French Embassy in Bern

Embassy of France in Bern, Switzerland

The French Embassy in Bern serves as France's principal diplomatic mission to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, representing one of France's most significant bilateral relationships in Europe. Located in the Swiss capital, the embassy manages diplomatic relations between two neighboring nations sharing over 570 kilometers of border, a common language in Romandie (French-speaking Switzerland), and deeply interconnected economies with bilateral trade exceeding CHF 18 billion annually. France maintains extensive consular infrastructure in Switzerland with Consulates General in Geneva and Zurich providing services to approximately 200,000 French nationals residing in Switzerland, the largest French community in Europe outside France. The embassy also provides consular coverage for French overseas territories including Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Réunion, Mayotte, and other French collectivities, ensuring Swiss residents traveling to these destinations receive appropriate documentation guidance.

Visa Services

Swiss citizens as nationals of a Schengen-associated country enjoy freedom of movement to mainland France without visa requirements. However, French overseas territories maintain distinct entry requirements. Swiss travelers to **Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, and Réunion** (French overseas departments) may enter visa-free with valid passport or Swiss identity card for stays up to 90 days. For **Mayotte**, while part of France, Schengen agreements do NOT apply - Swiss citizens should verify current entry requirements. Other French overseas collectivities (**Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthélemy, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna, Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon**) have varying entry requirements. Swiss travelers should note that flights with stopovers at non-French territories may require passports with extended validity for transit. Visa inquiries handled through Consulates General in Geneva (2, cours des Bastions) and Zurich.

Consular Services

Consular services for French nationals in Switzerland are provided through the Consulates General in Geneva and Zurich rather than the Embassy in Bern. Services include passport applications and renewals, national identity cards (Carte Nationale d'Identité), emergency travel documents, civil status registration (births, marriages, deaths), French nationality matters, consular registration, electoral registration, document legalization, notarial services, and emergency assistance. The Service France consulaire operates Monday-Friday 9:00-17:00 via telephone (+41 22 567 95 59 Geneva, +41 43 547 80 41 Zurich). French nationals should register with consular services for emergency notifications and electoral participation.

Trade & Export Support

France and Switzerland maintain one of Europe's most dynamic bilateral trade relationships. France ranks among Switzerland's top trading partners, with bilateral exchanges exceeding CHF 18 billion annually. Key trade sectors include pharmaceuticals and life sciences, precision instruments and watchmaking components, machinery and industrial equipment, chemicals, agricultural products and food processing, financial services, and tourism. Major French companies operate throughout Switzerland while Swiss multinationals maintain significant presence in France. The Franco-Swiss Chamber of Commerce facilitates business connections between the two economies.

Cultural & Educational Programs

France and Switzerland share profound cultural and linguistic ties, with French serving as one of Switzerland's four national languages spoken across Romandie (Geneva, Vaud, Neuchâtel, Jura, and parts of Bern, Fribourg, Valais). Institut français Suisse promotes French culture through programming in major Swiss cities. Educational cooperation operates through numerous French schools in Switzerland, exchange programs, and university partnerships. The Alliance française network provides French language instruction. Scientific collaboration spans CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) headquartered in Geneva, university research partnerships, and joint innovation programs.

Service Area

The Embassy in Bern coordinates French diplomatic activities throughout Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Consular services are delivered through Consulates General: Geneva (serving Romandie - cantons Geneva, Vaud, Valais, Neuchâtel, Fribourg, Jura) and Zurich (serving German-speaking and Italian-speaking Switzerland - Zurich, Basel, Bern, Central and Eastern Switzerland, Ticino). Contact Service France consulaire for jurisdiction clarification.

Appointment Information

Embassy general inquiries: +41 31 359 21 11. Email: chancellerie.berne-amba@diplomatie.gouv.fr. Consular services require contact with appropriate Consulate General: Geneva (+41 22 567 95 59, 2 cours des Bastions, 1205 Genève) or Zurich (+41 43 547 80 41). Service France consulaire telephone hours: Monday-Friday 9:00-17:00.

Special Notes

The Embassy serves both Switzerland and Liechtenstein for diplomatic matters. Swiss travelers to French overseas territories (Martinique, Guadeloupe, Réunion, French Guiana, Mayotte, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthélemy) should verify specific entry requirements as Schengen rules do not uniformly apply. France and Switzerland cooperate extensively on cross-border matters including transportation (TGV Lyria high-speed rail), environmental protection (Lake Geneva, Alpine cooperation), and security coordination. The bilateral relationship benefits from geographic proximity, linguistic ties in Romandie, and shared membership in European frameworks.