Last year the courts invalidated the canton’s refusal to offer school places to children living in France. According to the newspaper Tribune de Genève, the canton continues to refuse these children places in its schools. In 2016, around 1,500 children living in France were going to school in Geneva. In 2017, things changed. 143 of […]
Swiss man arrested in connection with murder of Scandinavian tourists in Morocco has long criminal record
A Swiss man arrested in Morocco in connection with the brutal murder of two Scandinavian tourists has a criminal record and is suspected of being radicalised, according to the newspaper 20 Minutes. The man from Geneva has a criminal record for crimes committed between 2007 and 2013. His crimes include drug offenses, theft, burglary, property […]
New year swim in chilly Lake Geneva attracts 120 swimmers
On 1 January 2019, around 120 brave souls took the plunge into the cool waters (7 degrees) of Lake Geneva. The event, which started 22 years ago, kicked off around midday with a champagne celebration. According to Le Matin, the event was started by a local resident from Lapland in 1997. The first year, there […]
Renewal of Swiss residence permits now depends on good behaviour and integration
From 1 January 2019, the rules around renewing Swiss residence permits are different. The change, decided last year, grants renewals only if certain requirements are met. These include respect for the constitution and its values, respect for public order, participation in economic life1 or education, and competency in the local language. Language competence will be […]
Swiss adds new summer destinations from Geneva
From 22 June 2019, Swiss will add five new destinations from Geneva. Brindisi in Puglia, the Portuguese city of Faro, the Greek island of Mykonos, and Alicante and Ibiza in Spain will all be served directly from Geneva. This will bring the airline’s total direct destinations from Geneva to 42. Flights to these new destinations […]
Swiss government approves post-Brexit deal on treatment of UK and Swiss nationals
Today, The Federal Council, Switzerland’s executive, announced it has approved a deal safeguarding the rights of Swiss and UK citizens after Brexit. The agreement is part of a package of deals being worked out as part of a plan dubbed “Mind the Gap”. Under the agreement, any UK citizen residing in Switzerland before Brexit will […]
Swiss offers fondue on flights from Geneva
On 1 December 2018, Switzerland’s flag carrier started offering cheese fondue on flights out of Geneva. The dish is a new addition to the airline’s Swiss Saveurs menu, which was launched six months earlier. The pre-heated, specially packaged fondue, which is 50% Vacherin Fribourg and 50% Gruyère cheese, is available on Swiss flights from Geneva […]
New nuclear reactors might be planned near Geneva
The French power company EDF has been looking at buying land near a nuclear power plant in the nearby department of Ain, according to the newspaper Le Temps. It is understood that a third generation Evolutionary Power Reactor (EPR) could be built there. An EPR is a type of pressurized water reactor developed by EDF […]
French road protests likely to affect traffic in parts Switzerland
This Saturday, protests by the “Yellow vests”, a group protesting over rising French fuel prices, are expected to cause gridlock on roads across France, according to various French newspapers. It is feared the effects could spillover into nearby Switzerland. The group is voicing its anger over rising fuel prices, which have risen because of higher […]
Nearly half of Swiss residents in Geneva have more than one nationality
Across all of Switzerland, 17.3% of Swiss over 15 have more than one nationality. However in Geneva, the figure (45.0%) is close to half. No other Swiss canton comes close. The next highest are Ticino (29.2%), Vaud (27.6%) and Neuchâtel (26.7%). The German-speaking cantons of Basel-City (23.8%), Zurich (20.5%) and Zug (15.3%) are next. Of […]
