As heatwaves become more frequent across Europe, Switzerland is confronting an unfamiliar question: whether rules around air conditioning should become less restrictive. The country does not prohibit air conditioning outright. But installing a … [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...]
Drownings down in Switzerland
Forty-three people drowned in Switzerland last year, almost all of them in open water, according to the Swiss Lifesaving Society (SLS). Young adults and the elderly were the groups most affected. The death toll fell below 50 for the first time … [Read more...]
Knife attack suspect active in the Islamic extremist scene in Winterthur
Swiss investigators believe the man suspected of injuring three people in a knife attack in Winterthur had longstanding links to the local Islamist extremist scene, reported SRF. The 31-year-old allegedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” (“God is … [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
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...]
Hiring a cleaner – around half break law on Swiss accident insurance
Brought to you by quitt.ch - No. 1 provider of registration and administration services for domestic help in Switzerland. In Switzerland, around one in seven hire someone to do their cleaning, but around half break the law, risking fines and a big … [Read More...]
Activities
Going underground – Touring Switzerland’s oldest salt mine
There is a reason why the Swiss excel at digging tunnels: they have been doing it for a very long time. In 1680, tunnels were dug into the Vaud Alps near Bex to get at salt buried there more than 200 million years earlier, le Sel des … [Read more...]
Five gorgeous Swiss parks for contemplating autumn splendor
By Bill Harby Whether you prefer thickets of grand old trees, a formal English garden, or a pocket park, these five urban green spaces offer colourful ways to rustle through autumn leaves. Geneva: Park La Grange One minute you’re in bustling Geneva … [Read more...]
Places to go for early season skiing in Switzerland
Mention skiing in November and it is likely to draw blank expressions, or comments like: "It’s too early, there will be no snow". While this is true for some resorts not all ski domains were created equal. A recent study shows that in 2015, snow … [Read more...]
