Have you decided to emigrate and live abroad long term? Before you leave, find out more about your country of destination, the cost of living, and any administrative formalities to be completed in Switzerland and at your destination.
Run through the FDFA’s checklist to ensure you’ve thought of everything before you leave Switzerland.
If you are Swiss and go to live abroad, you need to register at a Swiss diplomatic mission or consulate. The Swiss consulate is like your local council offices abroad. You can find your nearest representation on the FDFA website.
More and more people are choosing to retire abroad. If you are one of them, make sure you find out about regulations for persons not in gainful employment, health insurance, how your pension will be paid abroad, taxes etc.
When you leave Switzerland, your situation regarding health insurance, social insurance and your occupational pension changes.
Swiss people living abroad can exercise their political rights at federal level. If you would like to do this, you need to register with a diplomatic or consular representation and with your voting commune (where you formerly lived).
The cantons of Bern, Basel-Land, Fribourg, Geneva, Graubünden, Jura, Neuchâtel, Solothurn, Schwyz and Ticino also grant currently the right to vote at cantonal level to Swiss living abroad.