NEW SWISS PASSPORT 31.10.

2022
Question Answer
Theme and Design
What is the theme of the passport? The new Swiss passport is a reflection of Switzerland:
traditional but cosmopolitan at the same time. Water
shapes and forms the Swiss landscape, symbolising life
and motion. The new passport invites you on a virtual
journey through the country’s 26 cantons, from the Alpine
peaks down to the valleys.
Why this theme? The new Swiss passport is a reflection of Switzerland:
traditional but cosmopolitan at the same time. Water
shapes and forms the Swiss landscape, symbolising life
and motion. Cantonal flags and architectural landmarks
highlight Switzerland's rich cultural and historical
heritage. The Pizzo Rotondo, in the heart of the country,
is a symbol of Switzerland's multilingualism. Beyond the
country's borders, the Swiss community abroad is
represented on its own page. The virtual landscapes
depicted in the passport reflect Switzerland’s rich
geographical diversity and showcase its cartographic
tradition.
What’s different about the new passport? The entire passport has been redesigned. However, the
red cover, the concept of one visa page per canton
depicting its flag and a specific cantonal motif, as well as
the number of pages have all been retained. The
application procedure is also the same.
What mountain is depicted on page 1 and where is it It’s the Pizzo Rotondo, the highest peak in the Gotthard
situated? massif.
Why was Pizzo Rotondo chosen? Why the Gotthard Pizzo Rotondo was chosen because it is the highest point
massif? in the Gotthard massif. The Gotthard massif was chosen
because it is the source of Switzerland's largest rivers
and therefore combines both main design themes;
mountains and water.
Why are the cantons in the sequence they are? The sequence is based on the concept that the passport
is a journey through Switzerland, from its highest to
lowest point.
Where do the cantonal motifs come from? The cantonal motifs are based on those used in the
previous passport. They were adapted to the document’s
new design and approved by each cantonal
administration.
Why are the cantonal motifs no longer pictured? They are still there, but now they are only visible under
ultraviolet light.
What do the different coloured passport covers mean? Red: Standard passport, diplomatic passport and service
passport
Blue: Travel document
Green: Passport for foreigners

Security
Who issues the passport? The Swiss passport is issued by the Federal Department
of Justice and Police.
Where is it manufactured / printed? The companies Orell Füssli and Thales DIS Switzerland
print the individual components for the passport and
deliver them to the Federal Office for Buildings and
Logistics (FOBL), which assembles the passport booklet.
The booklet is then personalised and sent out.

1
Question Answer
Personalisation
Where is the passport number located ? The passport number is located in the upper right-hand
part of the personal data page and in the first eight
characters of the second line of text in the machine-
readable zone. It is also perforated through all the pages
of the passport and present on the back of the personal
data page.
What is the significance of the number on the first page The number on the inside cover is a booklet number,
(front inside cover)? which allows the passport to be clearly identified.
Where must I sign the passport? On the line provided on page 1.
What data is stored on the chip? Has anything changed The chip contains the following data: official surname,
compared with the old passport? first name(s), gender, date of birth, nationality, date of
expiry, passport number, type of passport, facial image
and two fingerprints. In terms of content, nothing has
changed from the old passport.
Who personalises the document? The Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics (FOBL)
personalises the document and sends it to the applicant.

Issuance procedure
I have just received a new passport. Do I have to renew it You do not need to renew it. All passports issued remain
already or is it still valid? valid until their expiry date.
How much does the new passport cost? The new Swiss passport costs CHF 140, plus CHF 5 for
postage.
Does my old passport allow for unrestricted travel? Yes, the passport is valid until the expiry data and can be
used for unrestricted travel, providing the country you
visit does not impose any further conditions regarding its
validity. Some countries, for example, require a passport
to be valid for six months after your travel date.
Yes, the combined offer will consist of the new Swiss
Is there still a combined offer for passports and identity cards?
passport and the identity card 03.
Has anything changed regarding the application The application procedure is the same: you must still
procedure? How and where do I order a new passport in apply for the passport at the cantonal passport office.
future?
How do Swiss people living abroad apply for the new Swiss people living abroad can still apply to their local
passport and identity card? Swiss representation for the new passport (and identity
card), as before.
Does the temporary passport still exist? Yes, the current temporary passport is still in use, but it
will be replaced by the new emergency passport at a later
date.
General questions
What documents belong to the new family of passports? The new family of documents comprises the standard
passport, the diplomatic passport, the service passport,
the travel document (for refugees), the passport for
foreigners and the temporary passport.
A new emergency passport will be introduced at a later
date to replace the current temporary passport.

What does ‘The Fifth Switzerland’ mean? Swiss nationals living abroad are often referred to as
‘The Fifth Switzerland’. The expression is based on the
four language regions of Switzerland in addition to the
750,000 or so Swiss living abroad, who make up an
important part of the Swiss population and who therefore
represent an additional region.
When will the new identity card be introduced? The rollout is scheduled for the first half of 2023.