Applying for an identity document

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.

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.

Please enter your request for a Swiss identity document online (one request per person) and follow the instructions on the website:

Passport and identity card

If you are resident abroad the processing centre will normally be the Swiss representation at which you are registered. Please contact this centre if you have any problems entering your request online.

Do not forget to provide the following information:

Under the heading "Remarks" mention an alternative processing centre in Switzerland or abroad (i.e. a different Swiss representation abroad or one of the cantonal passport offices), if you wish to make an appointment for the biometric data capture in a place other than the Swiss representation responsible for your place of domicile.

You will receive online acknowledgement of your request.

As soon as your personal data has been verified, you will receive an online acknowledgement with a link to our calendar.

Please note that the personal data contained in Swiss identity documents (family name, first name, date of birth and place of origin) are taken from the Swiss civil status register (Infostar).

Do not hesitate to contact the Swiss representation responsible for your place of residence if you have any questions concerning an ID document requested or an appointment for the capture of biometric data.