In an exceptionally rare decision, the National Council’s finance committee has recommended rejecting Switzerland’s federal budget for 2027. Federal finance experts could recall no previous instance of a finance committee rejecting a budget at this … [Read more...]
News and Features
Summer heat linked to nearly 1,260 deaths in Switzerland
An estimated 1,257 deaths in Switzerland between May and August 2026 were attributable to heat, according to a preliminary report by the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, commissioned by the Federal Office of Public Health. The summer … [Read more...]
America’s drug-price strategy could hit Swiss health-insurance premiums
Efforts to cut American drug prices could cost Swiss health-insurance premium payers hundreds of millions of francs a year, a new study finds. Drug prices in Switzerland are among the world’s highest. In America, they are higher still. The … [Read more...]
Swiss unions plan vote on 5,000-franc minimum wage for apprenticeship graduates
Anyone who has completed an apprenticeship in Switzerland should earn at least CHF 5,000 a month in full-time emplyment says the Swiss Trade Union Federation. It plans to launch a popular initiative to introduce this minimum pay level. Delegates … [Read more...]
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...]
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...]
6-step guide to hiring a cleaner in Switzerland
Brought to you by quitt.ch - No. 1 provider of registration and administration services for domestic help in Switzerland. 1. What do cleaners cost in Switzerland? Cleaners are expensive in Switzerland and good personnel are hard to find. Prices … [Read More...]
Activities
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...]
Renowned artist EDWARD HOPPER in Basel
Solitary, pensive figures. Deserted streets or a luminous gas station in twilight. A night diner seen from outside. These are the static, atmospheric scenes we usually connect with Edward Hopper’s paintings. A uniquely American artist, who lived from … [Read more...]
20 ice skating rinks around Lake Geneva. Get your skates on!
Ice skating season is here so get your skates on! There are ice-skating rinks all over Geneva, Vaud and neighbouring Fribourg. Entrance prices vary and all rinks have skates that you can hire. The links below will take you to the relevant websites … [Read more...]
