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 In Switzerland, barbecuing in the great outdoors is a must in the summer. But what does Swiss law say about grilling while enjoying the nature? Here’s what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230612/reader-question-can-i-have-a-barbecue-in-a-swiss-park-or-forest Mon, 12 Jun 2023 11:48:11 +0200 reader-question-can-i-have-a-barbecue-in-a-swiss-park-or-forest As you merrily dash down the snowy slopes of the Swiss Alps, you probably don't think about flying down and injuring yourself. But there are things you should definitely consider. https://www.thelocal.ch/20221129/reader-question-should-i-take-out-additional-insurance-before-i-go-skiing-in-switzerland Tue, 29 Nov 2022 14:59:10 +0100 reader-question-should-i-take-out-additional-insurance-before-i-go-skiing-in-switzerland One of the criteria for foreigners to be naturalised in Switzerland is that they should be well integrated into Swiss society. In many instances, this requirement is more important than the knowledge of the country’s history. https://www.thelocal.ch/20210315/reader-question-what-does-being-successfully-integrated-in-switzerland-mean Mon, 15 Mar 2021 12:51:51 +0100 reader-question-what-does-being-successfully-integrated-in-switzerland-mean 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 17:56:44 +0100 where-can-you-shop-in-switzerland-on-a-sunday Swiss work permits are canton specific, but does this mean you can never change your place of residence? https://www.thelocal.ch/20221107/reader-question-does-my-work-permit-let-me-move-from-one-swiss-canton-to-another Mon, 07 Nov 2022 12:13:12 +0100 reader-question-does-my-work-permit-let-me-move-from-one-swiss-canton-to-another Halloween is a much awaited holiday on the North American calendar, but what about in Switzerland? https://www.thelocal.ch/20211026/reader-question-does-switzerland-celebrate-halloween Tue, 26 Oct 2021 14:39:09 +0200 reader-question-does-switzerland-celebrate-halloween Whether an insurance carrier in Switzerland can turn you down because of chronic illnesses depends on the kind of coverage you are seeking. https://www.thelocal.ch/20210827/reader-question-can-i-be-excluded-from-swiss-health-insurance-if-i-have-pre-existing-medical-conditions Fri, 27 Aug 2021 10:28:13 +0200 reader-question-can-i-be-excluded-from-swiss-health-insurance-if-i-have-pre-existing-medical-conditions With winter arriving soon, we looked at when you need to fit your car with winter tyres, when you must remove them - and what the consequences are if you fail to do so. https://www.thelocal.ch/20241111/reader-question-when-must-i-change-to-winter-tyres-in-switzerland Mon, 11 Nov 2024 16:17:59 +0100 reader-question-when-must-i-change-to-winter-tyres-in-switzerland The EU's new Entry & Exit System (EES) of enhanced passport controls will be launched on October 12th, albeit in a phased in approach, but how will it impact non-EU residents legally living in EU/Schengen countries? https://www.thelocal.ch/20240427/reader-question-what-will-ees-mean-for-foreigners-living-in-europe Sat, 27 Apr 2024 07:59:09 +0200 reader-question-what-will-ees-mean-for-foreigners-living-in-europe Regardless of whether you are a Swiss citizen or a EU/EFTA national looking for work, you may be wondering whether an employment agency may boost your chances of getting a good job in Switzerland. https://www.thelocal.ch/20251006/could-a-recruitment-agency-help-me-find-a-job-in-switzerland Mon, 06 Oct 2025 15:31:38 +0200 could-a-recruitment-agency-help-me-find-a-job-in-switzerland If your move is taking place during the week, you may wonder if your Swiss employer will give you time off from work. Here’s what you should know. https://www.thelocal.ch/20250915/can-i-get-time-off-work-for-moving-house-in-switzerland Mon, 15 Sep 2025 17:26:04 +0200 can-i-get-time-off-work-for-moving-house-in-switzerland Family reunification can be tricky in Switzerland, depending on where you and your family are from. Here is what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.ch/20220811/reader-question-how-can-i-bring-my-family-to-live-with-me-in-switzerland Thu, 11 Aug 2022 13:58:29 +0200 reader-question-how-can-i-bring-my-family-to-live-with-me-in-switzerland Although the national currency of Switzerland is the Swiss franc, you can also pay in euros in many places. However, you may not always get a fair exchange rate. Here's what you should know. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230505/reader-question-can-i-use-euros-to-pay-for-goods-in-switzerland Fri, 05 May 2023 18:48:43 +0200 reader-question-can-i-use-euros-to-pay-for-goods-in-switzerland Nothing disturbs your peace more than loud noises made by your neighbours. But Swiss law provides for some specific rules in such situations. https://www.thelocal.ch/20220913/reader-question-what-can-residents-in-switzerland-do-about-noisy-neighbours Tue, 13 Sep 2022 14:10:16 +0200 reader-question-what-can-residents-in-switzerland-do-about-noisy-neighbours 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 Switzerland is not the only country where you should pay invoices in a timely manner, as this is expected elsewhere as well. But what happens if you pay late — or not at all? https://www.thelocal.ch/20221201/readers-question-what-happens-if-i-dont-pay-my-swiss-bills-on-time Thu, 01 Dec 2022 13:06:57 +0100 readers-question-what-happens-if-i-dont-pay-my-swiss-bills-on-time Obtaining Swiss citizenship is not easy, as many people who have gone through this process will tell you. A naturalisation exam is part of this procedure, although there are exceptions. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240220/whos-exempt-from-taking-a-swiss-citizenship-test-for-naturalisation Tue, 20 Feb 2024 12:50:28 +0100 whos-exempt-from-taking-a-swiss-citizenship-test-for-naturalisation If you are a legal foreign resident in Switzerland, then some rules apply if you decide to leave the country for a long stay abroad. https://www.thelocal.ch/20221206/reader-question-do-i-have-to-notify-swiss-authorities-if-i-go-abroad Tue, 06 Dec 2022 17:12:51 +0100 reader-question-do-i-have-to-notify-swiss-authorities-if-i-go-abroad Wages in Switzerland are generally higher than almost everywhere else in Europe. But how can you know if you are being paid enough — and what can you do if you are not? https://www.thelocal.ch/20230112/reader-question-how-can-i-find-out-if-my-swiss-employer-is-underpaying-me Thu, 12 Jan 2023 16:29:07 +0100 reader-question-how-can-i-find-out-if-my-swiss-employer-is-underpaying-me Swiss schools take a tough stance on parents who take their children out of class to go on holiday, or to extend their vacation time. https://www.thelocal.ch/20250423/what-could-happen-if-children-miss-school-in-switzerland-during-term-time Wed, 23 Apr 2025 14:24:06 +0200 what-could-happen-if-children-miss-school-in-switzerland-during-term-time