The EU country might have the 5th strongest passport in the world, but they also have the most gorgeous passport now, with this new design unveiled by Geneva-based studio RETINAA. Passports are usually bureaucratic necessities—stamped, dog-eared, and mostly forgotten until the next border crossing. But leave it to the Swiss to turn theirs into a work of art.
Designed by Geneva-based studio RETINAA, Switzerland’s next-generation passport transforms a travel document into an intricate, almost poetic celebration of the country’s identity.Switzerland has long been a champion of meticulous craftsmanship, whether in watchmaking, graphic design, or infrastructure. The new passport is no exception.
RETINAA has woven the nation’s landscapes into the fabric of the document itself, using 3D-modeled reliefs that chart an imaginary journey from the Alpine peaks down to the valleys. Think of it as a cartographic love letter to Switzerland—each page unfolding like a travelogue through the country’s 26 cantons. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, ultraviolet light reveals hidden contour lines and architectural landmarks, turning the passport into a layered, interactive experience.
Designer: RETINAAIt’s a design that feels distinctly Swiss in its restraint and precision. Unlike passports that lean on flamboyant holograms or overtly nationalistic motifs, this one takes a more refined approach. The inner cover features a hydrological map, an elegant nod to Switzerland’s.
