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 Many foreign nationals living in Switzerland have a basic proficiency in German, but are shy about speaking it with the locals. A language expert explains to The Local how they to overcome this particular inhibition. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260511/be-persistent-how-foreigners-in-switzerland-can-be-confident-speaking-german Mon, 11 May 2026 16:41:12 +0200 be-persistent-how-foreigners-in-switzerland-can-be-confident-speaking-german After some delays due to logistics, Switzerland’s first national telephone number for victims of domestic abuse - 142 – has gone live on May 1st. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260501/142-what-you-should-know-about-switzerlands-new-domestic-violence-hotline Fri, 01 May 2026 12:48:11 +0200 142-what-you-should-know-about-switzerlands-new-domestic-violence-hotline Several proposals and changes are currently underway in Switzerland that could impact the lives of foreign nationals next year or beyond if they are implemented. https://www.thelocal.ch/20251120/what-immigration-changes-await-foreigners-in-switzerland-in-2026-and-beyond Thu, 20 Nov 2025 15:33:40 +0100 what-immigration-changes-await-foreigners-in-switzerland-in-2026-and-beyond You've probably noticed that people from the European Union, as well as Norway Iceland, and Liechtenstein (so-called EFTA countries) are treated differently in Switzerland than their counterparts from outside the EU. Why is that and what are they each entitled to? https://www.thelocal.ch/20230628/what-are-eu-efta-citizens-entitled-to-in-switzerland-compared-to-non-eu-nationals Wed, 28 Jun 2023 12:00:41 +0200 what-are-eu-efta-citizens-entitled-to-in-switzerland-compared-to-non-eu-nationals Whether its work permits, health insurance or buying property we'd like to hear from readers about what the main problems are in 2026 for international residents living in Switzerland. Please take part in our one minute survey. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260416/tell-us-what-are-the-chief-problems-facing-foreign-residents-in-switzerland Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:34:36 +0200 tell-us-what-are-the-chief-problems-facing-foreign-residents-in-switzerland If you haven’t realised it yet, being proficient in ‘German’ does not quite equate to being well integrated in Switzerland. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260420/why-speaking-standard-german-could-be-a-problem-in-switzerland Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:32:26 +0200 why-speaking-standard-german-could-be-a-problem-in-switzerland Integration is not easy for many foreigners, regardless of age, but immersion in a new culture may be particularly challenging for older individuals. Are there any associations in Switzerland that can help this process along? https://www.thelocal.ch/20260417/what-groups-can-older-people-join-to-help-them-integrate-in-switzerland Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:03:48 +0200 what-groups-can-older-people-join-to-help-them-integrate-in-switzerland If you have lived in Switzerland for a while, chances are you have been asked to present this document in certain situations to prove that you don’t have a criminal past (or present). https://www.thelocal.ch/20221216/what-is-a-criminal-records-extract-and-what-do-you-need-it-for-in-switzerland Fri, 16 Dec 2022 15:22:13 +0100 what-is-a-criminal-records-extract-and-what-do-you-need-it-for-in-switzerland In popular culture, Swiss banks are often synonymous with dirty money, illicit dealings and gold. But how true (or not) are these rumours? https://www.thelocal.ch/20220128/six-myths-about-swiss-banks-that-need-to-be-busted Fri, 28 Jan 2022 14:23:55 +0100 six-myths-about-swiss-banks-that-need-to-be-busted Most international residents who set up a new life in Switzerland will testify to the fact that integrating in the country can be problematic, but the duo behind the podcast As Swiss as Possible have some key advice for how to overcome the inevitable obstacles. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260323/how-to-overcome-the-hurdles-everyone-faces-when-integrating-in-switzerland Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:47:51 +0100 how-to-overcome-the-hurdles-everyone-faces-when-integrating-in-switzerland If you missed your tax deadline in Switzerland, can you ask for an extension. However, each canton has a different one. https://www.thelocal.ch/20210322/when-to-lodge-your-tax-in-switzerland-and-how-to-get-an-extension Mon, 22 Mar 2021 15:06:29 +0100 when-to-lodge-your-tax-in-switzerland-and-how-to-get-an-extension Only 276 kilometres lie between Switzerland’s two largest cities, but distance is not the only thing that separates Switzerland's German and French-speaking hubs. https://www.thelocal.ch/20191031/swiss-city-differences-updated Thu, 31 Oct 2019 16:15:22 +0100 swiss-city-differences-updated Australian Hugh Chaffey-Millar came to Switzerland in 2013 and finally became a Swiss citizen last year. Here he shares tips with The Local to help foreigners in their long, and often bumpy, quest for integration and naturalisation. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260401/learn-about-your-community-what-you-need-to-go-through-to-become-a-swiss-citizen Wed, 01 Apr 2026 11:43:53 +0200 learn-about-your-community-what-you-need-to-go-through-to-become-a-swiss-citizen Like every year at this time, traffic jams are forming on the roads leading to Ticino. The reason is that many residents of other Swiss regions like to spend this holiday in the Italian-speaking canton. Here's why. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230406/bello-why-is-ticino-switzerlands-favourite-easter-destination Thu, 06 Apr 2023 15:14:12 +0200 bello-why-is-ticino-switzerlands-favourite-easter-destination If you are a new arrival in Switzerland, or even if you have been living here for a while but are not familiar with local laws, these are the rules you need to follow to avoid being slapped with a fine. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240612/what-you-can-be-fined-for-in-switzerland-if-you-dont-follow-everyday-rules Wed, 12 Jun 2024 12:13:13 +0200 what-you-can-be-fined-for-in-switzerland-if-you-dont-follow-everyday-rules When it comes to getting settled in Switzerland, many rules and regulations are different, even stranger to those in other countries. https://www.thelocal.ch/20210108/explained-five-things-you-should-do-when-you-move-to-switzerland Fri, 08 Jan 2021 10:55:13 +0100 explained-five-things-you-should-do-when-you-move-to-switzerland The strict criteria for obtaining a Swiss passport means that as many as one fifth of applications to become Swiss are rejected. Here’s what you should know about increasing your chances of being naturalised. https://www.thelocal.ch/20220202/why-your-swiss-citizenship-application-might-be-rejected-and-how-to-avoid-it Wed, 02 Feb 2022 11:14:37 +0100 why-your-swiss-citizenship-application-might-be-rejected-and-how-to-avoid-it Though it is not one of Switzerland’s national languages, English is, nevertheless, one of the main ones used in business and education. And it's use is on the rise. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260306/in-numbers-how-english-has-gained-ground-in-swiss-workplaces Fri, 06 Mar 2026 15:13:47 +0100 in-numbers-how-english-has-gained-ground-in-swiss-workplaces The notion of individual responsibility is not only a legal obligation, but it is also deeply engrained in Swiss mentality and culture. And it manifests itself in various ways. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260305/why-is-personal-responsibility-so-important-in-switzerland Thu, 05 Mar 2026 15:59:08 +0100 why-is-personal-responsibility-so-important-in-switzerland Overall, Switzerland remains a safe nation, especially when compared with many others. But a new government analysis has, nevertheless, found potential risks that could significantly impact the country's residents. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260302/listed-the-biggest-risks-for-switzerlands-residents-in-2026 Mon, 02 Mar 2026 14:21:08 +0100 listed-the-biggest-risks-for-switzerlands-residents-in-2026