From 1 January 2018, becoming Swiss will get more difficult. The key change is the types of qualifying residence permits – only C-permit holders will be able to apply. In addition, years spent in Switzerland on N (asylum) and F (provisional) permits will not count. There is some good news. Those with C-permits will only […]
Archives for 2017
Jet-skis not welcome on Lake Geneva
Tribune de Genève. A Swiss-French commission has demanded a jet-ski ban on Lake Geneva. Requests to have a ban put into law have been sent to Paris and Bern, according to Tribune de Genève. The government of the canton of Vaud says jet-skis pose a danger to lake animals, in particular some birds. Safety is […]
Swiss VAT rate to fall in 2018
The current rate of 8% is set to drop on 1 January 2018. Temporarily increased by 0.4% in 2011 to shore up funding for disability welfare, the rate will revert to 7.7%. The 0.1% difference between the new rate and pre 2011 rate of 7.6% is a new increase that will be used to help […]
Swiss fact: forests expanded 9% in Switzerland since 1990
In 1990, Switzerland had 11,510 sq. km. of forest. By 2015, it was up by 9% at 12,540 sq. km. This is 30% of the nation’s land area, slightly less that the global average of 31%. Globally forests are in decline. Since 1990 they shrank 3%, a modest figure that masks the real damage. Planting […]
My Swiss story – Lake Geneva is never too cold
Everyone has a story. My Swiss Story is a series that looks at lives in Switzerland. We recently met Sergio Bianchini. His passion is long-distance swimming – for himself and for others. As well as swimming all year round in Lake Geneva, he has crossed the straits of Gibraltar and swum from Salvation’s Islands to the South […]
Top 5 Christmas songs in Switzerland
Music streamer Spotify provides data on Christmas music streaming trends. Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas is you” is the clear global favourite, followed by the Wham! hit “Last Christmas”, Michael Bublé’s “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas”, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee and Ariana Grande’s “Santa Tell Me”. […]
Switzerland joins 127 other nations condemning Donald Trump’s Jerusalem decision
Yesterday, 128 countries voted in favour of a United Nation’s General Assembly resolution demanding Washington rescind its 6 December recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Switzerland was among them. A clear majority was in favour (74%) – 128 voted for, 9 against, with 35 abstentions. US-friendly countries voting in favour included Germany, France, Britain and […]
Swiss fact: Switzerland has some of the strictest alcohol driving limits
While the limits for regular experienced drivers are the same as much of western Europe, limits for new and professional drivers are particularly strict. Since 1 January 2014, new and professional drivers are required to be alcohol free before driving. In practice this means less than 0.1 grams of alcohol per kilogram of blood and […]
New 8km-long ski run opens at Diablerets in Switzerland
A new run was opened yesterday at the resort Glacier 3000 in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland – the resort straddles the cantons of Vaud, Bern and Valais. The new Red Run begins at Scex Rouge (2,971m), passes under the Oldenhorn station below the Cabane station, where it joins the existing Martisberg Run. This new […]
FILM: LUCKY – spiritual, amusing and wise + a great Christmas line up
22 December 2017. Dear cinephiles, here’s wishing you a warm and toasty Christmas and a healthy and peaceful 2018. With many good films, of course! There are too many interesting ones coming out this week, so the reviews will be mini ones. Just to guide you to the right film… Enjoy them through the holidays. Don’t forget […]