New Swiss legitimation cards models as of 2 March 2026

The Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Office and other international organisations in Geneva has announced that, as of 2 March 2026, a new model of legitimation card will be issued to staff members and their family members living in Switzerland when they take up their duties or renew their cards.

It will be explicitly indicated that the card is a "residence permit" as well as the holder's passport number (see examples here). The new card will also specify that, when presented together with a valid travel document, they entitle the holder to reside in Switzerland and to enter Switzerland as well as the States of the Schengen area.

Current identity cards will remain valid until their expiry date. It will not be possible to exchange valid cards for the new model.

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