Swiss Rail is betting that Swiss travellers want more access to neighbouring Europe. Its proposed 2027 timetable, due to take effect on December 13th, places greater emphasis on international routes, with improved services to Paris and northern … [Read more...]
News and Features

Language requirements for Swiss citizenship and visas – what you need to know
Brought to you by Swiss French School. On 1 January 2019, Switzerland’s federal government tightened and harmonised the rules on language requirements to qualify for some residence permits, B and C permits in particular, and … [Read more...]

Switzerland may soon offer marriage-lite
Switzerland may soon offer couples a legal status somewhere between marriage and simple cohabitation. Lawmakers are considering the introduction of a civil partnership model known as a PACS (“Pacte civil de solidarité”), inspired by a system that has … [Read more...]

Swiss voters will decide on two popular initiatives on September 27th
Swiss voters will decide on two popular initiatives on September 27th: one on neutrality and another on food policy. The government confirmed the ballot measures on Wednesday. The “Safeguarding Swiss Neutrality” initiative, backed by Pro Suisse … [Read more...]

What impact could a 10m population cap have on Swiss pensions and health premiums?
Switzerland’s referendum on June 14th is ostensibly about immigration and relations with the European Union. But the outcome could also have far-reaching consequences for the country’s welfare state. Supporters of the Swiss People’s Party … [Read more...]
Guides

10-step guide to hiring an employee in Switzerland
Brought to you by quitt.business. For startups and small companies, hiring and onboarding new employees can be a real hassle. In Switzerland especially, there is a significant amount of admin to deal with. The following is a guide to all the … [Read More...]

15 things you should know about Swiss health insurance
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 … [Read More...]
Activities

Montreux to Gruyères on the chocolate train. Switzerland’s most delicious trip.
By Bill Harby Sorry Willy Wonka, but you won’t want to eat your mode of transportation on The Chocolate Train tour. However, yes, before the day is out, you will taste delicious Swiss chocolate and cheese, and still have time to explore one of the … [Read more...]

How Switzerland’s best river swim became a summertime commute
Most people float down the Aare River in Bern just for fun. For Evelyn Schneider-Reyes, it was her summertime commute home. “I only had like 30 seconds walking from my office to the river,” she recalls. “I had an ‘Aare Bag’, where I put all my … [Read more...]

5 totally-not-stuffy Swiss museums for kids of all ages
By Bill Harby Winter weather is the perfect time for families to explore Switzerland’s fine museums. Some suggestions: Swiss Museum of Transport Lucern No wonder this is the most-visited museum in Switzerland with its hands-on exhibits showing the … [Read more...]

