Assistance abroad

Swiss nationals abroad who are unable to cover their living expenses from their own resources, private contributions or assistance from their country of residence can submit an application for financial support to the Social Aid Scheme for Swiss Citizens Abroad (SSA) via their Swiss representation (embassy or consulate). The types of assistance are governed by Section 4 (Art. 22 – 37) of the Swiss Abroad Act (SAA). 

In certain emergency situations, an application for assistance to return to Switzerland can also be submitted: an information sheet is available in DE, FR and IT

In some countries there are Swiss charitable organisations that support Swiss citizens who find themselves in financial difficulties. Your local Swiss representation can advise you whether such charitable organisations exist in your region.

The E.O. Kilcher Fund principally pursues three different purposes.

First purpose: Promoting the education in Switzerland of young Swiss citizens living abroad

• Use of funds: Education grants to young Swiss Abroad who are studying in Switzerland, usually in the form of loans.
• Conditions: Dependent on study at a recognised educational institution in Switzerland; the young person is between 15 and 25 years of age; the parents are resident abroad and cannot cover the totality of the fees during the course of the education themselves; the scholarships are in principle subsidiary to the scholarships granted by the home canton.
• Procedure: Our partner organisation educationsuisse is responsible for requests for training grants. The application form can be requested here: info@educationsuisse.ch
   

Second purpose: Start-up assistance for returnees to cover emergencies

• Use of funds: For language courses, vocational integration courses, purchase of furniture or clothes.
• Conditions: Subsidiary to the social assistance provided by the place of residence.
• Procedure: The OSA Legal Service considers requests and sends an application form if the conditions are met. Enquiries to: info@swisscommunity.org
   

An additional form of funding in rare cases: Where an elderly person has never been to Switzerland or has not been there for decades and would like to visit relatives or friends one last time.

• Use of funds: The aim is to provide one-off financial support to enable elderly Swiss citizens abroad in need to travel to Switzerland.
• Conditions:  The person must be of an advanced age, have never been to Switzerland or have not been in Switzerland for a very long time and be unable to finance the trip from their own resources. The application will be reviewed in consultation with the responsible Swiss representation.
• Procedure:  The OSA Legal Service considers requests and sends an application form if the conditions are met. Enquiries to: info@swisscommunity.org

Purpose: Funds to promote the education of young Swiss Abroad as well as contributions to the advisory work of educationsuisse.

• Use of funds: Support contributions and scholarships for young people who are completing an apprenticeship or training programme.
• Conditions: Subsidiary to public aid and other private sources of aid.
• Procedure: Our partner organisation educationsuisse is responsible for requests for training grants. The application form can be requested here: info@educationsuisse.ch

The Heinrich Huber Fund principally pursues two purposes:

First purpose: to promote the education of young Swiss Abroad in Switzerland

• Use of funds: Education grants to young Swiss Abroad who are studying in Switzerland, usually in the form of loans.
• Conditions: Dependent on study at a recognised educational institution in Switzerland; the young person is between 15 and 25 years of age; the parents are resident abroad and cannot cover the totality of the fees during the course of the education themselves; the scholarships are in principle subsidiary to the scholarships granted by the home canton.
• Procedure:  Our partner organisation educationsuisse is responsible for requests for training grants. The application form can be requested here: info@educationsuisse.ch

Second purpose: Help for Swiss citizens and relatives in emergency situations  

• Use of funds: Individual financial assistance to cover emergencies, in cooperation with the Social Assistance for Swiss Abroad section of the FDFA.
• Conditions:  Subsidiary to public aid and other private sources of aid; support usually one-off.
• Procedure: Enquiries should be sent to the OSA Legal Service: info@swisscommunity.org

Purpose: This fund supports Swiss nationals abroad who have been affected by a natural disaster and are in need of emergency aid in their adopted country.

• Use of funds: Contribution to private reconstruction (no support for the reconstruction of commercial facilities, unless the individual’s existence is directly threatened).
• Conditions: Subsidiary to aid in the host country, claims relating to natural disasters only, applications must be submitted within 6 months.
• Procedure: The OSA Legal Service considers requests and sends an application form if the conditions are met. The application must be submitted to the relevant Swiss representation. Enquiries should be sent to: info@swisscommunity.org