The Council of the Swiss Abroad
The Council of the Swiss Abroad (CSA) represents the interests of Swiss citizens abroad vis-à-vis the authorities and the public in Switzerland. The CSA is thus often referred to as the “Parliament of the Fifth Switzerland”.
The Council of the Swiss Abroad meets thrice per year. At their meetings, the delegates discuss Swiss Abroad policy questions as well as current political topics concerning the Swiss Abroad. They make decisions and determine opinions and resolutions which are then submitted to the competent authorities.
Members & Seat allocation
The CSA consists of 140 delegates.
List of delegates
The 120 members abroad represent the Swiss Abroad in their respective country. Delegates may be supported by deputies. Deputies take the place of delegates and participate in meetings if delegates are unable to attend.
The domestic members are individuals from the political, economic and cultural fields with a special interest in the Fifth Switzerland.
Two CSA seats are reserved for young Swiss Abroad. They are currently occupied by members of the Youth Parliament of the Swiss Abroad (YPSA).
Seat allocation for the term of office 2025-2029
The seat allocation reflects the number of Swiss nationals abroad in each country and is periodically redefined based on the current Swiss Abroad Statistics of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.
| Continent | Country / Constituency | Seats 2025–2029 |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | France | 12 |
| Germany | 8 | |
| Italy | 6 | |
| Great Britain | 5 | |
| Spain | 4 | |
| Austria | 3 | |
| Netherlands | 2 | |
| Belgium | 2 | |
| Portugal | 2 | |
| Sweden | 2 | |
| Turkey | 2 | |
| Liechtenstein | 1 | |
| Greece and Cyprus | 1 | |
| Denmark | 1 | |
| Norway | 1 | |
| Hungary | 1 | |
| Finland | 1 | |
| Ireland | 1 | |
| Czech Republic and Slovakia | 1 | |
| Luxembourg | 1 | |
Baltic States and Poland • Estonia EU East – Other Countries • Belarus | 1 | |
Western Balkans • Albania | 1 | |
Eastern Balkans • Bulgaria | 1 | |
| Americas | USA | 8 |
| Canada | 6 | |
| Argentina | 3 | |
| Brazil | 3 | |
| Chile | 2 | |
| Mexico | 2 | |
| Peru | 1 | |
| Colombia | 1 | |
| Ecuador and Bolivia | 1 | |
| Paraguay and Uruguay | 1 | |
Caribbean and South America • Antigua and Barbuda | 1 | |
Central America • Costa Rica | 1 | |
| Asia | Israel | 4 |
| Thailand | 2 | |
| Philippines | 1 | |
| United Arab Emirates | 1 | |
| China | 1 | |
| Singapore | 1 | |
| Japan | 1 | |
| Hong Kong and Macao | 1 | |
Central, Western and South Asia • Saudi Arabia South Asia • Azerbaijan Central Asia • Afghanistan | 1 | |
East and Southeast Asia • North Korea Southeast Asia • Brunei | 1 | |
| Oceania | Australia | 4 |
| New Zealand | 2 | |
| Africa | South Africa and Namibia | 2 |
| Egypt | 1 | |
| Tunisia and Libya | 1 | |
| Morocco and Algeria | 1 | |
East Africa • Burundi | 1 | |
West Africa • Benin | 1 | |
Central and Southern Africa • Angola | 1 | |
| YPSA | Youth Parliament of the Swiss Abroad | 2 |
Voting procedure
Members abroad: The umbrella organisation or Swiss clubs in this country determine the voting procedure. The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad is working to ensure that all Swiss Abroad are able to cast their vote for candidates of their choice (active voting right) or to offer themselves as candidates and for election (passive voting right).
Domestic members: They are recommended by the Executive Board and elected by the CSA.
Achievements
The Council of the Swiss Abroad can look back on numerous achievements. These include:
- The enshrining of the Swiss Abroad in the Federal Constitution (Art. 40 BV)
- The creation of a Swiss Abroad Act (SAA; SR 195.1)
- The introduction of the voting and electoral rights for Swiss abroad
- The continuance of the voluntary old-age and survivors’ insurance/invalidity insurance (OASI/DI)