Passport and identity card

Services and visa

All consular services and visa support for people resident in the United Kingdom and Ireland are provided by the Regional Consular Centre London. Information can be found via the following links:

United Kingdom
Ireland

Publication

The dossier is intended for people who leave Switzerland to take up permanent residence in another country and work abroad.

Dossier: Vivre et Travailler dans L'EU/L'AELE (PDF, 2.3 MB, French)

Other languages

Dossier: Leben und Arbeiten in der EU/EFTA
Dossier: Vivere e Lavorare nell' UE/AELS

Services

Contact the responsible Swiss representation or consulate when you want to register or unregister as a resident, when you need a new passport, have moved or wish to apply for citizenship. The entire selection of services offered can be found in the dropdown menu to the right. The contact details of the responsible Swiss representation are shown on the corresponding page.

Swiss citizens who get into difficulties abroad, also can ask for advice and help from the Swiss representative.

The magazine for the Swiss Abroad appears six times a year and provides information about what is happening at home and the activities of Swiss associations abroad. It also answers administrative questions.

Online desk FDFA

Using the FDFA’s online consular services while abroad.

The relevant Swiss representation abroad can answer any questions concerning the FDFA’s online desk.

A Swiss passport and identity card — The personal information stored on biometric passports is recorded at the representation. © Keystone

Swiss citizens are entitled to a passport and an identity card. The current biometric passports contain a chip on which your fingerprints and an image of your face are stored electronically. All Swiss travel documents are produced in Switzerland.

You can apply online for your passport and identity card. Once your application is reviewed, you receive an invitation to record your biometric data at the competent Swiss representation. Be sure to check the expiry date on your current passport and identity card and leave enough time to order new ones.

Passport / ID card application

The Regional Consular Centre (RCC) is now in a position to process passport/ID card applications again. However, please note that the RCC is experiencing a substantial backlog of applications due to COVID-19 and it is therefore taking longer than usual to process these. Applications will be processed in order of receipt. In order to comply with social distancing guidelines, only a limited number of appointments can be offered per day. This is to ensure the safety of our customers and staff.

In view of the circumstances it may take longer than usual to renew your Swiss identity documents. Booking any trips while you do not hold a valid passport/ID card is at your own risk.

The RCC appreciates your understanding in these challenging times.

FAQs – frequently asked questions about passport or ID applications

The statutory delivery period is 30 days abroad and 10 days in Switzerland.

Once your application is reviewed, you receive an email inviting you to make an appointment to record your biometric data. You must do this in person at the Swiss representation where you are registered or, if you are in Switzerland, at the cantonal passport office.

To record their biometric data, minors must be accompanied by their parent/s or legal guardian/s. A divorced parent with sole legal custody of their child must present an official document to that effect. Where divorced parents have joint legal custody of their child and only one parent is able to attend the appointment, the absent parent must present written authorisation for the issuing of the child’s passport or identity card.

The new Swiss passport and/or ID card will be valid from the date of issue, not the date of expiry of the current passport/ID card.