In 2019, Switzerland came top overall in a ranking of destinations for expatriates to live and work, moving up from eighth last year. Singapore, which had held the top spot for four years in the HSBC’s list of the best countries for expatriates, dropped to second place. Switzerland scored highly on salaries (1st), stability (1st), […]
Parliament votes against stripping serious criminals of Swiss nationality
Last week, a majority of the National Council, Switzerland’s parliament, voted against stripping serious criminals of Swiss nationality, according to Le Matin. A motion to take Swiss citizenship away from those who have committed serious crimes and who have more than one nationality, was put forward by Lorenzo Quadri, a member of the Lega party […]
Lake Geneva region Switzerland’s jihadist hotspot
A recent study by the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) shows the geographic distribution of known radicalized jihadists across Switzerland. According to figures in the report the Lake Geneva region is a hotspot with significantly higher radicalisation rates than the rest of the country. The region’s overall rate of 2.7 radicalized inhabitants per 100,000 residents […]
Swiss government pushes to get refugees and asylum seekers working
Every year around 11,000 people apply for asylum in Switzerland. The first challenge many face is learning the local language. The next is finding a job or getting an education. Poor language proficiency and cantonal labour market restrictions are the main reasons why refugees don’t work, according to various studies. The employment rate among refugees […]
The one in ten Swiss who live abroad
With all of the hot politics surrounding immigration it is easy to lose sight of those moving abroad. Among Swiss citizens, one in ten lives abroad. In 2018, 10.7% of the Swiss population was living in another country. Of the 760,200 Swiss living outside Switzerland, more than 62% were living in Europe. France (197,400) had […]
Switzerland set to strip Swiss jihadists of nationality
So far Switzerland’s government has not stripped any jihadists of Swiss nationality. However, various reports suggest the government is set to do so. One case is currently being looked at, with others set to follow, according to Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter who was questioned by parliament. The process starts by ensuring those involved have another […]
How Swiss view foreigners
A survey published by Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office in February 2019 shows how Swiss regard the role and attitude of foreigners towards Swiss institutions. Foreigners are considered by most (64%) as necessary for the proper functioning of the economy and needed to finance social security. It is also felt they do work others won’t do […]
Few grandchildren of immigrants applying for fast track Swiss citizenship
One year after simplified naturalisation was offered to the grand children of immigrants to Switzerland, few have taken up the offer, according to the broadcaster RTS. This right was granted after a successful referendum on the subject on 12 February 2017. 60.4% of voters were in favour of the plan, which came into effect in […]
Brexit deal with Switzerland now signed
On 25 February, representatives of Switzerland and the United Kingdom signed an agreement preserving the rights already acquired by citizens residing in the other’s territory after the UK leaves the EU. Any rights already acquired by a citizen of either country under current EU rules will be preserved for life. The agreement was signed by […]
Mistrust of Islam nearly three times higher than negative views of muslims
A recent survey in Switzerland shows mistrust of Islam is close to three times more prevalent than negative views of muslims. Every two years, Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office compiles a survey of attitudes towards people of different race, religion and nationality. The survey entitled: living together in Switzerland, asks a wide range of questions covering […]
