r/Switzerland • u/Equivalante-hz • 1d ago

What qualifies as an "emergency" for Swiss citizens with dual nationality when applying for social assistance?

Hi everyone, Im a Swiss citizen with dual nationality and currently living in a different country. I reached out to the Swiss consulate for social assistance, and they mentioned that in urgent cases, Swiss nationality takes precedence when applying for help. However, Im unclear on what qualifies as an "emergency" under this guideline and they refuse to specify.

Could anyone with experience or knowledge of Swiss social assistance rules share their insights on what kinds of situations might be considered urgent enough for assistance?

Thanks in advance

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u/rainbow4enby 1d ago edited 1d ago

There are two different things:

Emergency help / assistance

https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/de/home/vertretungen-und-reisehinweise/laenderunabhaengigereiseinformationen/hilfe-im-ausland.html

This is especially thought as emergency-assistance if you are Swiss, abroad (temporary or not), have an emergency, no funds at hand and no other help of any kind... financial contributions are usually granted in the form of a loan.

Swiss social welfare for Swiss abroad (SAS)

Normally, people with double citizenship are not eligible for this. If you are residing in a country with no social welfare of any kind and your other nationality does not offer any other help, things might be different. This is medium/long-term help for people living abroad, that also do not have funds to eventually come back to Switzerland.

Details see here:

https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/de/home/das-eda/organisation-deseda/direktionen-abteilungen/konsularische-direktion/sozialhilfe-ausland.html

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u/Equivalante-hz 1d ago

Thanks for the info! I’m trying to apply for SAS, and I noticed in the link you sent that mentions that in urgent cases, Swiss nationality can take precedence. Do you know how they evaluate these urgent situations?
Art. 16 Multiple nationalities (Art. 25 SAA)

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u/rainbow4enby 1d ago edited 1d ago

"Urgent" means urgent - like your existence and very basic requirements (food, medical, eventually at least adequate emergency housing) are completely at stake. It will largely also depend on your other nationalities, the country you are staying (and their social or lack of social system), etc etc.

You can at least try if your specific situation meets their criteria for a one time or periodic (up to 12 months, then re-application) support.

Please note: The SAS is - just as welfare in domestic Switzerland - mainly designed as temporary bridge and not designed as a permanent solution; it should help to cover your cost while you can sort out social & economic life to stand again "on your own feet"; welfare payments are a debt that has (to a certain extent) be paid back once you acquire again "wealth" above the bare minimum.

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u/Equivalante-hz 5h ago

thanks! 🙏

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u/TheKannagi 1d ago edited 1d ago

https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/de/home/asyl/sozialhilfesubventionen/nothilfe.html

They speak about being able to live a dignified life in matters of food, clothing and shelter. So I guess if you are lacking in one of these three categories to a degree that you'd starve/become homeless you can ask them.

Be aware that this way of putting it probably means that there needs to be a certain severity to the case and not just any normal difficulty counts.

Good luck and stay strong!

Edit: Please ignore my website. The other response is more accurate.

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u/rainbow4enby 1d ago edited 1d ago

Note: The link you provided has nothing to do with OPs situation (its for foreign people migrating / staying in Switzerland); it only defines what is the bare (extreme) minimum to Swiss standards (outside of welfare system).

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u/TheKannagi 1d ago

Thank you for pointing that out. Your answer is better!