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 Lawmakers in France are scheduled to vote on Tuesday to ban social media for under-15s -- one of 20 countries worldwide to have proposed or introduced such measures, with many of them in Europe. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260713/eu-to-limit-childrens-access-to-social-media Mon, 13 Jul 2026 12:02:47 +0200 eu-to-limit-childrens-access-to-social-media As 2026 is in its second month, let’s look at what changes – for better or for worse – for families in Switzerland. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260209/what-changes-for-families-in-switzerland-in-2026 Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:27:50 +0100 what-changes-for-families-in-switzerland-in-2026 The birth of a child is an exciting milestone for families. But in Switzerland it also requires you to complete a substantial amount of paperwork - all at a time when you're operating on minimal sleep. Here's what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230515/8-things-you-need-to-do-after-having-a-baby-in-switzerland Mon, 15 May 2023 14:36:31 +0200 8-things-you-need-to-do-after-having-a-baby-in-switzerland Whether its your name, taxes, or inheritance, getting hitched in Switzerland not only has personal, but financial consequences for newlyweds. Here’s what changes – and what doesn’t – when you say ‘I do’ in Switzerland. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230516/what-changes-and-what-doesnt-when-you-get-married-in-switzerland Tue, 16 May 2023 19:18:05 +0200 what-changes-and-what-doesnt-when-you-get-married-in-switzerland Perhaps you and your spouse are foreign nationals who got married abroad. Or maybe you are Swiss but decided to wed in Las Vegas with an Elvis Presley impersonator. Will your marriage be valid in Switzerland? https://www.thelocal.ch/20230524/is-foreign-marriage-recognised-in-switzerland Wed, 24 May 2023 16:02:48 +0200 is-foreign-marriage-recognised-in-switzerland You probably know by now that the Swiss just love paperwork, and they have an official document for almost everything — from registration with a commune of residence to a family certificate. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240516/what-is-switzerlands-family-certificate-and-who-needs-to-have-it Thu, 16 May 2024 16:59:38 +0200 what-is-switzerlands-family-certificate-and-who-needs-to-have-it Switzerland should introduce a total of 36 weeks of parental leave after the birth of a child — that is, 18 weeks for each parent, according to a new popular initiative. https://www.thelocal.ch/20250402/36-weeks-the-new-plan-for-extended-parental-leave-in-switzerland Wed, 02 Apr 2025 15:46:42 +0200 36-weeks-the-new-plan-for-extended-parental-leave-in-switzerland These days, it’s not just celebrities who seem to have a penchant for ruining their child’s life by bestowing him or her with an odd moniker. In Switzerland however, there are several rules about what you can - and cannot - name your child. https://www.thelocal.ch/20220705/explained-which-baby-names-are-banned-in-switzerland Tue, 05 Jul 2022 19:19:04 +0200 explained-which-baby-names-are-banned-in-switzerland Thinking of taking the plunge in Switzerland? Here are some important things to consider. https://www.thelocal.ch/20220106/does-marriage-make-financial-sense-in-switzerland Thu, 06 Jan 2022 12:13:19 +0100 does-marriage-make-financial-sense-in-switzerland If you are newly arrived in Switzerland, or just had a baby here, you may be wondering what financial help you are entitled to. https://www.thelocal.ch/20241025/what-benefits-are-you-entitled-to-in-switzerland-if-you-have-children Fri, 25 Oct 2024 15:31:13 +0200 what-benefits-are-you-entitled-to-in-switzerland-if-you-have-children Choosing when to leave their child home alone for the first time is a decision all parents will face at some point. But when is the right time to leave your child alone, and for how long? Here’s what the Swiss law says. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230616/what-is-the-law-in-switzerland-on-leaving-children-home-alone Fri, 16 Jun 2023 16:29:08 +0200 what-is-the-law-in-switzerland-on-leaving-children-home-alone A new list of the most common names parents in Switzerland have given their newborns reveals one interesting fact: there is no Heidi among the top 10. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240823/old-new-and-trending-what-were-the-most-popular-baby-names-in-switzerland-in-2023 Fri, 23 Aug 2024 12:52:50 +0200 old-new-and-trending-what-were-the-most-popular-baby-names-in-switzerland-in-2023 Does Switzerland allow parents to take children out of school so they can go on holiday, or to extend their vacation time? https://www.thelocal.ch/20230802/what-are-the-rules-on-taking-your-child-out-of-school-in-switzerland-to-go-on-holiday Wed, 02 Aug 2023 18:22:14 +0200 what-are-the-rules-on-taking-your-child-out-of-school-in-switzerland-to-go-on-holiday The National Council accepted a motion allowing engaged couples in Switzerland to choose the surname they will take on after marriage. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240607/double-surnames-to-make-a-comeback-in-switzerland Fri, 07 Jun 2024 13:37:17 +0200 double-surnames-to-make-a-comeback-in-switzerland One of the most complex challenges facing parents in Switzerland is balancing family life with a professional career. How well do they manage to do it? Please share your own views in the comments section below. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240524/does-switzerland-offer-a-poor-work-life-balance-for-families Fri, 24 May 2024 15:27:32 +0200 does-switzerland-offer-a-poor-work-life-balance-for-families Many families in Switzerland are struggling to make ends meet as the cost of living increases, according to a new study. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240314/families-in-switzerland-having-fewer-children-due-to-financial-worries Thu, 14 Mar 2024 12:54:41 +0100 families-in-switzerland-having-fewer-children-due-to-financial-worries The number of births in Europe have dropped dramatically in recent years, new statistics reveal. But which countries have seen the biggest drop in the birthrate? https://www.thelocal.ch/20240310/compare-where-in-europe-now-has-the-lowest-birth-rate Sun, 10 Mar 2024 11:04:45 +0100 compare-where-in-europe-now-has-the-lowest-birth-rate Since 2013, double-barrelled surnames have not been permitted in Switzerland, but this rule looks set to be overturned. https://www.thelocal.ch/20231101/why-switzerland-wants-to-re-introduce-double-surnames Wed, 01 Nov 2023 12:39:24 +0100 why-switzerland-wants-to-re-introduce-double-surnames Thousands of children were probably illegally adopted abroad and brought to Switzerland between 1970 and 1990, the government admitted Friday. https://www.thelocal.ch/20231208/switzerland-says-thousands-of-illegally-adopted-children-brought-to-country Fri, 08 Dec 2023 18:24:13 +0100 switzerland-says-thousands-of-illegally-adopted-children-brought-to-country While there is no general entitlement to birth and adoption allowances in Switzerland at the federal level, some cantons choose to provide a one-off payment when you welcome a new family member. https://www.thelocal.ch/20231006/where-in-switzerland-can-you-get-a-one-off-payment-after-having-a-child Fri, 06 Oct 2023 17:44:35 +0200 where-in-switzerland-can-you-get-a-one-off-payment-after-having-a-child