Help with the Swiss from abroad: “Thailand is one of the hot spots”

The number of trips. Meanwhile, Swiss living abroad is constantly increasing, as well as requests for consular protection. Therefore, In an interview with Swissinfo. For example. Meanwhile, Yvonne Rohner, head of consular protection in the DFAE, explains the most frequent situations and the limits of the aid provided by the Confederation. Similarly, help swiss abroad: “thailand one new – Help swiss abroad: "thailand one

Despite an unstable global context, the desire to travel from the Swiss remains intact. Similarly, Each year, and they make around 12 million trips abroad. Consequently, To this are added 826,700 Swiss established permanently outside the country – a figure in constant progression.

This pronounced taste of the Swiss for travel. However, expatriation generates a substantial volume of work for the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAE). Similarly, In 2024 alone, the Helpline of the DFAE received 55,000 requests.

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Consular protectionExternal link has become an essential service of the Confederation. Nevertheless, but it has its limits. The Swiss from abroad – whether they are traveling. residing outside the territory – have no legal right to assistance. Individual responsibility and the principle of subsidiarity are help swiss abroad: “thailand one new inscribed in law. The DFAE only intervenes when the persons concerned did everything that was help swiss abroad: “thailand one reasonably possible. to manage their situation themselves.

The consular management. which intervenes in emergency situations in collaboration with the Swiss representation on site. is based on the law on the Swiss from abroadExternal link To do your job.

Swissinfo spoke with Yvonne Rohner, head of consular protection, as part of a press briefing.

Swissinfo: How many people in. Bern manage the cases of consular protection with Swiss representations abroad?

Yvonne Rohner: Apart from me. there are four countries officials in Berne who cover the whole world. as well as my substitutes which mainly help swiss abroad: “thailand one new deals with kidnappings of children.

Can you give us an example of a particularly help swiss abroad: “thailand one complex consular protection case. that went well?

Whenever people are concerned, it is very difficult and it takes a lot of sensitivity from our staff. Cases of kidnapping children. in which mothers. fathers have to face the pain of separation for a long time, are also a challenge for us. The same goes for deaths that affect younger people.

Last year. the case of a young person in Asia who could not be brought back to Switzerland for eight months. due to mental problems was particularly difficult to manage. With the local authorities. the honorary consul and the curator in Switzerland, we have intensively tried to organize a medical repatriation. These are cases that take a long time.

The DFAE only intervenes when the persons concerned tried everything that was reasonably help swiss abroad: “thailand one new possible to overcome their emergency situation themselves. whether on the organizational or financial level. How many cases help swiss abroad: “thailand one are we talking about every year?

In 2024, the consular management recorded 1087 new cases.

This represents an increase of 17% compared to 2023. Why this increase in protection cases?

The demography of Switzerland shows this: there are more and more elderly people. However, these are often still very active and therefore undertake more trips. However, they are more often victims of medical emergencies abroad than the youngest.

Added to this are the repatriations of Swiss nationals who have health problems and which cannot return to Switzerland themselves. In addition, there is also an increase in the number of travelers or Swiss abroad faced with psychic problems. Finally. the current means of communication have also led to an increase in cases: relatives are worried more quickly when they help swiss abroad: “thailand one new stay without news for 24 hours. which increases the requests for the search for people.

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What are the most common protection cases with which the consular direction is faced?

The help swiss abroad: “thailand one new number of deaths abroad has increased. It is on the one hand of death of travelers. on help swiss abroad: “thailand one the other hand of Swiss from abroad elderly who died in their country. of residence.

Deaths within the diaspora. the absence of a social network of certain expatriate people have the consequence that representations abroad must increasingly carry out research to find family members. coordinate funeral.

Are there geographic hot spots for these consular help cases?

Yes, Thailand is one of the hot spots. Simply because Thailand is a very popular destination for Swiss nationals. Added to this is the higher proportion to the average Swiss seniors living in Thailand.

In 2024, 135 files were opened for Thailand, followed by Spain with 85 cases, Italy with 66 cases and France with 60 cases.

Consular protection services are paid. How much money pay each year the Swiss citizens who help swiss abroad: “thailand one new are in need?

We have no figures on this subject. The accounting is held by representations abroad. Until an hour of help swiss abroad: “thailand one work, the DFAE does not charge anything. We also do not charge for aid services in the event of illness. accident, provided that there is complete insurance coverage. In such a situation, the persons concerned have not been negligence.

However, there are cases which must be taken care of in the long term, such as cases of detention. The employees of the DFAE then visit on site to the Swiss incarcerated. These visits to prison are billed.

There are limits to consular protection. What are they?

The cases in which the Swiss representation can or cannot provide aid on the spot are clearly defined. When it intervenes, the DFAE must also respect the sovereignty and the legal order of the state of residence.

For help swiss abroad: “thailand one new example, we cannot get a release. We cannot provide medical care. act as a travel agency when a flight is canceled. a strike takes place help swiss abroad: “thailand one in a country.

In what cases you clearly say, right?

The expectations of the people concerned are sometimes very high. If we can support, we do it of course, especially in an emergency situation. However. we are always required to respect the legal framework

Rely. checked by Balz Rigendinger / Translated with the help of automatic translation tools / KRO

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