless I prove each element in a complicated and long procedure. Furthermore, as my family name has changed since my marraige (to that of my husband's) they would also need a document to justify it's the same person. They mentioned like that I was supposed to file a request to change my first name. So I decided to temporarily forget about that domant document in France and live without. Got 2 seconds upset with my parents for not having harmonized my documents, after all they could't think of it all anyways. Time to put GMT before the date and hour in the documents.. !

JUAN DAV. (DJ)
JUAN DAV. (DJ)

Leading the fight against cybercrime

AlfredJoos
AlfredJoos
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

We did this in Switzerland during the holidays. Passport office Lugano, 5 days later __the new passports were in the post!!!

Wir haben das in der CH in den ferien gemacht. Passbuero Lugano, 5 Tage spaeter __waren die neuen Paesse in der post!!

Anneexpat
Anneexpat
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

Hi, I've been living in Seville, Spain, since 2017. In 2022, I had to renew my identity card and that of my daughter. The problem was that mine was due to expire just as I was about to travel to Fribourg in Switzerland to see my family. My daughter's identity card had already expired a long time ago, but she was travelling on her Spanish passport (she has both nationalities). I called the Embassy in Madrid and they informed the resident control in Fribourg that I absolutely had to have this identity card before returning to Spain, otherwise I wouldn't be able to get on the plane. The Embassy sent all our details to the Residents' Registration Office in Fribourg, who called me to make an appointment for the day after my arrival. Everything went perfectly, and my daughter and I returned to Spain with our brand new cards. Last year, however, I had to renew my passport for a trip to Canada. The embassy gave me an appointment for the biometric data. So I had to go by train. I was very well received at the embassy. The only problem was that the new passport was quite expensive, between the price of the passport, the train tickets and the taxis....__I received my new passport at home 10 days later. I think that if we could do these things online, it would simplify things when you live abroad.

Bonjour!__J’habite à Séville, en Espagne, depuis 2017. __En 2022, j’ai dû faire renouveler ma carte d’identité ainsi que celle de ma fille. __Le problème est que la date d’échéance de la mienne arrivait au moment d’un voyage en Suisse, à Fribourg, pour voir la famille. Pour ma fille, sa carte d’identité était déjà échue depuis longtemps, mais elle voyageait avec son passeport espagnol (elle a les deux nationalités). __J’ai appelé l’Ambassade à Madrid et ils ont informé le contrôle de l’habitant à Fribourg qu’il me fallait impérativement cette carte d’identité avant mon retour en Espagne sinon il me serait impossible de prendre l’avion. L’Ambassade a envoyé toutes nos données au contrôle de l’habitant à Fribourg qui m’a appelée pour me fixer un rendez-vous le lendemain de mon arrivée. __Tout a été parfait, ma fille et moi sommes retournées en Espagne avec nos cartes toutes neuves. __Par contre, l’année dernière, j’ai dû faire renouveler mon passeport en vue d’un voyage au Canada. L’ambassade m’a donné un rendez-vous pour les données biométriques. __J’ai donc dû m’y rendre en train. Très bon accueil à l’Ambassade. Seulement, ce nouveau passeport m’a coûté assez cher, entre son prix, les billets de train et les taxis….__J’ai reçu mon nouveau passeport à la maison 10 jours après. __Je pense que si l’on pouvait faire ces démarches en ligne, cela simplifierait les choses quand on vit à l’étranger.

TITI17
TITI17
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

bonjour,je reside en france 183 jours par an le reste en suisse pourquoi,et où et le probleme que je puisse renouveler ma carte d'd

bonjour,je reside en france 183 jours par an le reste en suisse pourquoi,et ou et le probleme que je puisse renouveler ma carte d

Camille Dufour
Camille Dufour
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

Hello! I had no problem renewing my passport in NYC, but I found the costs hard to swallow. The journey (by car), the hotel, the fees, the postage... It would be great to be able to renew your passport online in the future. Camille Dufour (PA, USA)

Bonjour! Je n’ai aucune difficulté à renouveler mon passeport a NYC, mais j’ai trouvé les frais durs à avaler. Le voyage (en voiture), l'hôtel, les émoluments, les frais de port,…Il serait bien de pouvoir, à l'avenir, renouveler son passeport en ligne. Camille Dufour (PA, USA)

glunggi69@yahoo.de
glunggi69@yahoo.de
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

Since I was able to renew my passport in Mombasa last time, they sent a lady with the device from Nairobi to Mombasa. As most of the foreign offices are on the coast. As it is time to renew the passport again in 2027, I asked in Nairobi if they could do it again. The answer was no, I should come to Nairobi. As I am 82 and have a disability, this is not possible. So I will no longer have a passport until 2027. I think that as I no longer have any relatives in Switzerland and will no longer be travelling, I no longer need it. So the consulate in Nairobi is forcing me to stay in the country illegally because the authorities want to stamp my passport to renew my permit. I have been in Kenya for 22 years now and have always kept all my passports in order, which is no longer possible thanks to the Swiss consulate!

Da ich meinen Pass in Mombasa das letzte Mal erneuern konnte, haben sie eine Dame mit dem Gerat von Nairobi nach Mombasa gesendet. Da die meisten Auslandschweier sich an der Kueste befinden. Da es 2027 wieder Zeit ist den Pass zu erneuern, habe ich in Nairobi angefragt, ob sie dies nicht wiederholen koennten. Die Antwort war nein, ich soll nach Nairobi kommen. Da ich 82 und gebehintert bin, ist dies nicht moeglich. Somit werde ich b 2027 keinen Pass mehr besitzen. Ich denke, da ich keine Angehoerigen mehr in der Schweiz habe und nicht mehr reisen werde, brauche ich diesen auch nicht mehr. Somit zwingt mich das Konsulat in Nairobi, illegal im Land zu stehen, da die Behoerden fuer die Erneuerung meines Permit einen Stempel im Pass machen wollen. Ich bin nun 22 Jahre in Kenya und habe immer alle meine Paipiere in Ordung gehalten, was ab jetzt, Dank des schweizer Konsulat, nicht mehr moeglich ist!

JoanBoa
JoanBoa
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

There used to be a Swiss embassy in Luxembourg, but now all the Benelux countries are grouped together in The Hague in the Netherlands. It's true that there's a mobile unit in Luxembourg once a year, but when you're undergoing medical treatment by a specialist, the date often comes at the wrong time and it's impossible to get there, especially as you have to make an appointment with no choice of time. I renewed my passport in Lausanne while I was visiting my daughter. You should know that it's possible for Swiss people abroad to renew their passports, you just have to make an appointment.

Avant il y avait une ambassade suisse à Luxembourg, maintenant tout le Benelux est regroupé à La Haye aux Pays Bas. Il y a certes une cellule mobile une fois par an à Luxembourg, mais lorsqu'on est en traitement médical chez un spécialiste, il arrive souvent que la date tombe mal et il est impossible de s'y rendre d'autant plus qu'il faut prendre rendez-vous sans avoir le choix de l'horaire. J'ai renouvelé mon passeport à Lausanne alors que j'étais en visite chez ma fille. Il faut savoir que c'est possible de le faire pour les Suisses de l'étranger, il suffit de prendre rendez-vous.

André Weidenhaupt
André Weidenhaupt
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.
@JoanBoa

I can't really confirm all of these observations. While it is true that you normally have to go to The Hague to register your biometric data for a passport, the Benelux regional consular centre of the Swiss embassy in the Netherlands visits the Swiss embassy in Luxembourg once a year with its mobile station. I took advantage of the opportunity this year and was able to choose my appointment, thanks to a link provided by the regional consular centre in The Hague, well in advance of the dates when the mobile centre is in Luxembourg. It is also possible to travel to Switzerland, as 'JoanBoa' describes in her comment. It should be noted that the nearest place to Luxembourg to apply for a passport in person is the passport office in the canton of Basel-Stadt, which is even closer to Luxembourg than the consular centre in The Hague. You just need to ask the latter for authorisation before making an appointment in Basel. My husband did this two years ago, and it only took him 5 minutes (which allowed us to pay a nice visit to the Fondation Beyeler as well)...

Je ne peux pas vraiment confirmer l'ensemble de ces observations. S'il est vrai que l'on doit normalement se déplacer à La Haye pour enregistrer les données biométriques en vue d'établir un passeport, le centre consulaire régional Benelux de l'ambassade de Suisse aux Pays-Bas passe une fois par an avec sa station mobile à l'ambassade de Suisse à Luxembourg. J'en profite cette année et j'ai pu choisir mon rendez-vous, grâce à un lien fourni par le centre consulaire régional de La Haye, suffisamment en amont des dates auxquelles le centre mobile est de passage à Luxembourg. Il est également possible de se déplacer en Suisse, comme le décrit « JoanBoa » dans son commentaire. À noter que le lieu le plus proche du Luxembourg pour faire son passeport physiquement est le bureau des passeports du canton de Bâle-Ville, qui est même plus proche du Luxembourg que le centre consulaire de La Haye. Il suffit de demander l'autorisation à ce dernier avant de prendre rendez-vous à Bâle. Mon mari l'a fait il y a deux ans, et cela ne lui a pris que 5 minutes (ce qui nous a permis de faire une jolie visite à la Fondation Beyeler en sus)...

ZermattTessa
ZermattTessa

We live in Colorado and Hawaii. So the only consulate is in San Francisco for us! But we also visit Switzerland regularly, and it was super easy to get an appointment to renew our passport directly in Switzerland! __I would recommend a trip to Switzerland....by the time and money spent to travel to San Francisco (for us anyway) get a Hotel etc... a trip to Switzerland and renew the passport is worth while!!

Swissmen@Zurich
Swissmen@Zurich
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

I live in Guayaquil-Ecuador and have enquired at the CH embassy in Quito. I was told that I would have to travel to Quito to get a new passport. After I asked for a mobile station and gave examples of how it is done elsewhere, the CH embassy relented and asked all Swiss abroad in Guayaquil by e-mail about their needs.__As a result of the request, the consul organised a mobile station for the creation of the biometric data and informed everyone when we had to be at the consulate in Guayaquil. The whole organisation took half a year but 34 people saved time and money for the new documents. Thanks to all CH embassy staff in Ecuador.

Lebe in Guayaquil-Ecuador und habe die CH-Botschaft in Quito angefragt. Ich müsse nach Quito reisen um einen neuen Pass zu erhalten wurde mir ausgerichtet. Nachdem ich um eine mobile Station bat und Beispiele aufzeigte wie es andernorts gehandhabt wird, lenkte die CH-Botschaft ein und befragte per Mail alle AuslandschweizerInnen in Guayaquil nach ihrem Bedarf.__Aufgrund der Nachfrage organisierte der Konsul eine mobile Station für die Erstellung der biometrischen Daten und informierte alle wann wir uns im Konsulat in Guayaquil einzufinden haben. Die ganze Organisation dauerte ein halbes Jahr doch sparten sich 34 Personen Zeit und Kosten für die neuen Dokumente. Ein Dank an alle CH-Botschaftsangehörigen in Ecuador.

RCGiger6
RCGiger6
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

When I was reading the report, I thought, why not have the CH passport extended in Switzerland? This was also mentioned. As long as you still have another passport (and that is the case with the 91-year-old woman), you can also use it to enter Switzerland if your Swiss passport has expired. Just because you have an expired passport doesn't mean you lose your citizenship. And we also live in the USA and often travel to Switzerland. And the last time my wife had her passport renewed there, it went smoothly and without any problems. And if there hadn't been enough time, the passport would have been sent to the USA.

Also ich den Bericht am lesen war, habe ich gedacht, warum nicht den CH Pass in der Schweiz verlängern lassen? Dies wurde ja dann auch erwähnt. Solange man noch einen andern Pass hat (und das ist ja bei der 91 jährigen Frau der Fall), kann man auch damit in die Schweiz einreisen, falls der CH Pass abgelaufen ist. Nur weil man einen abgelaufenen Pass hat, verliert man ja nicht die Staatsbürgerschaft. Und wir leben auch in den USA und reisen öfters in die Schweiz. Und letzes Mal hat meine Frau ihren Pass da erneuern lassen, ging problemlos und ohne Probleme. Und wenn die Zeit nicht gereicht hätte, hätte man den Pass auch in die USA geschickt.

Hernach Jean-Claude
Hernach Jean-Claude
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

I do not understand why it is not possible to make my swiss passport in Switzerland (without being registered in an embassy).__I wanted to take an appointment like 11 years ago, unfortunately it was not possible, my embassy simply cancelled my registration, without registration not possible.__Registering is a hurdle, every week a new e-mail with a new form is required.Until now seven, each one costs time and money (tax)__And some even not easy to explain in French, the authorities in French-speaking Switzerland could not understand what I needed.__(Maybe form with number would be easier for them to understand)__Was in between three times in Switzerland, but no right to a new passport.__Why if my embassy cancelled me without writing to me (mail and message I always got) can't I register again right away? I have been in Austria for over seven and twenty years (and in Bern, where I also phoned, I knew exactly that).

Ich verstehe nicht warum nicht möglich ist mein schweizer Pass in der Schweiz (ohne angemeldet in einem Botschaft zu sein) zu machen.__Ich wollte einen Termin wie vor 11 Jahren nehmen, war leider nicht möglich, mein Botschaft hat mir einfach abgemeldet, ohne Anmeldung nicht möglich.__Sich anmelden eine Hürde, jede Woche eine neue E-Mail mit eine neue Formular verlang.__Bis jetzt sieben, jeder kostet Zeit und Geld (Tax)__Und ein paar sogar nicht leicht auf französisch zu erklären, die Behörden in der französische Schweiz könnte nicht verstehen was ich gebraucht habe.__(Vielleicht Formular mit Nummer wäre leichter für die Verständnis)__War in zwischen drei Mal in der Schweiz, aber kein Recht auf einen neuen Pass.__Wieso wenn mein Botschaft mir abgemeldet hat ohne mir zu Schreiben (Mail und Nachricht habe immer bekommen) mir nicht auch gleich wieder anmelden kann? Bin immer über sieben und zwanzig Jahren in Österreich (und in Bern wo ich auch telefoniert habe genau das gewusst haben) .

ROY
ROY
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

I've had this problem here on Tenerife since 2022. I am walking impaired. Here you have to ship to Gran Canaria. They are there 2-3 days a year to take the data. Or then 1 time a year on Tenerife in Santa Cruz. Then there is another possibility to fly to Matrid to the CH consulate. You have to register with the FDFA, but this usually does not work via the Internet. It's complicated and you can't travel anywhere with an expired passport. It couldn't be more complicated. Shame on Switzerland🤢🫣🤮

Das Problem habe ich seit 2022 hier auf Tenerife. Ich bin Gehbehindert. Hier musst Du nach Gran-Canaria schiffen. Dort sind die im Jahr 2-3 Tage um sich die Daten azfzunehmen. Oder dann 1 mal im Jahr auf Tenerife in Santa Cruz. Dann gibts noch eine möglichkeit nach Matrid zu fliegen auf das CH-Konsulat. Da musst Dich beim EDA anmelden nur funktioniert das meistens nicht über das Internet. Es ist kompliziert und mit abgelaufedem Pass reist Du nirgens hinn. Komplizierter gehts nicht mehr. Schande der Schweiz🤢🫣🤮

Hans Rudolf Knecht
Hans Rudolf Knecht
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

We live in Minsk, Belarus, and have to travel to Moscow or Switzerland for new passports. Both involve a lot of time and money. ____The Swiss embassy in Minsk is a 20-minute drive from where I live, but is unable to help us with this. The embassy is also inactive when it comes to other matters, such as tourist visas for family members. I wonder what the purpose of this representation abroad is, especially what these people there do for their 40 Swiss Abroad all day long

Wir leben in Minsk, Belarus, und müssen für neue Pässe nach Moskau oder in die Schweiz reisen. Beides mit viel zeitlichem und finanziellen Aufwand verbunden. ____Die Schweizer Botschaft in Minsk liegt 20 Autominuten von meinem Wohnort, ist aber nicht in der Lage uns in dieser Sache zu unterstützen. Auch bei anderen Anliegen, wie Touristen-Visa für Familienangehörige ist die Botschaft untätig. Ich Frage mich, wozu diese Auslandsvertretung nützlich ist, insbesondere was diese Leute dort für ihre 40 Swiss Abroad den ganzen Tag tun

Emilie Ridard
Emilie Ridard SWI SWISSINFO.CH
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.
@Hans Rudolf Knecht

Hello, not all embassies offer consular services. It seems that the embassy in Minsk only provides diplomatic representation. This is why you cannot renew your identity papers there.

Bonjour, toutes les ambassades n'offrent pas de services consulaires. Il semble que celle de Minsk ait seulement pour fonction une représentation diplomatique. C'est la raison pour laquelle vous ne pouvez pas y renouveler vos papiers d'identité.

Antonella
Antonella
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.

No difficulties at all. I live in Piacenza, I went to the consulate in Milan.very kind and friendly people.__Then I quickly received my documents at home.__Excellent service for me.

Nessuna difficoltà. Vivo a Piacenza, mi recò al consolato di Milano.persone gentilissime e cordiali.__Poi ricevo velocemente i miei documenti a domicio.__Ottimo servizio per me.

Swiss1956
Swiss1956

I’m originally from Switzerland and now live in Minnesota. The passport renewal process has become even more challenging since the Swiss Consulate in Chicago closed. We’re now assigned to the Consulate in New York — which, as you can imagine, is hardly a two day trip!____My son lives in South Dakota, even farther west, so for both of us it’s quite a journey — flights, hotels, and meals add up quickly. Occasionally, the mobile passport station comes to Chicago, but even that means at least a two-day trip.____Years ago, they brought the mobile passport station to Minnesota, which made things so much easier. It would be wonderful if that could happen again someday.

I. Am. Not. A. Potter
I. Am. Not. A. Potter

I am Swiss living now in Spain. I had to take a day off and spend a lot of money to go to Madrid, Barcelona would have been a two day trip. __Fun fact is my wife is a US citizen and she has a biometric passport too... They do it all by mail with a video call. All done in 5 minutes. My mother who lived with me was non mobile, literally bed bound and the wanted her to go to Madrid too. If you don't renew tour documents your bank will seize your account and more fun things here. She died a few days before renewal was needed. This whole thing would be real if everyone did, yet as far as I know they're the only ones (the Swiss)

Emilie Ridard
Emilie Ridard SWI SWISSINFO.CH
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.
@I. Am. Not. A. Potter

Hello,__Thank you for your interesting and touching account, which also shows the collateral consequences of not being able to renew your passport. Yours faithfully

Bonjour,__Merci pour votre intéressant et touchant témoignage, qui montre aussi les conséquences collatérales auxquelles on peut faire face lorsque l'on est dans l'impossibilité de renouveler son passeport. __Cordialement

swissrat72@gmail.com
swissrat72@gmail.com

I had to travel to San Francisco by plane,1 hour __The renewal was very simple and efficient,I made a appointment 1 month ahead __The consulate staff was very helpful and polite!

Doris Ruchti
Doris Ruchti
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

My partner's sister has lived in the Chaco in Paraguay for almost 20 years or more. She is 70 years old and had cared for her husband for years until he died. As a result, she completely failed to renew her passport. She is not able to travel due to her health. She lives in complete isolation. And due to a hearing loss, she is also unable to go out among many people because of the noise. But she has to travel to Asuncion in person (= 8 hours by night bus). To the capital. I wrote to the DFA for a long time to see if there were any exceptions. No. She has to go there in person. __I find that alarming. And personally, I think it will take such a psychological toll on her that she will die shortly before the event. Because that's just too much! In this day and age, with the internet and video, it should simply be possible to help unbureaucratically in exceptional cases!

Also die Schwester meines Lebenspartners wohnt schon beinahe 20 Jahre oderlänger inm Chaco in Paraguay. Sie ist 70 Jahre alt und hatte ihren Mann jahrelang gepflegt bis zum Tod. Dadurch hatte sie es komplett versäumt Ihren Pass zu erneuern. Gesundheitlich ist sie nicht in der Lage, zu reisen. Sie lebt komplett abgeschieden. Und aufgrund eines Hörsturzes auch nicht fähig unter viele Leute zu gehen , wegen dem Lärm. Sie muss aber persönlich nach Asuncion reisen ( = 8 Std mit dem Nachtbus) . In die Hauptstadt. Ich habe lange mit dem EDA geschrieben ob es nicht ausnahmen gibt. Nein. Sie muss persöndlich dorthin. __Ich finde das bedenklich. Und persöndlich denke ich, dass sie das so mitnehmen wird psychisch, dass sie kurz vor diesem Ereignis sterben wird. Weil das ist einfach zuviel! In der heutigen Zeit, mit Internet und Video, sollte es einfach möglich sein, in Ausnahmefällen unbürokratisch zu helfen!

Emilie Ridard
Emilie Ridard SWI SWISSINFO.CH
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.
@Doris Ruchti

Thank you for your touching comment, which bears witness to the reality of many elderly Swiss people or those in poor health living abroad.

Merci de votre touchant commentaire qui témoigne de la réalité de nombreuses et nombreux Suisses âgés ou en mauvaise santé qui vivent à l'étranger.

RCGiger6
RCGiger6
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.
@Doris Ruchti

It may sound a bit heartless, but if she can't travel, why does she have to renew her passport? If she suddenly has to go to Switzerland, she can apply for an emergency passport.

Es mag ja etwas herzlos tönen, aber wenn sie nicht reisen kann, warum muss sie dann den Pass erneuern? Wenn sie plötzlich in die Schweiz muss, kann sie einen Notpass beantragen.

Paddy513
Paddy513

Being married to a Swiss lady, I used to go from Salisbury, UK, to London for my Schengen visa at the Swiss embassy. When ghe Visa officer realised that I would have to return from Salisbury to collect my passport, he and she on another occasion asked me wait for an hour and returned my passport with a new visa____I, with other instances of Swiss common sense, have always praised this virtue, and I am sure they can find a way of renewal of passports abroad. My wife goes to London in Dec to renew her passport, and I hope they will agree to post in a self addressed envelope she will try to submit..

Emilie Ridard
Emilie Ridard SWI SWISSINFO.CH
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.
@Paddy513

Keep us posted! :-)

Tenez-nous au courant ! :-)

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR