App aims to connect Swiss community abroad

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is launching a new app for Swiss citizens abroad. According to a press release, it can be downloaded from the swissintouch.ch website.

President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis explained as he launched the app at the Congress of the Swiss Abroad in Lugano in August: “As the name SwissInTouch suggests, this new tool aims to make dialogue and exchange easier”. Among other things, the app should make it easier for users to stay in touch with their embassy and the FDFA’s head office.

According to the FDFA, currently embassies and consulates above all use channels such as written communications, newsletters, social networks, and events to keep in contact. The new app aims to not only simplify exchange but also make it more systematic. For example, foreign representatives can use the app to send messages directly to the Swiss community abroad in their consular district. In future, communications could also be switched off for selected groups.

There is no need for registration according to the FDFA. However, some functions require an account, for example scheduling consular service appointments.