Residence Permit; Application for an Electronic Residence Permit

Since September 1, 2011, the residence permit, the settlement permit, the EU long-term residence permit, and the EU Blue Card, as well as the residence card and the long-term residence card, have generally been issued as electronic residence permits (eAT). Residence permits for Swiss nationals and their family members are issued as electronic residence permits upon application.

If there is a legitimate interest, the residence permit issued in the form of a sticker in the passport may, upon application to the competent immigration authority, be replaced by an electronic residence permit (eAT). The existing residence permits in passports and passport substitutes remain valid until August 31, 2021, at the latest.

The electronic residence permit is a plastic card in credit-card format. It contains a contactless chip inside the card on which personal data, biometric features (a photograph and two fingerprints), and, if applicable, additional conditions (requirements) are stored. In addition, the chip enables the use of electronic proof of identity and a qualified electronic signature.

For people with visual impairments, Braille stickers bearing the inscription “ad” (identification document) can be applied to the back of the eAT to help them distinguish it from other credit-card-sized cards (see “Further Links”).

Detailed information on the electronic use of the card (e.g., online ID function, signature function) can be found on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (see “Further Links”).

• Fees for issuing or renewing the respective residence permit: see "Related Topics"
• Reissuance of the electronic residence permit (e.g., upon receiving a new passport): 67 euros