Some Swiss doctors are demanding thousands of francs in cash from patients before operations, sometimes without providing receipts or clearly explaining the charges, according to an investigation by SRF. Patient advocates say the practice is becoming … [Read more...]
News and Features
Luzern overtakes Zug as Switzerland’s lowest-tax canton
For decades Zug has been synonymous with low corporate taxes. But according to a new analysis by PwC, Luzern has now edged ahead. The consulting firm calculates Luzern’s maximum effective corporate-tax rate at 11.66% in 2026, marginally below … [Read more...]
Swiss poll points to tight races on population cap and civil-service reform
If the upcoming votes had been held at the end of April, the “No to 10 Million Switzerland” initiative would have been tied, according to the latest SRG poll run by GFS Bern. Changes to the Civil Service Act would have passed. On June 14th 2026 … [Read more...]
Switzerland plans tougher penalties for bicycle theft
The Swiss government wants to crack down on bicycle theft by tightening penalties for offenders who claim they only intended to use stolen bikes temporarily, reported SRF. The Federal Council has backed a proposal by Lukas Reimann of the Swiss … [Read more...]
“Snow of May” – Swiss narcissus season in full bloom
The spring narcissus bloom in Switzerland's riviera region, a star tourist attraction of the Belle Epoque - the 30 to 40 years before the war in 1914 - was described as the "snow of May" by Ernest Hemingway in his novel A Farewell to Arms. The book … [Read more...]
Guides
Setting up a business in Switzerland – a guide
Brought to you by Winbiz online accounting for Swiss businesses. So you have decided to start a business. You have a business plan and are ready to get started. Before you launch you need a name and possibly a company. Broadly there are two options … [Read More...]
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...]
Activities
Basel Fasnacht 2025 – no ordinary festival
A parade that starts at 4 in the morning? With piccolos? And drums? In winter? Really? Yes, and you’ll be enchanted by the whole thing. Every year in the city of Basel on the Monday after Ash Wednesday (this year, March 10th), the Morgestraich … [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...]
The Swiss town on the 2019 New York Times’ places-to-visit list
Every year the New York Times assembles a list of 52 recommended places to visit. This year it lists Vevey at number 49. 2019 is a big year for Vevey. It is the year of the Unesco-recognized Fête des Vignerons, an event held every 20 to 25 … [Read more...]
