You probably never thought of Switzerland’s passport in terms of its physical appearance, but many people around the world are doing just that. Here’s why.
Each year, the Swiss passport ranks among the best in the world for ease of travel. But when it comes to the way it looks, this passport is deemed the ‘most beautiful identity document in the world.’
At least, that’s the assessment of its design on social media, where “millions of internet users are raving” about the passport’s appearance and design.
In fact, according to Swiss media, “photos of the Swiss passport regularly appear on design blogs and news sites. Instagram posts are liked hundreds of thousands of times and receive numerous complimentary comments.”
It has even been compared to a work of art: “above-all, the way its appearance changes under the UV light is generating particular enthusiasm.”
You can judge the book by its cover
The poppy-red passport with a small white cross embossed on the upper-right corner of its sturdy, textured cover — along with the ‘Swiss passport’ written in the country’s four official languages on the top — may indeed be a thing of beauty in the eyes of some beholders.
But it is the 40 pages in between that are particularly eye-catching because of their symbolism and relation to Switzerland’s population at home and abroad.
Each page is dedicated to one of Switzerland’s 26 cantons, with a flag of that canton feaured on the bottom and depiction of the canton’s location on the map of the country on top.
The current edition of the passport, launched in 2022, is also dedicated to the so-called ‘Fifth Switzerland.’
This is how it works: four Switzerlands represent the country’s four official languages, while the fifth stands for about 800,000 Swiss nationals living abroad, sometimes also referred to as the ‘27th canton’.
READ ALSO: What are the ‘five Switzerlands’ and what do they represent
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Who designed the newest version of the passport?
It is the brainchild of the Geneva-based creative agency RETINAA.
According to its founding partner, Carl Guilhon, Swiss landsapes were the inspiration for the fluidity of the passport’s design.
“It follows the flow of water, from the Alpine peaks down into the valleys, through the 26 cantons and out into the world,” he said.
Hidden features
The passport is not only functional (as passports should be) but also mysterious.
“Many design features only become visible under UV lights. UV printing adds a new layer of information and enhances the story.,” Guilhon explaied.
“When you look at the inside pages under UV light, you can see contour lines. They show the topography of the landscapes and the architectural landmarks of each canton, as well as the rich cultural heritage and history of our country.”
For instance, the parliament building in Bern on pages 34 and 35, is only visible under the UV light.
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What about the more practical features, such as security measures?
This is even more important than the aesthetic features, because all official travel documents must comply with the specifications set out by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
As with the previous Swiss passport, the holder’s biometric data is stored in a microchip located in the cover.
How long the world’s most beautiful passport will be in circulation?
The Federal Police (Fedpol) hasn’t yet decided until when the current passport will remain in its current form.
Typically, however, passports are renewed every 10 or 15 years. Only security-related factors dictate the frequency, namely ensuring the document’s tamper-proof nature.
If adjustments are necessary, a new design will be ordered. The current design remained unchanged for nearly 20 years, though with some technical adjustments along the way.
