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...]
News and Features

Switzerland’s polarised politics threaten to undo the 2027 budget
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...]

Switzerland’s vote to ban firecrackers
For some, fireworks are a tradition worth preserving. For others, they are a noisy nuisance. On November 29th Swiss voters will decide whether to restrict their private use. The popular initiative was submitted by animal-welfare organisations. … [Read more...]

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...]
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...]

8 things you must do if you’re running a Swiss business
Brought to you by Winbiz online accounting for Swiss businesses. Once a business is established, there are many ongoing administrative tasks required by law. The main ones are covered in this article. The first few relate to employees and … [Read More...]
Activities

Lake Geneva’s beautiful paddlewheel boats – getting there is way more than half the fun
They say that “getting there is half the fun”. But sometimes it’s more. A lot more. For example: a Lake Geneva cruise on a grand historic paddlewheel steamboat. Destination? Who cares? On a recent gorgeous Sunday afternoon, I, your intrepid … [Read more...]

Art in an alpine setting – the Pierre Arnaud Foundation in Valais
On 12 November 2016, Museums in Switzerland are free. Valais resident Peter Hulm suggests going to the Pierre Arnaud Foundation in Lens, just below Crans-Montana. Not just because of its magnificent building and a restaurant whose young chef was … [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...]

