Switzerland’s housing market tightened further in 2026 to reach a vacancy rate below 1% for the first time since 2013. On June 1st, 45,493 homes stood empty, according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), equivalent to 0.93% of the housing … [Read more...]
News and Features
Switzerland’s biggest battery joins the grid — for now
This week, a 58.4MW battery-storage plant has opened in Gurtnellen, in the canton of Uri, reported Axpo. It is the largest of its kind in Switzerland, though probably not for long. What is it? Switzerland’s biggest battery-storage facility has … [Read more...]
Why home ownership varies so sharply across Switzerland’s cantons
Switzerland’s housing market varies significantly by region. The chances of owning a home depend heavily on the canton in which one lives. Switzerland’s home-ownership rate is low by European standards, but the national figure hides a much more … [Read more...]
Most Swiss electricity bills to fall in 2027
Swiss households will get some relief from high electricity bills next year. Prices in the regulated basic-supply market will fall by a median 4% in 2027, according to ElCom, the federal electricity regulator. A typical household consuming 4,500kWh a … [Read more...]
Switzerland’s cow parades are back: where to see them in 2026
Each autumn Switzerland’s cattle leave their high pastures for the valleys. The journey, known as a désalpe in French-speaking Switzerland and an Alpabzug in German-speaking areas, has become one of the country’s most photogenic rural traditions. … [Read more...]
Guides
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...]
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...]
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...]
Vaud’s vineyard touring and wine tasting season is fast approaching
The wine tasting season is approaching in Vaud, the Swiss canton stretching around the shores of Lake Geneva. With its six distinctive wine growing regions and eight appellations, Vaud is Switzerland’s second largest wine producing region. … [Read more...]
Switzerland’s cow parades are back: where to see them in 2026
Each autumn Switzerland’s cattle leave their high pastures for the valleys. The journey, known as a désalpe in French-speaking Switzerland and an Alpabzug in German-speaking areas, has become one of the country’s most photogenic rural traditions. … [Read more...]
