Swiss Passport Application Guide 2026: Eligibility & Costs

Before diving into the details, consider this light‑hearted observation: the iconic red Swiss passport with the little white cross is both a passport document and, as an insider joke, a big PLUS.

This application guide shares practical tips and insights so that navigating Swiss bureaucracy doesn’t feel like climbing the Matterhorn.

Eligibility to Apply for a Swiss Passport (2026 Guide)

Becoming eligible for a Swiss passport depends on how you obtained your citizenship. If you were born to a Swiss parent, you already hold the right of blood (jus sanguinis) and can apply for your passport without any residency requirement.

Naturalized citizens, on the other hand, must meet a number of prerequisites:

• 10 years of residence in Switzerland (of which three must be in the last five years)
• Permanent residence permit (C permit)
• Language proficiency at B1 oral and A2 written levels
• Proof of integration into Swiss society

Marriage to a Swiss citizen shortens the residency requirement to five years, but you still need to show integration and language ability.

Specifically, you need to demonstrate adequate language skills in one of the four official Swiss languages, respect Swiss laws, and take part in community life.

Demonstrating proof of integration goes beyong ticking a box. Some Swiss authorities pay close attention to the activities and motivation of applicants: Did they enrol in language classes? Are they a part of a local hobby club? Do they know the name of the local pub?

Some readers who've gone through the process have told us that the language test can feel nerve‑wracking. But steady practice and conversations with neighbors and coworkers helped them get better.

If you are still working on your residency status, our article on how to get your Swiss C Permit provides step‑by‑step advice and personal anecdotes. Those curious about the naturalization interview can read my editorial about a questionable Swiss citizenship interview. It goes to show how the questions can sometimes feel arbitrary...

For minors, the requirements are simpler. Children of Swiss citizens acquire citizenship automatically and can receive a passport upon request.

Adopted children are also eligible once the adoption is legally recognized. For naturalized minors, the same residence and integration criteria apply but with an emphasis on school attendance and community participation.

Please note that this is a guide that brings together years of knowledge from researching Switzerland. But it is no binding script. So, if you feel unsure about your status, definitely contact your local commune or cantonal migration office.

Preparation: Documents and Biometric Requirements

Once you meet the eligibility criteria, gather the necessary documents before starting your application.

You will need a valid identity card or residence permit, a birth certificate showing your parentage, and proof of Swiss citizenship or naturalization.

If you are married, include a marriage certificate; divorced applicants may need to supply divorce papers.

For naturalized citizens, bring your naturalization decree or citizenship certificate. When applying for children, you must present the parents’ passports and proof of legal guardianship.

Modern Swiss passports contain a biometric chip. At the Passbüro or embassy appointment, officials will take your digital photograph and scan two fingerprints. These biometrics are stored securely on the chip and are used to verify your identity at border control.

The passport also contains a digital signature unique to each document, making forgery practically impossible. To ensure a smooth appointment, wear dark clothing for your photo and avoid glasses or headwear unless required for religious reasons. If you are renewing your passport, bring the old one so the authorities can cancel it on the spot.

At the Passbüro Zürich, appointments typically take around 20 minutes. Staff check documents, capture biometrics and provide an opportunity to review the digital data before finalising. Arriving prepared makes the process surprisingly efficient.

To visualize the new security features, check our feature Passport forgery? Not with the new Swiss passport! It explains how watermarked paper, laser‑engraved photos and encrypted chips protect your identity.

Applying from within Switzerland

Applying for your passport in Switzerland is straightforward once you know the steps:

1. Create an account on the Swiss government’s online portal, Schweizerpass, or call your cantonal Passbüro. Register using your personal data and select your canton.
2. Select the service (“passport only”, “ID card only” or “passport + ID card”) and fill in the online questionnaire. Pay the applicable fee via credit card or e-banking.
3. Book an appointment at your local passport office. Choose a time and date within a few weeks. Bring all required documents and your payment confirmation.
4. Attend the appointment. Officials will verify your documents, capture your biometric photo and fingerprints, and let you sign electronically.
5. Receive your passport. It arrives by registered mail in about 10 working days. You must sign the receipt and present your old passport for cancellation.

If you have mobility issues or live in a remote area, some cantons offer mobile biometric stations that come to your home or municipality.

The combined passport + ID card offer is convenient if both documents are about to expire, and the fees are slightly lower than purchasing them separately. Choosing the combo allows you to receive both documents at once and save some francs along the way.

Applying from Abroad: Swiss Embassies and Consulates

Swiss citizens living abroad can apply for a passport at their nearest Swiss embassy or consulate. The procedure is similar to the domestic process but with a few important differences:

• Register with your local representation. If you move abroad, you must register with the Swiss embassy or consulate in your country of residence. This registration allows you to apply for documents and vote in federal elections.
• Complete the online application using the same portal, or contact the embassy directly by phone or email. Embassies often require advance payment via bank transfer.
• Submit documents by mail or in person. Some embassies ask you to send copies of your documents beforehand. Others schedule an appointment for biometric data capture.
• Attend the biometric appointment. Similar to Switzerland, your photo and fingerprints will be taken. Children under twelve may be exempt from fingerprinting.
• Wait longer for delivery. Processing abroad takes up to 30 days because documents are produced in Switzerland and mailed via diplomatic channels.

Swiss citizens living abroad report that consulate staff emphasise the importance of registering your current address and that the process can take several weeks. For those living outside Switzerland, our article on how to get a Swiss residence permit for non‑EU citizens offers additional insight into navigating Swiss bureaucracy from afar.

Fees, Validity and Combined Offers

Understanding the costs and validity periods helps you budget and plan renewals. The following table summarizes the official fees:

Document	Adults (CHF)	Minors (CHF)	Validity	Notes
Passport (Pass)	140	60	10 years (adults) / 5 years (minors)	Standard biometric passport.
ID Card (Identitätskarte)	70	35	10 years (adults) / 5 years (minors)	No biometric chip; cannot be used to travel outside Europe.
Combined Offer (Pass + ID)	148	68	10 years (adults) / 5 years (minors)	Slightly cheaper than purchasing separately.

The above prices do not include postage. Within Switzerland, expect to pay an additional CHF 5 to 10 for registered mail. When applying abroad, consulates charge extra for shipping and currency conversion. Payment is usually accepted via credit card or invoice.

Remember that the passport and ID remain valid until their expiry dates, even if you move abroad or change your name.

If you are concerned about cost, note that minors can receive an ID card for less than half the adult price. Ordering a combined pass and ID for a child can save a few francs and ensures both documents expire simultaneously.

For an interesting look at how Swiss money is designed and printed, see Money, Money, Money – Everything about the Swiss bank notes; it also highlights the role of Orell Füssli in security printing.

Strength and Ranking of the Swiss Passport (2026 Update)

The Swiss passport opens doors around the world. According to the renowned Henley Passport Index, Swiss citizens enjoy visa‑free access to around 186 countries and visa‑on‑arrival access to roughly 40 more.

Switzerland consistently ranks among the top ten passports globally, often just below countries like Germany, Japan and Singapore. In 2026, the Swiss passport is ranked third globally.

Fun fact: The “mobility score” reflects the ease of travel and the trust other nations place in Swiss documents.

Owning a Swiss passport also means shorter lines at airports that participate in automated border control. At major airports with automated eGate systems, Swiss passport holders can often pass through border control more quickly.

They can also benefit from simplified visa applications for countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia. Dual citizenship is allowed in Switzerland, so naturalized citizens can retain their original nationality unless their home country prohibits it.

If you are curious about how other passports are ranked, I can highly recommend playing around the Henley Passport Index website. While rankings change annually, Switzerland’s position seems to remain high. That's likely because of political stability and a rather strong economy. What do you think?

New Design and Security Features of the Swiss Passport

The Swiss passport introduced in late 2022 combines Swiss design with cutting‑edge security. Every page tells a story about the country’s landscapes, while high‑tech measures protect against forgery.

As the official printer, Orell Füssli has incorporated microtext, UV‑reactive inks and transparent windows. The biometric chip embedded in the hinge stores your photo, fingerprints and signature. Only authorised border guards can read this data, and it is encrypted to prevent tampering.

The passport’s pages are printed on watermarked paper that resists tearing and moisture. Laser‑engraved photographs and tactile relief printing further complicate counterfeiting. A unique digital signature is included in each document to verify authenticity electronically.

These features are explained in depth in our feature Passport forgery? Not with the new Swiss passport!, which also showcases high‑resolution images of the new design:

The new passport is all about Swiss design principles such as simplicity, precision and functionality. Each page shows a different Swiss landscape, from alpine peaks to city skylines, drawn in a minimalist style.

If you look closely, you will find subtle references to national legends and folk art hidden in the microprint. And if you appreciate design, you might enjoy our guide on Swiss design which explores how these principles influence everything from typography to travel documents.

Renewals, Lost Passports and Useful Addresses

Passports should be renewed six months before expiry to avoid travel disruptions. Trust me, we've heard from plenty of readers who forgot to renew their passports and asked for advice on expediting their applications.

To make matters simple, the renewal process is identical to a first‑time application. You need to complete the online form, pay the fee, book a biometrics appointment and submit your old passport. That's it!

If your passport is lost or stolen, report it immediately to the police and contact your cantonal passport office or nearest Swiss embassy. You will be issued a replacement passport once the loss is verified. But the police report is key, or else it will delay everything.

To get you moving across borders, there may be emergency travel documents (Provisorischer Pass or Notpass). But these temporary passports are usually only issued for very urgent journeys.

The Passbüro Zürich is located at Werdstrasse 75, 8004 Zürich. Here's the official list of cantonal passport offices, including addresses and websites.

For Swiss citizens abroad, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) maintains a list of embassies and consulates on its website. You can find the list on the official FDFA website.

Important advice: Always keep digital copies of your passport and important documents in a secure location; they are invaluable when applying for a replacement.

If you recently became a Swiss citizen, remember that old passports from your previous nationality remain valid until expiry unless you renounce that citizenship. Renewing early does not shorten the validity of your current passport. You simply receive a new document with a fresh expiry date.

On a practical note: Schedule your appointment outside school holidays when Passbüros are less busy. Some of our readers report that appointments outside peak seasons take only fifteen minutes, whereas those who go during busy holiday periods may wait over an hour.

Frequently Asked Questions