Most Swiss who leave to live abroad today do so only temporarily. France has by far the largest number of Swiss residents, followed by the US and Germany. At the end of 2006 the total number of Swiss nationals registered as living outside the country was 645,010.

Swiss citizens resident abroad are known as the "Fifth Switzerland" - the other four being the language regions. Switzerland provides numerous services and facilities for them to keep in touch with their homeland. It also helps finance 16 Swiss schools abroad, which teach a Swiss curriculum.