It’s health insurance season. Average premiums are increasing in 2018. Compulsory basic Swiss health insurance can generally only be changed once a year. To change you must notify your current provider by 30 November. This article explains the basics of Swiss health insurance. 1. How does Swiss healthcare work? Basic health insurance is compulsory in Switzerland […]
Swiss immigration initiative RASA gets required number of signatures
Tribune de Genève. On 9 February 2014 a slim majority of 50.3% of Swiss voters called for an end to open immigration from European Union (EU) nations. Since then Switzerland has been engaged in difficult discussions with EU negotiators who say that Switzerland’s EU deals, which include trade, must come as a package and cannot […]
What is driving the Swiss franc’s fall?
Bilan. For several days the Swiss franc has been losing ground against the Euro. According to Bilan the franc came close to 1.10 against the Euro on 11 August 2015 before recovering to around to 1.085 on Thursday the 13th of August based on Reuters data. According to Bilan experts are forecasting a return to […]
The expats banned from voting
After 15 years abroad British citizens lose the right to vote. According to a recent article in the British newspaper the Telegraph, this is about to change, albeit too late for British expats to vote on whether Britain should stay in the European Union or not. A BBC article describes a global trend towards greater […]
Verbier to cut price of ski passes
Le Matin. “Normally we announce price increases” Virginie Barras, marketing coordinator for the 4 Valleys ski area, which includes Verbier, told the Swiss newspaper Le Matin. Next ski season however prices will go down. “We must respond to two big challenges with the strong franc and declining numbers” she added. According to the interview the […]
Swiss climber climbs 82 Alpine summits in 62 days
20 Minutes. The Swiss climber who holds numerous mountain climbing speed records recently set himself a new challenge: climb all European Alpine peaks over 4,000 metres in under 80 days. Ueli Steck, nicknamed the “Swiss machine” announced on Wednesday that he had successfully climbed all 82 peaks in 62 days, well within his 80 day […]
Barbeque bans lifted
20 Minutes. The cantons of Vaud, Fribourg and Neuchâtel have all lifted their fire bans after recent rain reduced the risks. The fire risk level has now fallen to level 3 on a scale from 1 to a maximum risk level of 5. This means fireworks and barbeques near forests are permitted. A level 3 […]
Why are UN Geneva interns not paid?
The plight of David Hyde, a 22 year unpaid United Nations (UN) intern from New Zealand, found camping in a leaky tent near the edge of lake Geneva, has sparked widespread condemnation of the UN and allegations of exploitation. Unpaid #UN intern David Hyde forced to live in tent near the UN Beach Club http://t.co/FRCtyx56yi […]
Could Switzerland be the best place when climatic catastrophe strikes?
The American climate change activist and director of climate science at Columbia University’s Earth Institute James Hansen describes Switzerland’s advantages when global droughts, rising sea levels and extreme weather conditions strike. The Atlantic newspaper asked James Hansen: “If climate change continues at this pace, is anywhere going to be safe?”. “Switzerland would be a good […]
Swiss prices continue to fall in July
Switzerland is becoming accustomed to deflation. The Swiss consumer price index fell by 0.6% in July 2015 and the index is now 1.3% lower than in July 2014 and at its lowest level since October 2007. July 2015 deflation was largely driven by the falling price of imports – driven by a strong Swiss franc, […]
