Since July 1, 1992, Swiss nationals living abroad have been able to participate in political life in Switzerland (i.e., in votes on federal proposals and in National Council elections) without having to travel to Switzerland.

As a Swiss national resident abroad, you can exercise your political rights by mail from another country if you:

• have moved abroad
• are at least 18 years old, and
• are registered with a Swiss representation abroad (also referred to as "a consular post")

If you meet the above-mentioned requirements, you should register with your consular post either in writing or in person. The relevant "Registration as an Expatriate Swiss National Entitled to Vote" form can be given to you or sent by mail. You are free to choose your place of origin or a previous place of residence as your electoral community. The completed form must be sent to the Swiss representation.

Some cantons have introduced a central electoral register for expatriate Swiss nationals. If that is the case in your canton, your vote would not be counted in the electoral community you designated, but in the community where the central electoral register is held. To date the following cantons have introduced a central electoral register: Appenzell Inner Rhodes, Basel City, Geneva, Lucerne and Vaud.

The electoral community you designate will confirm your entry in the electoral register in writing.

You must confirm your registration within four years of your first registration. You can do this:

• In writing or in person with your electoral community
• By informing the Swiss consular post well in advance if you move to another address within the same consular district, or
• By putting your valid signature on a federal initiative or a referendum petition

You must reconfirm your vote registration every four years. If you fail to confirm your registration before the expiration of the four-year deadline, you will be removed from the electoral register. However, you can reregister at any time.

Voting Papers and Participating in the Vote
Before each federal vote or election, your electoral community will mail you the official voting papers and the Federal Council commentary.

a) From abroad

You should place your completed ballot in the special envelope provided. It should be sealed and placed, with the cantonal identity card where necessary, in the postal envelope. You must stamp this second envelope yourself and send it by mail to your electoral community.

The voting regulations may differ from canton to canton. You are therefore advised to carefully read the relevant instructions from your electoral community.

Please note that the Confederation cannot guarantee that the foreign postal system will function correctly. You must bear the risk that the voting papers could arrive late at your address abroad or that your ballot paper could arrive late at the electoral community.

b) In Switzerland

If you are in Switzerland during a vote or election, you can vote in person either at the polling station or by mail. However, if you wish to vote at the polling station, your electoral community must be informed of your stay in Switzerland at least six weeks before election day, so that it can prepare your voting papers which you must pick up during office hours.

If, as a Swiss national resident abroad, you wish to sign federal popular petitions, you can request the material directly from the relevant initiative or referendum committee and sign at your place of residence abroad. On the list of signatures, you must indicate your electoral community and the relevant canton, along with your personal information; your residential address abroad is regarded as your place of residence. If you are staying in Switzerland, you can also add your signature to the lists in your electoral community. The "Swiss Review" regularly publishes the addresses of the various initiative and referendum committees.

In certain states, participation in the political life of another country can involve sanctions and/or, in the case of dual nationals, result in the loss of the non-Swiss citizenship.

Only the authorities in your country of residence can give reliable information on the subject.