The issuance and the renewal of pilot licences (aeroplanes, sailplanes, helicopters, balloons) are the responsibility of the FOCA. Only the Office and, under certain conditions, examiners nominated by the FOCA have the right to make entries in Swiss pilot licences.
- 60.070 Conversion SPA Licence (PDF, 36 kB, 18.09.2017)
- 60.071 Conversion MPA Licence (PDF, 32 kB, 18.09.2017)
- 61.070 Conversion SPH Licence (PDF, 137 kB, 18.09.2017)
- 61.071 Conversion MPH Licence (PDF, 117 kB, 18.09.2017)
- 62.070 Conversion Sailplane licence (PDF, 135 kB, 14.05.2020)
- 63.070 Conversion Balloon licence (PDF, 187 kB, 20.05.2020)
- Conversion of a 3rd country ICAO IR(A) to EASA En route IR(A) (EIR) (PDF, 134 kB, 11.11.2019)
- Conversion of a 3rd country ICAO IR(A) to EASA Competency-based IR(A) (CB IR) (PDF, 132 kB, 08.02.2021)
- Conversion of a 3rd country ICAO Licence to EASA Part FCL CPL(A) SP (PDF, 138 kB, 04.02.2021)
- Conversion of a 3rd country ICAO Licence to EASA Part FCL CPL(A) MP (PDF, 142 kB, 08.03.2021)
- Conversion of a 3rd country ICAO licence to EASA Part-FCL PPL(A) (PDF, 138 kB, 03.02.2021)
- Conversion of a 3rd country ICAO licence to EASA Part FCL ATPL(A) (PDF, 137 kB, 03.02.2021)
- Conversion of a 3rd country ICAO licence to EASA Part-FCL IR(A) (PDF, 140 kB, 04.02.2021)
- Conversion of a 3rd country ICAO Licence to EASA Part FCL CPL(H) MP (PDF, 180 kB, 11.11.2019)
- Conversion of a 3rd country ICAO Licence to EASA Part FCL PPL(H) (PDF, 139 kB, 14.04.2021)
- Conversion of a 3rd country ICAO Licence to EASA Part FCL CPL(H) SP (PDF, 138 kB, 14.04.2021)
- Checklist Conversion of a 3rd country ICAO licence to EASA Part-FCL IR(H) (PDF, 136 kB, 14.04.2021)
- Conversion of a 3rd country ICAO Licence to EASA Part FCL ATPL(H) (PDF, 137 kB, 14.04.2021)
Regulation (EU) 2018/1065 regulates the automatic validation of EASA licenses. This should prevent problems with SAFA checks outside the EASA Member States. In ramp checks for example, pilots possessing ICAO-compliant licenses are no longer restrained to fly outside the EASA Member States with an EASA aircraft that is not HB-registered.
Switzerland is currently listed on the ICAO attachment. The format of the Swiss licenses is recently supplemented with the reference to the ICAO document. The updated licenses will not be released until the next license issue. A license fee will be charged to pilots wishing to have a new license before the regular issuance

Current Topics
As of 01.03.2021 the following adjustments for the processing of all licence applications will be effective:
Upon receipt each application will be processed separately; applications cannot be held back awaiting further requests.
In the case of several applications being submitted at the same time, each one shall respectively be charged individually.
According to the official regulation of fees of the Federal Office of Civil Aviation of Switzerland FOCA, art. 30, 1, b, each request of an initial entry, renewal, revalidation or extension shall be charged; FOCA charges the processing of the request, not the actual issuance of a paper licence.
The revision of the FOCA regulations of fees will in return lower the charges for all above mentioned applications as follows:
Initial entries, renewals, revalidations and extensions for commercial pilot licences: CHF 75.— each
Initial entries, renewals, revalidations and extensions for non-commercial pilot licences: CHF 45.— each
The revision and improvement as well as the ongoing digitalization enabled the lowering of these fees.
Due to the circumstances caused by the Covid-19 epidemic, we ask you to submit the applications in electronic form whenever possible.
Applications for transfers of licence, validation, conversion, class rating SEP revalidation (form 61.521) and short-term permits have to be sent to: sb_lizenzen@bazl.admin.ch
Please send exam records and documents for the issue, revalidation, or renewal of the pilot licence, applications for revalidation or renewal of instructor rating to: pel-qc@bazl.admin.ch
Applications for the issue, extension of instructor rating, examiner certificate have to be sent to: pel-inspector@bazl.admin.ch
Note: for technical reasons we ask you to send one pdf file per application (rating etc.) and one e-mail per pilot whenever possible.
Dear pilots
We would like to inform you about the following changement, applicable in Switzerland as of 1 July 2020:
With the adoption of COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2019/1747 of 15 October 2019 amending Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 as regards requirements for certain flight crew licences and certificates, rules on training organisations and competent authorities, PPL licences include now the privileges of a LAPL licence during the rating validity:
FCL.205.A (a) The privileges of the holders of a PPL(A) are to act without remuneration as PIC or co-pilots of aeroplanes or TMGs engaged in non-commercial operations and to exercise all privileges of holders of a LAPL(A).
FCL.205.H(a) The privileges of the holder of a PPL(H) are to act without remuneration as PIC or co-pilot of helicopters engaged in non-commercial operations and to exercise all privileges of holders of a LAPL(H).
As a consequence, a holder of a PPL, CPL or ATPL may continue to exercise the privileges of a LAPL during the rating validity, for example in cases where he only holds a LAPL medical, provided that the recency requirements are met.
Notification of Opt Out third country licences and associated medical certificates (PDF, 114 kB, 18.06.2020)Regulation on aircrew, Notification for a derogation in accordance with Article 12 paragraph 4 of Regulation (EC) N' 1178/2011 amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/359
Further information
Contact
Federal Office of Civil Aviation FOCA
Section Flight Personnel - licence administration
Tel: +41 58 463 54 56
The licence issue takes 10 working days upon receipt of the applications. Please take note that we do not provide any information within this period. We advise you therefore, to consider sending your applications by registered mail.
Thank you for your understanding.