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Council of the Swiss Abroad Meeting – 22.-23. August 2025

  • CT
  • Sep 27
  • 5 min read

Updated: Oct 2




On 22–23 August 2025, the newly elected Council of the Swiss Abroad (CSA) gathered at the Federal Palace in Bern for its constituent meeting, held as part of the Swiss Community Days. Over 100 delegates from around the world, together with members of parliament and representatives of the Department of Foreign Affairs, participated in workshops, exchanges, and the official council sessions.


The weekend was special in many ways: It marked the start of the new 2025-2029 legislative period of the CSA, introduced a new conference format partly replacing the former Congress, and, for the first time, nearly half of the Council members abroad were elected directly by Swiss citizens registered in their countries rather than through clubs.


Day 1 at the Federal Palace was dedicated to workshops and presentations designed to foster connections, gather feedback, and provide delegates with information and tools to carry out their role effectively.


On Day 2 the formal meeting of the Council took place in the beautiful National Council Chamber of the Federal Palace. Proceedings opened with an address by Maya Riniker, president of the National Council (House of representatives) and an interesting panel discussion with the Swiss Ambassadors to Singapore, Israel and New Zealand. The meeting was streamed live, and a recording is available here.


Key topics discussed over the two days included e‑voting, access to health insurance and banks, and Bilaterale III. A resolution supporting a Yes vote in the e‑ID referendum on 28 September was adopted by the Council, highlighting the importance of secure digital services for Swiss citizens abroad.


Representing Australia were Beat Knoblauch, Thomas Hofer, and Carmen Trochsler, with Roland Isler and Barbara Zingg following the live stream online. A special thank-you to outgoing delegate Katja Wallimann Gates, who also attended both days.


For the Australian delegation, highlights included connecting with delegates from across the globe, convening in the impressive National Council Chamber, Thomas Hofer attending his first Council meeting, Beat Knoblauch chairing the Board and President elections in his role as the Council’s oldest member, and Carmen Trochsler being re-elected to the Board of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad. Roland Isler was re-elected to the Compliance Committee.


Topics of interest to the Swiss Abroad


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E-ID: The CSA adopted a resolution supporting the new Electronic Identity Act, up for referendum on 28 September. The E-ID is seen as a foundation for advancing digital government, reducing hurdles when dealing with Swiss authorities, and simplifying voting from abroad and online signature collection. More information and links can be found on our website here.


EU / Bilateral Agreements III: Around 60% of Swiss Abroad live in the EU, making this package especially relevant. Consultation runs until 31 October 2025, with parliamentary deliberations expected through 2026 and a possible vote in mid-2027. Chief Negotiator Patric Franzen underlined the importance of early engagement, as opposition campaigning has already begun. Good factsheets are available on the FDFA website for further details.


Banking solutions: BCGE (Banque Cantonale de Genève) and ZKB (Zürcher Kantonalbank) are partners of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad and offer accounts for Swiss Abroad at no minimal deposit. Please note that an appointment in Switzerland and the prior completion of paperwork is necessary - you can’t just walk up to the counter. Good feedback has been received by many Swiss Abroad in Australia on opening bank accounts with either one of these banks.


  • BCGE: Branches are in Geneva, Lausanne, Zurich and Basel. Contact Details: auslandschweizer@bcge.ch / 0041 61 226 61 00 (German, French, English) / Website. Yearly fees ~ CHF 180 (includes account fee and domicile abroad fee, as per 1.1.25). T&C apply.


  • ZKB: Contact Details:  neukundeninfo@zkb.ch / Website. Yearly fees ~ CHF 360 (includes 0 account fee and domicile abroad fee), as per 1.1.25). T&C apply.


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Quality information: Swissinfo is Switzerland’s international public media service. It connects the Swiss people living abroad - with developments at home while offering global audiences insights into Swiss politics, economy, culture, and society. Swissinfo Director, Larissa Bieler, highlighted the importance of independent and high-quality information. With its multilingual journalism, Swissinfo ensures that perspectives are represented internationally beyond the influence of foreign media. The Government wants to make cuts and swissinfo is at risk of closure. A petition has been launched which you can sign here.


Webinars on topics that matter to Swiss Abroad: Following strong uptake since 2023, new webinars in 2025 covered civil status and taxation/finances, with a session on political rights scheduled for 4 November. More details, including recordings of the past sessions are available on the website of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad.


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Art Residency – Fifth Switzerland 2026: The Art Residency of the Fifth Switzerland 2026 is a cultural exchange project by the Stiftung Auslandschweizerplatz, offering Swiss artists living abroad a great opportunity to reconnect artistically with Switzerland, gain visibility, and engage with the Swiss community. Swiss artists abroad can apply for a four-week residency in Brunnen (focus on sculpture). Applications are open until 9 November 2025 more details see resi5.ch.


Information from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Laurent Perriard

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  • The Consular Directorate within the FDFA provides services to Swiss citizens abroad, accessible via Swiss representations or the FDFA Helpline. 

  • Cooperation with the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad covers key areas such as voting, vaccinations (could be sent to Swiss Abroad if there was a next pandemic), and e-ID. The foundation is the Swiss Abroad Act, in force since 2015 and initiated by former member of parliament and now president of OSA, Filippo Lombardi.

  • Guiding principles are personal responsibility and subsidiarity - Swiss citizens abroad are expected to plan responsibly, with consular assistance provided only as a subsidiary measure.

  • Services include Ageing Abroad retirement guidance, the Swissintouch app, online resources and country dossiers, the FDFA Helpline, and webinars in cooperation with OSA and Soliswiss.

  • Challenges are similar to those of OSA: growing numbers of Swiss Abroad, crisis management, rising expectations, budget constraints, and digitalisation/AI.


Internal improvements within OSA

  • The working group Lobbying/Communication will continue its work, strengthening ties with cantonal authorities to make the interests of the Swiss Abroad better known. Outgoing delegate Katja Wallimann Gates was a member of this group, and CarmenTrochsler contributes as a Board member.

  • Review of the legal framework and the legal structure of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad. The goal is to clarify and simplify the set of regulations and to ensure that the legal structure and governance allows OSA to carry out its tasks effectively and respond flexibly to changed needs and environments. Carmen Trochsler is a member of this working group.


The next meeting will be in Bern on 19th and 20th March 2026.


Further Links


September 2025, Beat Knoblauch, Thomas Hofer & Carmen Trochsler








 

 
 
 

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