Europe: Switzerland

The Local - Switzerland (10 hours ago)

After a deadly New Year's blaze in a Crans-Montana bar shed light on the lack of fire safety features at the venue, questions arise about what rules exist for apartment buildings in Switzerland.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (14 hours ago)

Swiss authorities admitted that fire safety inspections had not been carried out fort he past five years at a bar where 40 people died in a New Year blaze.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (17 hours ago)

While shopping at supermarkets in Switzerland, you have probably come across discounted foods and beverages that are close to (or at) their sale-by date. Can you safely consume them – and for how long?

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (18 hours ago)

Officials in Crans-Montana, a ski resort in Switzerland, admitted they failed to conduct periodic fire and safety inspections over the past five years at a bar where a fire killed 40 people and injured 116 others.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (20 hours ago)

Swiss supermarkets have been experiencing egg shortages; 83 fire victims remain in hospital; and more news in our Tuesday roundup.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (20 hours ago)

Swiss food giant Nestle has announced a recall of batches of infant formula in several European countries, notably France, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Italy and Sweden, as a precautionary measure.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (2 days ago)

After a massive blaze claimed 40 lives and injured 119 people celebrating New Year's Eve in a Swiss ski resort bar, Le Constallation, questions are being raised not only about how safe these venues are, but also what kind of checks they are bound to undergo.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (2 days ago)

The Swiss government said Monday that it had decided to freeze any assets held in Switzerland by the deposed Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro or his associates "with immediate effect."

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (2 days ago)

Though mostly snowless in the plains, nearly all Swiss regions will be hit by freezing temperatures this week.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (2 days ago)

Swiss authorities are increasingly relying on 80 km/h limits on motorways during peak hours to prevent traffic jams and emissions. But not everyone is on board with this measure.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (2 days ago)

Illness and accidents can happen anytime and anywhere. What medical treatment are foreigners entitled to if they need medical care in Switzerland?

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (2 days ago)

All the victims of Crans-Montana bar fire have been identified; major dispute brews over Switzerland's motorway speed limits; and more news in our roundup on Monday.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (2 days ago)

All 40 people who perished in a New Year's fire at a Swiss ski resort bar were identified Sunday, with half of them under the age of 18.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (2 days ago)

Painfully aware of the fire tragedy in Crans-Montana, ski tourists said they had opted to stay in the Alpine Swiss resort whose tourism-dependent community remains open for business as it mourns the many victims.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 days ago)

New rules pertaining to vehicle registration and driving, among others, came into effect in Switzerland from January 1st.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 days ago)

Authorities investigating a New Year's blaze at a bar in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana have identified 24 of the 40 people killed, including 11 minors and six foreign nationals, police said Sunday, as its owners were probed for negligent manslaughter.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 days ago)

The managers of the Swiss ski resort bar where dozens died during a fire at a New Year's celebration are under investigation for negligent manslaughter, authorities said Saturday.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 days ago)

Swiss authorities said Saturday they have launched a criminal investigation into the managers of a bar in a ski resort town where a fire killed dozens on New Year's Eve.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (4 days ago)

The first bodies were identified Saturday after the deadly blaze that killed 40 New Year revellers at a packed bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana, including two minors.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (4 days ago)

Valais authorities have revealed the 'probable' cause of the fire at a bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, which claimed 40 lives and injured 119 people - "sparklers or Bengal candles" on Champagne bottles.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (5 days ago)

A New Year's Eve fire at a bar in Valais claims dozens of victims, and a Swiss MP seeks tougher language rules for naturalisation — these are among the news that The Local reported this week. You can catch up on everything in this weekly roundup.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (5 days ago)

As the identity of the first victim of the catastrophic fire that ravaged in a bar in Crans-Montana is released, Swiss police are continuing their work to identify other victims, with the death toll standing at 40.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (5 days ago)

A number of Swiss universities are increasing their fees due to planned reduction of federal contributions, impacting foreign students the most.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (5 days ago)

Generally speaking, all medical facilities in Switzerland provide excellent emergency and follow-up care. But when it comes to specialised treatments, patients will benefit more from some hospitals than others.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (5 days ago)

It's been five years since the end of the post-Brexit transition period and for many British citizens living in the EU this means 2026 will be the time to upgrade to a permanent residence cards. But what happens if forget or leave it late?

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (5 days ago)

Teenagers Eleonore and Elisa started the year with a frantic search for friends who have been missing since a deadly fire tore through a bar in a neighbouring Swiss town.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (5 days ago)

Valais police continue to identify victims of Crans-Montana fire; Swiss MPs are criticised for not declaring their income from side jobs; and more news in our roundup this Friday.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (5 days ago)

Swiss police say around 40 people were killed after a blaze broke out at a bar in a luxury ski resort as revellers celebrated the New Year. Here's what we know so far.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (5 days ago)

Around 40 people were killed and over 100 injured when a fire ripped through a crowded bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana as young revellers rang in the new year, police said Thursday.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A week ago)

The new year has not even started yet, but a number of companies and organisations based in Switzerland have already announced they will be laying off employees in 2026. We have a full roundup of where the jobs will be lost.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A week ago)

New Year's Eve in Switzerland, as elsewhere in the world, is synonymous with fireworks displays – from modest to extravagant ones.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A week ago)

Fewer Swiss cities allow fireworks on New Year's Eve; housing shortage is the biggest concern for Zurich's residents; and more news in our last roundup of 2025.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A week ago)

As January 1st is a public holiday in Switzerland, most shops and other businesses will be closed, though some will remain open.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A week ago)

New data has revealed that Zurich has the second-highest naturalisation rate in Switzerland after Geneva, but disparities in numbers exist between richer and less well off communities.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A week ago)

The Swiss franc has not experienced any volatility or significant fluctuations in the past, but will Switzerland's famously stable currency maintain its strength in 2026 as well?

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A week ago)

Most full-time employees in Switzerland have a minimum of four weeks of annual leave. But by combining public holidays with your paid vacation, you can enjoy more days off.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A week ago)

Five years on from the end of free movement, Britons living throughout Europe are still dealing with the consequences of Brexit. Fiona Godfrey, from British in Europe, tells The Local the battle to secure rights is still ongoing and that things could get more complicated.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A week ago)

Coop supermarket will offer smaller discounts on food nearing expiry dates; a new emergency number for victims of domestic abuse will be launched in May; and more Swiss news in our roundup this Tuesday.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A week ago)

There are some big changes due to come into effect in 2025 which will affect travel in and out of the European Union for non-EU citizens such as Brits, Americans, Australians and Canadians. Here's how EES and ETIAS will affect you.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A week ago)

If you are hoping to purchase a house or an appartment in 2026, you may want to know what developments to expect on Switzerland's property market in the coming months.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A week ago)

The state of the Swiss economy affects, for better or for worse, all of the country's residents. What can we expect to happen in 2026?

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A week ago)

Switzerland already enforces strict language requirements for Swiss citizenship applicants, but could they soon become tougher?

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A week ago)

New move to link naturalisation to improved language proficiency; Basel voters to weigh in on direct wage tax deductions; and more news in our Monday roundup.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A week ago)

Unlike citizens of the EU and EFTA (Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein) who have an unlimited access to Switzerland's labour market, people from so-called third countries are subject to special quotas, the number of which are determined by the government each year.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A week ago)

Daniel Brelaz, celebrated in Switzerland as the first Green politician elected to a national parliament anywhere in the world, died overnight, his family said Sunday. He was 75.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (2 weeks ago)

The national airline's winter timetable has just started on October 26th, but SWISS has already announced its new destinations for summer 2026, in effect from March 29th to October 24th.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (2 weeks ago)

The European Union reacted sharply on Wednesday to US visa sanctions imposed on five European figures involved in regulating tech companies, including former European Commissioner Thierry Breton.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (2 weeks ago)

Swiss municipal employees to be trained in the recognition of forged foreign passports; centre-right parties are divided over the neutrality initiative; and more news in our roundup this Wednesday.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (2 weeks ago)

As the year is drawing to a close, we look at how immigration has shaped Switzerland's political, economic, and social discourse in 2025.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (2 weeks ago)

In terms of prices, there is both good and bad news for Swiss consumers: while some services will become cheaper in 2026, you will have to pay more for others.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (2 weeks ago)

Early retirement may no longer be allowed in Switzerland; heart disease is the number one killer among Switzerland's population; and more news in our Tuesday roundup.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (2 weeks ago)

As part of the 'borderless' Schengen area, only sporadic and random checks are performed at Swiss borders. But this lax approach is set to change.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (2 weeks ago)

Many people in Switzerland are currently bedridden, with some sick for weeks. An infectious disease specialist explains why the flu wave started earlier and is more persistent than usual.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (2 weeks ago)

Travelling between Christmas and New Year's is hardly a relaxing experience. What should you be prepared for when leaving Switzerland in the next days?

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (2 weeks ago)

The government allows Swiss postal service to skimp on mail deliveries; the population is warned about a new scam; and more news in our roundup on Monday.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (2 weeks ago)

Roche's chief executive called in an interview with Swiss media published Sunday for Switzerland to pay more for new drugs, to bring prices in line with those paid by Washington.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 weeks ago)

A man has been jailed and given a deportation order following his conviction for the rape of an American tourist whilst she was visiting Geneva.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 weeks ago)

A Swiss lawmaker has proposed that foreign entrepreneurs based in the country should benefit from a more streamlined naturalisation process.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 weeks ago)

MP pushes for easier access to Swiss citizenship for foreign entrepreneurs; thousands refuse social assistance for fear of losing their permits; and other news in our roundup this Friday.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 weeks ago)

The association of European airports called on Thursday for an urgent review of the new EU border system, amid "mounting operational issues” that could affect the holiday season.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 weeks ago)

Aside from the existing travel destinations to and from Swiss airports, a number of new ones will be added throughout 2026.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 weeks ago)

Between April 15th and May 20th, 2026, Basel EuroAirport will be renovating its main runway, causing all but one of its airlines to cancel their flights during this time.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 weeks ago)

People who live in Zurich, Switzerland's most expensive city, can look forward to some financial relief in 2026 – lower tax rates. But is this really good news?

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 weeks ago)

Zurich residents will pay less taxes next year; Switzerland still ranked Europe's most expensive country; and more news in our Thursday roundup.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 weeks ago)

After the European Union significantly tightened its immigration policy earlier this month, 19 EU countries on Wednesday urged the European Commission to finance "return hubs" outside the bloc for failed asylum-seekers.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 weeks ago)

The new year brings a slew of changes to Switzerland, including higher health insurance premiums and better protection for property buyers.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 weeks ago)

The topic of vaccinations is fresh in our memories due to Covid, but what about other immunisations? Here's what you need to know.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 weeks ago)

An Italian national has been arrested after attempting to smuggle dozens of panettones into Switzerland as part of an undeclared 100kg cross-border haul.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 weeks ago)

A week of skiing in Switzerland will cost more this coming winter than in previous years, but some resorts charge less than others.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 weeks ago)

Geneva's median wage exceeds national one; employment differences between people with migration background and those without; and more news in our roundup on Wednesday.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 weeks ago)

Road authorities in Switzerland have warned that the Christmas and New Year period could see heavy traffic on Swiss motorways, but asked drivers to avoid taking diversions on secondary roads.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 weeks ago)

Swiss voters will soon have their say on a hard-right, anti-immigration proposal that aims to limit the country's population, but this week senators in the country made it clear where they stand.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 weeks ago)

Zurich officials condemn flyers about migrants distributed in a city neighbourhood; two opposing views offered for Swiss economy in 2026; and other news in our roundup this Tuesday.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 weeks ago)

John Howe, the illustrator who brought J. R. R. Tolkien's universe to life, is now inviting the world into his mind's eye by setting up his studio in a mediaeval prison-turned-museum in Switzerland.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 weeks ago)

The news that Switzerland is urgently recruiting 85,000 foreign workers has been making rounds of international media – both print and social - for the past few weeks. What are the claims and the facts?

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 weeks ago)

Starting on June 18th, a Dutch-Belgian operator, European Sleeper, plans to offer three weekly services in each direction between Switzerland's capital city, Bern, and Brussels, Amsterdam, and Milan.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 weeks ago)

Naturalisation fees in Switzerland vary from canton to canton – and sometimes by municipality within that canton - and some are cheaper (or more expensive) than others. So how much can you expect to pay in 2025?

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (3 weeks ago)

Naturalisation fees in Basel will drop or be abolished altogether in certain cases; new night train is planned from Bern to European cities; and more news in our Monday roundup.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (4 weeks ago)

An important but hardly-known international agreement signed by 29 European countries has established common principles for citizenship rules, rights and duties associated to multiple citizenship, explains Claudia Delpero.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (4 weeks ago)

Dual-national American readers across Europe say they would give up their US passports to stay European if they were forced to, with many citing political disillusionment, fears for safety, and the feeling of belonging to their adopted country.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (4 weeks ago)

Switzerland will not be able to purchase all 36 American F-35 fighter jets in the near future as planned due to cost overruns announced by the United States, Bern said on Friday.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (4 weeks ago)

More people continue to be affected by job cuts in Switzerland; sharp increase recorded in number of flu cases; and other news in our roundup on Friday.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (4 weeks ago)

Yodelling, the traditional singing of herders in the Swiss Alps, was recognised by the United Nations on Thursday as part of the world's cultural heritage.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (4 weeks ago)

In October, Swiss national railways (SBB) announced the launch, in April 2026, of a night train connecting Basel with the Swedish city of Malmö, and had even started to sell tickets for this route. This move, however, was premature.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (4 weeks ago)

From new laws to to major events find out what lies ahead for Switzerland in each month of 2026.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (4 weeks ago)

Do the Swiss see any benefits or immigration at all? Or do they just blame foreigners for high rent prices and crime? An new poll sheds some light on their views.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (4 weeks ago)

US President Donald Trump shocked Switzerland in August when he announced 39-percent duties on imports of goods from the Alpine nation, among the highest in his global tariff blitz.What's happening now?

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (4 weeks ago)

More job losses in Switzerland after two insurance companies merge; dual French-Swiss nationals will no longer be able to skip Swiss military service; and more news in our Thursday roundup.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (4 weeks ago)

Switzerland's economy minister Guy Parmelin, who shuttled back and forth to Washington trying to reduce whopping US tariffs, was on Wednesday elected as the country's president for 2026.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (4 weeks ago)

Integration is a key requirement for everyone applying for Swiss citizenship. But how you need to demonstrate it depends on the canton where you live.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (4 weeks ago)

The planned Basel to Malmö train is scrapped due to lack of federal funds; Swiss reveal their biggest worries; and more news in our roundup this Wednesday.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

While it is impossible to accurately predict the future, we do have some clear indications of what Switzerland will have to tackle in 2026.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas with every Christmas card you write? Depending on where in Switzerland you are, your dream may – or may not – come true.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Though the government and the majority of political parties are urging voters to reject the hard-right's proposal to limit the number of foreigners coming to Switzerland, nearly half of Swiss citizens support the measure, a new poll reveals.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

A 55-year-old tram driver will appear in the Zurich District Court this week, accused of 'negligent homicide' after an elderly American tourist was hit and killed by the tram.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Switzerland adopts its first national anti-racism strategy; the expanded EU rail network will bypass Switzerland; and more news in our roundup on Tuesday.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

After a US Senator sparked uproar by introducing a bill that would eliminate the possibility of dual citizenship for American citizens, we want to hear from US nationals in Europe. Would you give up your US passport to be European?

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Whether in the air, on rails, or on the lake, the new year will usher some changes to Switzerland's domestic and international travel, as well as to its public transport.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Thanks to new CT scanners being installed at Zurich airport, bottles of water and other liquids will no longer have to be surrendered at security checks at Switzerland's largest airport.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Christmas is always a busy time for travel to and from Switzerland, but this year travellers may have to reckon with new rules, including the EU's Entry & Exit System and the UK's ETA.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Residency and citizenship crackdowns, repatriation grants, caps on foreign population, elections and all amid an expected and continued rise in the polls for the right... how will immigration trends change around Europe in 2026?

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

UBS plans to cut 3,000 jobs in Switzerland; anti-immigration initiative receives a broad voter support; and more news in our Monday roundup.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe could play a major role in monitoring a ceasefire in Russia's war in Ukraine, Switzerland's foreign minister said in an interview out Sunday.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

New cantonal figures reveal that communes in Zurich are relying less and less on personal interviews with applicants as part of the Swiss citizenship procedure.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

What impact will EU's treaties have on immigration to Switzerland, and how the Swiss government integrates foreign nationals better than most nations — these are among the news that The Local reported this week. You can catch up on everything in this weekly roundup.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

"Nightjet," which the SBB inaugurated in Zurich on December 4th, is the newest overnight train to connect Switzerland with European cities.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Switzerland's new train timetable for 2026 goes into effect on December 14th. From this day forward, buses and trams will also run on a new schedule, with public transport companies modifying/expanding their route network.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Switzerland hopes to have yodelling recognised by the United Nations this month to help protect the ancestral sing-song tradition of the Alpine nation's herders and shepherds.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Switzerland's SBB inaugurates a new international night train; survey shows that most Swiss don't like the tariff deal with the US; and more news in our roundup this Friday.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

After numerous layoffs by Swiss companies and organisations throughout 2025 – and some expected next year as well - will the country's job market recover in 2026?

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

The Geneva branch of the hard-right Swiss People's Party (SVP) said it will launch an initiative to abolish the right of foreigners to vote in municipal referendums and elections.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

If you are planning to travel out of Zurich Airport in the days leading up to Christmas, be prepared for long and slow lines.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Switzerland's hard-right party is launching an initiative to withdraw foreigners' voting rights; children with migrant backgrounds are falling behind in school due to language barriers; and more news in our Thursday roundup.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

A US Senator has introduced a bill that aims to eliminate the possibility of dual citizenship for American citizens. If passed the bill would affect those planning to naturalise in European countries as well as those who already have.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

One of the criteria for foreigners to be naturalised in Switzerland is that they should be well integrated into Swiss society. In many instances, this requirement is more important than the knowledge of the country's history.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

The flu season in Europe typically begins during December. It has already started in Switzerland, and is picking up speed.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

As various Swiss media outlets have reported, under the terms of the new EU treaty, hundreds of thousands of European nationals could be eligible for permanent residency and welfare, with no strings attached. But is this really true?

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

By international comparison, foreign nationals in Switzerland "have a good level of education, a very high employment rate, and actively strive to learn a national language," a new report reveals.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has said that up to 628 of its A320 planes worldwide may need to be inspected for a metal plate "quality issue” that has come to light.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

You may know that December 8th is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and that it's a public holiday in many Swiss cantons.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Immigrants are well integrated in Switzerland, new government report reveals; a new SBB travelcard targets customers without mobile phones; and more news in our roundup this Wednesday.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Swiss Post is (mostly) efficient and punctual with mail deliveries, but if you want your letters and packages to get to their destinations for Christmas, don't procrastinate.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

In 2026, Swiss national railways (SBB) will operate, in partnership with foreign companies, various trains - both to near and far European destinations.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

In local referendums held in November, voters in two cantons refused to give voting rights to their longterm foreign residents. The result was part of an established trend in Switzerland, to the frustration of many.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Federal and cantonal police join forces to combat French gangs; Swiss universities vow to protect themselves against 'academic espionage'; and more news in our Tuesday roundup.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

The Federal Housing Office (BWO) is maintaining the benchmark mortgage rate at 1.25 percent for the time being, it announced on December 1st. How will this impact rents?

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

As it does each year, the 2026 motorway toll sticker went on sale on Monday December 1st, at the same price as before - 40 francs. But there are ways for you to pay less.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Ludwig Minelli, a longtime director of an assisted dying organisation Dignitas, chose to take his life at his clinic on November 30th - a legal practice in Switzerland. Our comprehensive guide explains how this liberal law works.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Besides the national referendum on obligatory civic duty and tax for the super-rich – both of which were soundly rejected at the polls on Sunday - voters in some Swiss cantons also cast their ballots on issues of local importance.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Foreign residents in Vaud will not get cantonal voting rights; Swiss police will use five different skin colours to describe offenders; and more news in our roundup on Monday.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Swiss voters on Sunday resoundingly rejected a proposal to replace the current men-only military conscription with a compulsory civic duty for all and another on taxing the super-rich to fund the climate fight.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

The head of Swiss right-to-die organisation Dignitas has died through assisted suicide, the group said in a statement on Sunday.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Switzerland votes Sunday on whether to replace the current men-only military conscription with a compulsory civic duty for men and women alike and on taxing the super-rich to fund the climate fight.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

In the last round of national referendums of 2025 on Sunday, Swiss voters decide on two issues: one to do with taxes and the other with the civic duty.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Fears of days of travel chaos across Europe and the world eased on Saturday after plane manufacturer Airbus intervened rapidly to implement a software upgrade it had said was immediately needed on some 6,000 of its A320 planes.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

The Swiss group Stadler Rail announced Friday it has appealed a major public contract awarded to its German competitor Siemens Mobility, the latest development in a contentious public infrastructure dispute.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

New driving license rules rolled out by the European Commission have apparently already entered 'into force', but closer inspection reveals that they will take years to make it onto the roads.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Two major international studies have released their latest rankings of the world's top universities, and two of Switzerland's institutions have secured places among the best in the world in these prestigious lists.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Switzerland set 2026 quotas for third-country nationals, and how work permit types determine foreigners's salaries— these are among the news that The Local reported this week. You can catch up on everything in this weekly roundup.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

New government figures reveal that wages of some foreign residents who hold permit B are quite a bit higher than those with C permits – and even exceed the income of Swiss citizens.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Swiss fear they will be unable to maintain their standard of living after retirement; Swiss multinationals create more jobs than foreign companies; and more news in our Friday roundup.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Two Swiss lawmakers have asked the country's attorney general to probe the legality of gifts reportedly given to US President Donald Trump by Swiss business leaders days before the two nations cut a breakthrough tariff deal.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Various anti-immigration measures have been proposed in Switzerland in recent years including one that would make new arrivals pay 50,000 francs. Critics say the people behind these measures ignore the important economic role immigrants play in Switzerland.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Thanks to an extension of the free movement of persons agreement between Bern and Brussels, more than half a million EU nationals could get a C permit after five years of residence – with no strings attached. One Swiss economist is highly critical of the move.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Though some high-altitude slopes in Switzerland are skiable all year round, most open in November and December.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

The European Commission wants to make rail trips between major European cities faster and easier for international travellers, and has launched a new strategy with this aim in mind.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

New Swiss government analysis has shed light on both benefits and challenges of immigration for Switzerland in key policy areas.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

The growing threat from Russia and the risk of renewed conflict in Europe have thrown a spotlight on the continent's varied military service models.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

For years, the national airline SWISS has offered cheap flights to various short-haul destinations. But these low fares will soon be a thing of the past.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Swiss economic outlook is more positive after a tariff deal with the US; an avalanche warning is issued for parts of the Alps; and more news in our roundup this Thursday.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

New data sheds light on American citizens who call Switzerland home.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

The UK government has warned European travellers that they will be refused entry from February 2026, if they do not have the required ETA visa waiver.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Even though thousands of post-Brexit permits are made available each year for British nationals to work in Switzerland, very few are snapped up. Do Brits just not want to work in Switzerland?

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

If you have a good job, you want to hold on to it for dear life. But sometimes redundancies do happen and other bureaucratic problems emerge, putting your employment and longterm prospects in Switzerland at risk.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (A month ago)

Switzerland will maintain the same quota for foreigners from third countries; Zurich rental agencies are taking advantage of the city's housing shortage with dubious practices; and other news in our Wednesday roundup.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (2 months ago)

The majority of foreign nationals who come to live and work in Switzerland end up leaving the country, a new study reveals. Among them, North American citizens have the highest return rates.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (2 months ago)

The amount foreigners earn in Switzerland obviously depends on their job and position, but new figures reveal those on certain permits earn more and when it comes to management posts, they earn more than the Swiss.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (2 months ago)

Swiss voters will have their say on two issues of national importance on November 30th. But some cantons and municipalities will hold their own local referendums as well. So what's at stake?

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (2 months ago)

Swiss drug company Novartis plans to cut 550 jobs in Switzerland by the end of 2027 as it modernises a factory to cease producing pills and capsules to focus on cell therapies.

#world #eu

Read

The Local - Switzerland (2 months ago)

More than half of immigrants who arrived a decade ago had already left Switzerland: Bern universities triple fees for foreign students; and more news in our roundup this Tuesday.

#world #eu

Read