Swiss Passport

Question 9 of 350 · Elections and popular votes

What political rights do Swiss citizens living abroad have?

Welche politischen Rechte haben Schweizerinnen und Schweizer, die im Ausland leben?

Correct answer: C

  1. AThey may take part in votes and elections when they are visiting Switzerland.Sie dürfen an Abstimmungen und Wahlen teilnehmen, wenn sie in der Schweiz zu Besuch sind.
  2. BThey lose all political rights in Switzerland.Sie verlieren alle politischen Rechte in der Schweiz.
  3. CThey can take part in national votes and elections without having to travel to Switzerland to do so.Sie können an nationalen Abstimmungen und Wahlen teilnehmen, ohne deswegen in die Schweiz reisen zu müssen.
  4. DThey may not be politically active in any way in their host country.Sie dürfen sich im Gastland in keiner Weise politisch engagieren.

Why

Swiss citizens living abroad keep the right to vote and elect at federal level. The documents arrive by post; in some cantons e-voting is also possible.

Common mistakes

A: They may take part in votes and elections when they are visiting Switzerland.
A visit to Switzerland is not necessary. You vote from abroad by post.
B: They lose all political rights in Switzerland.
People who emigrate remain Swiss citizens and keep their political rights.
D: They may not be politically active in any way in their host country.
Switzerland does not forbid them to be active in their host country. That is governed by the law of the host country.

Topic

Swiss citizens abroad

More than 800'000 Swiss citizens live abroad. They are called Swiss abroad or the «Fifth Switzerland». They keep their citizenship and their political rights. They may take part in national popular votes and elections, even if they have not lived in Switzerland for many years.

Having a say: rights and obligations · Elections and popular votes

Sources

Official question of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.