In accordance with Swiss law, every Swiss male must fulfill military service obligations from the age of 20 on. This principle also applies to Swiss men who reside abroad. However, allowance is made for their particular situation and the military obligations of Swiss nationals living abroad are governed by separate regulations.

Authorization to Stay Abroad (Auslandurlaub / congé pour l'étranger)
 
Swiss men who are subject to military service obligations and who live abroad for an uninterrupted period of more than 12 months require an “Auslandurlaub” (exemption from service while abroad). They must apply for this from the relevant District Command (Kreiskommando) and then notify the Section Controller (Sektionskontrollführer) of their departure. The service booklet is deposited with the District Commander. Persons living abroad who have these papers are exempt from military service for the duration of the period spent abroad. Every Swiss male who does not fulfill his military obligations, or only partially fulfills them, through military service must pay taxes in place of military service. When exemption papers are issued, an adequate tax is levied from the District Command.

Young Swiss Registered Abroad

Young Swiss men registered with the relevant diplomatic post are required to register individually in the year in which they reach their 18th birthday. If they can prove that they have lived abroad for more than 3 years, they receive a fact sheet on military service (Wehrpflichtblatt / fiche militaire) which informs them of their military obligations, particularly if they take up residence in Switzerland. As long as they live abroad, they do not have any military obligations.

Recruit School (Rekrutenschule / école de recrue)

It is possible for young Swiss men to complete the 15-week course at a military training school (“Rekrutenschule”) on a voluntary basis. This usually takes place at the age of 20. However, voluntary attendance at a military training school is subject to various conditions; in particular, applicants may not be nationals of the state in which they reside. For further information, please consult the websites on the right side of this page or contact the competent Swiss representation.