New Swiss Abroad Act comes into force on 1 November 2015

Bern, 07.10.2015 - At its meeting today the Federal Council adopted the Swiss Abroad Ordinance as well as the Ordinance on Fees of the FDFA, to come into force on 1 November 2015 together with the Swiss Abroad Act. This act brings together the most important provisions governing the Swiss abroad in a single piece of legislation. The two ordinances contain provisions for its implementation.

The Federal Act on Swiss Nationals and Institutions Abroad (Swiss Abroad Act, SAA), drafted by the Council of States as a result of a parliamentary initiative (11.446 Pa. Iv. Lombardi, For a Swiss Abroad Act), was adopted by the Federal Assembly on 26 September 2014. It takes the increasing mobility of Swiss citizens into account.

The Swiss Abroad Act does not introduce any fundamentally new rights or obligations, but brings together in a single piece of legislation the most important provisions governing the over 756,000 Swiss citizens living abroad. These were previously spread across several different acts, ordinances and regulations. The act covers the political rights of Swiss citizens living abroad, social assistance, consular protection and other consular services. It also provides for the option to use electronic voting for federal referenda and elections. Furthermore, the Federal Council may take measures to promote the exercise of political rights by Swiss citizens living abroad. The SAA is also the basis for the federal government's support for institutions that promote relations among Swiss citizens living abroad and their ties to Switzerland, and that provide them with assistance.

The Swiss Abroad Act and its implementation provisions ensure that the Federal Council's policy on Swiss nationals living abroad is holistic and coherent. The cantons also play a decisive role in implementing the law, notably with regard to the political rights of Swiss nationals living abroad and the provision of social assistance.

Address for enquiries

Peter Zimmerli
Delegate for Relations with the Swiss Abroad
Tel. +41 (0)58 462 31 55
peter.zimmerli@eda.admin.ch