https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Switzerland in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed The Swiss will vote next month on an initiative to cap the population at 10 million -- an anti-immigration proposal that is fracturing public opinion in the wealthy Alpine nation. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260525/swiss-divided-as-population-cap-vote-nears Mon, 25 May 2026 10:35:09 +0200 swiss-divided-as-population-cap-vote-nears French four-time Formula One champion Alain Prost was injured during a violent robbery at his home in Switzerland, Swiss media reported Saturday. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260523/f1-legend-alain-prosts-swiss-home-robbed Sat, 23 May 2026 16:14:07 +0200 f1-legend-alain-prosts-swiss-home-robbed With governments across Europe tightening citizenship and residency requirements, language and country knowledge tests are often framed as measures of integration. But are governments really talking to domestic political audiences? https://www.thelocal.ch/20260523/are-government-language-tests-in-europe-integration-policy-or-just-political-posturing Sat, 23 May 2026 10:24:29 +0200 are-government-language-tests-in-europe-integration-policy-or-just-political-posturing If you've spent time in Switzerland, you will have noticed that most shops close on Sundays. It's a part of Swiss law and culture to treat Sunday as a day of rest. But it can be a major inconvenience when you forget to shop on Saturday. https://www.thelocal.ch/20251118/where-can-you-shop-in-switzerland-on-a-sunday Tue, 18 Nov 2025 16:56:44 +0100 where-can-you-shop-in-switzerland-on-a-sunday If you have been looking for an apartment for a long time and finally found one you like, you may be ready to fulfil any of your landlord’s conditions. But Swiss law places clear limits on what a landlord can demand of new and existing tenants. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240911/8-things-landlords-in-switzerland-can-never-ask-of-tenants Wed, 11 Sep 2024 09:51:02 +0200 8-things-landlords-in-switzerland-can-never-ask-of-tenants Switzerland’s population might never grow as much far-right suggests, and an SVP official goes against party line to recruit workers from abroad — these are among the news that The Local reported this week. You can catch up on everything in this weekly roundup. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260522/six-big-news-stories-from-switzerland-you-need-to-catch-up-on-this-week-44 Fri, 22 May 2026 15:26:23 +0200 six-big-news-stories-from-switzerland-you-need-to-catch-up-on-this-week-44 AI is transforming job application processes in Switzerland, but candidates are adopting this technology significantly faster than employers, a new study found. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260522/how-artificial-intelligence-is-re-shaping-job-application-process-in-switzerland Fri, 22 May 2026 12:24:25 +0200 how-artificial-intelligence-is-re-shaping-job-application-process-in-switzerland Geneva residents have been warned about disturbances to expect in mid-June. They concern visitors to the Swiss city as well. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260522/the-disruptions-in-and-around-geneva-you-need-to-be-aware-of-in-june Fri, 22 May 2026 11:34:38 +0200 the-disruptions-in-and-around-geneva-you-need-to-be-aware-of-in-june After more than a week of rainy and cool weather, Switzerland's residents can look forward to sun and high temperatures at last. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260519/summer-like-weather-forecast-for-switzerland-after-a-chilly-spell Tue, 19 May 2026 15:07:50 +0200 summer-like-weather-forecast-for-switzerland-after-a-chilly-spell The national railway company, SBB, has released its timetable for 2027, featuring some new or improved connections between Swiss and European cities. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260521/listed-the-changes-for-international-trains-to-and-from-switzerland Thu, 21 May 2026 16:41:22 +0200 listed-the-changes-for-international-trains-to-and-from-switzerland The latest opinion polls suggest Swiss voters will back the 'No to 10 million' proposal aimed at limiting immigration in Switzerland. So what will happen after the June 14th vote if that happens? https://www.thelocal.ch/20260521/what-happens-next-if-swiss-voters-approve-no-to-10-million-initiative Thu, 21 May 2026 13:00:15 +0200 what-happens-next-if-swiss-voters-approve-no-to-10-million-initiative More and more Swiss employers are requiring a medical certificate from the employee's first day of absence. However, doctors are not happy about this trend. https://www.thelocal.ch/20251020/do-you-need-a-sick-note-on-your-first-day-off-in-switzerland Mon, 20 Oct 2025 11:57:32 +0200 do-you-need-a-sick-note-on-your-first-day-off-in-switzerland With its ‘No to 10 million’ initiative, the far-right Swiss People’s Party (SVP) seeks to cap immigration from the European Union. But one of the party’s leaders actually recruits foreign employees for her company. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260520/prominent-backer-of-swiss-anti-immigration-plan-under-spotlight-for-hiring-eu-workers Wed, 20 May 2026 15:49:06 +0200 prominent-backer-of-swiss-anti-immigration-plan-under-spotlight-for-hiring-eu-workers In the first six months of operation of the new EU digital border system, the Entry-Exit System (EES), almost 7,000 travellers were denied entry into Europe's border-free Schengen area because they stayed beyond their permitted time limit, a European Commission report has revealed. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260520/ees-7000-overstayers-snared-since-launch-of-eus-new-schengen-border-checks Wed, 20 May 2026 14:37:30 +0200 ees-7000-overstayers-snared-since-launch-of-eus-new-schengen-border-checks Cyber attacks are on the rise in Switzerland and there is a reason why criminals consider the country a valuable target. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260520/why-is-switzerland-now-a-prime-target-for-cyber-criminals Wed, 20 May 2026 13:22:52 +0200 why-is-switzerland-now-a-prime-target-for-cyber-criminals If you need to take your bike with you on a train in Switzerland, you should know the rules to avoid getting asked to leave the train. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260520/what-are-the-rules-for-taking-bikes-on-swiss-trains Wed, 20 May 2026 13:20:35 +0200 what-are-the-rules-for-taking-bikes-on-swiss-trains From a major referendum to a new night train between Switzerland and three European cities, these are the changes you can expect in June 2026. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260519/everything-that-changes-about-life-in-switzerland-in-june-2026 Tue, 19 May 2026 15:09:26 +0200 everything-that-changes-about-life-in-switzerland-in-june-2026 The aim of the hard-right’s initiative to cap immigration is to prevent Switzerland’s population from growing to 10 million residents. But a demographer says this threshold will likely never be reached even if no cap is enforced. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260519/why-switzerlands-population-may-never-reach-the-10-million-mark Tue, 19 May 2026 12:39:00 +0200 why-switzerlands-population-may-never-reach-the-10-million-mark The number of people refused entry to the EU and Schengen area has risen dramatically, according to new statistics, while thousands of US, UK and Indian nationals have been found to be illegally present in EU/Schengen countries. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260518/trend-will-continue-number-of-people-refused-entry-to-europe-on-the-rise Mon, 18 May 2026 15:58:26 +0200 trend-will-continue-number-of-people-refused-entry-to-europe-on-the-rise On June 14th, voters in Switzerland will have their say on two federal initiatives, as well as on a number of issues of regional importance. We have selected the cantonal votes that are most likely to matter to local residents. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260518/taxes-and-wages-whats-at-stake-in-swiss-cantonal-referendums-in-june Mon, 18 May 2026 15:49:41 +0200 taxes-and-wages-whats-at-stake-in-swiss-cantonal-referendums-in-june