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 Bureaucratic backlogs and rule changes on residency rights are having an increasing impact on the lives of foreigners living around Europe. Many say they have been left in legal limbo with their lives effectively on hold. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260411/a-nightmare-lives-of-foreigners-across-europe-hit-by-residency-card-delays Sat, 11 Apr 2026 11:53:39 +0200 a-nightmare-lives-of-foreigners-across-europe-hit-by-residency-card-delays Switzerland has rules for holders of long-term or permanent permits —and for a good reason: language proficiency proves you can live and work in the country with a (relative) ease. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230705/reader-question-do-i-need-to-know-a-swiss-language-to-get-the-c-permit Wed, 05 Jul 2023 10:55:32 +0200 reader-question-do-i-need-to-know-a-swiss-language-to-get-the-c-permit Certain countries across Europe demand foreign citizens pass a language test to qualify for certain residency permits. But how does each country compare and what level of language do they require? https://www.thelocal.ch/20260307/which-countries-in-europe-impose-language-tests-for-residency-permits Sat, 07 Mar 2026 10:36:10 +0100 which-countries-in-europe-impose-language-tests-for-residency-permits The EU hands out thousands of Blue Cards to highly-skilled third country nationals each year, according to the latest figures. But which nationalities receive the most and which EU country gives out the most? https://www.thelocal.ch/20260204/which-nationalities-get-the-most-eu-blue-cards-and-where-do-they-go Wed, 04 Feb 2026 12:56:51 +0100 which-nationalities-get-the-most-eu-blue-cards-and-where-do-they-go The general requirement for all foreign nationals working in Switzerland is to have a certain level of proficiency in a national language to qualify for their residency permit. The Local asked Swiss officials whether this rule is applied equally to all. https://www.thelocal.ch/20251111/are-all-foreigners-in-switzerland-bound-by-same-language-requirements-for-residency Tue, 11 Nov 2025 13:42:27 +0100 are-all-foreigners-in-switzerland-bound-by-same-language-requirements-for-residency Finishing work and heading off to a glorious new life as a retiree in Europe is the dream for many, but just how easy is it to do in reality? We compare the rules in 9 countries in Europe. https://www.thelocal.ch/20231119/compare-which-country-in-europe-is-it-the-easiest-to-retire-to Sun, 19 Nov 2023 10:52:52 +0100 compare-which-country-in-europe-is-it-the-easiest-to-retire-to Switzerland has agreements in place for the nationals of the European Union as well as EFTA countries – Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. But are conditions equal for all? https://www.thelocal.ch/20251104/are-efta-nationals-in-switzerland-subjected-to-the-same-rules-as-eu-citizens Tue, 04 Nov 2025 13:35:15 +0100 are-efta-nationals-in-switzerland-subjected-to-the-same-rules-as-eu-citizens If you are planning to follow your significant other to Switzerland, there are some important things you should know about the move. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240207/trailing-spouses-what-are-your-rights-if-you-move-to-switzerland-with-your-partner Wed, 07 Feb 2024 15:08:53 +0100 trailing-spouses-what-are-your-rights-if-you-move-to-switzerland-with-your-partner European countries countries issued some 3.57 million first time residency permits to non-EU nationals in 2024, 315,000 fewer than in 2023. How can the drop be explained? https://www.thelocal.ch/20250924/in-numbers-who-do-europes-3-57-million-residence-permits-go-to Wed, 24 Sep 2025 18:10:20 +0200 in-numbers-who-do-europes-3-57-million-residence-permits-go-to Tens of thousands of Americans, Brits, Indians, Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders, Nigerians and South Africans moved to European countries on first residency permits in 2024. But where did they all go and what for? https://www.thelocal.ch/20250926/where-in-europe-gives-the-most-residency-permits-to-americans-brits-and-indians Fri, 26 Sep 2025 12:40:02 +0200 where-in-europe-gives-the-most-residency-permits-to-americans-brits-and-indians 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 If you are planning to leave Switzerland for a while, it is good to ensure that being out of the country won't affect your residency and working rights. This is what you should know. https://www.thelocal.ch/20220802/reader-question-how-long-can-i-stay-out-of-switzerland-and-keep-my-residency-rights Tue, 02 Aug 2022 16:58:22 +0200 reader-question-how-long-can-i-stay-out-of-switzerland-and-keep-my-residency-rights The Swedish government's plan to tighten asylum rules to the strictest level allowable under EU law was supposed to be the crowning glory of its 'migration paradigm shift'. But the inquiry's first proposal could claim an unexpected victim: everyone from Switzerland. https://www.thelocal.ch/20250618/why-has-sweden-proposed-abolishing-permanent-residency-for-swiss-citizens Wed, 18 Jun 2025 11:17:03 +0200 why-has-sweden-proposed-abolishing-permanent-residency-for-swiss-citizens As a foreign national in Switzerland, your permit is a very important document, as it allows you to stay and work here. But what happens when it expires? https://www.thelocal.ch/20220922/what-are-my-rights-while-i-wait-for-my-swiss-residence-permit-to-be-extended Thu, 22 Sep 2022 14:30:59 +0200 what-are-my-rights-while-i-wait-for-my-swiss-residence-permit-to-be-extended With many countries in Europe imposing new or tougher language requirements for residency or citizenship, experts say it's no surprise given the rise of nationalist parties and the importance of language to national identity. https://www.thelocal.ch/20250306/social-glue-why-its-no-surprise-european-states-are-toughening-language-requirements Thu, 06 Mar 2025 14:47:31 +0100 social-glue-why-its-no-surprise-european-states-are-toughening-language-requirements More than 42,000 British citizens moved to EU countries in 2023, with the largest groups recorded in Spain, France and Germany, according to data published recently by the EU statistical office Eurostat. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240920/thousands-of-britons-still-moving-to-eu-countries-despite-brexit Fri, 20 Sep 2024 18:44:48 +0200 thousands-of-britons-still-moving-to-eu-countries-despite-brexit Both chambers of Switzerland’s parliament agree that a new law needs to be created to prevent foreign women who are abused by their partners from losing their residency permits. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240229/switzerland-to-stop-foreign-domestic-violence-victims-losing-residence-permits Thu, 29 Feb 2024 14:16:41 +0100 switzerland-to-stop-foreign-domestic-violence-victims-losing-residence-permits Several countries in Europe are reducing the salaries people from outside the EU need to be eligible for a work visa, although one – Sweden – is raising the threshold. Here's a comparison of current rules in the countries covered by The Local. https://www.thelocal.ch/20231018/compared-what-salary-do-you-need-to-get-a-work-permit-in-europe Wed, 18 Oct 2023 15:03:18 +0200 compared-what-salary-do-you-need-to-get-a-work-permit-in-europe For many foreign residents, permanent residency can bring about many benefits to daily life in Switzerland and eventually pave your way to Swiss citizenship. Here’s a step-by-step guide to fast tracking your Swiss permanent residency. https://www.thelocal.ch/20220203/explained-how-to-fast-track-permanent-residency-in-switzerland Thu, 03 Feb 2022 17:33:05 +0100 explained-how-to-fast-track-permanent-residency-in-switzerland While many foreign nationals living in the country eventually become naturalised, most never do. But can they remain in Switzerland long-term nevertheless? https://www.thelocal.ch/20230714/reader-question-can-i-stay-in-switzerland-indefinitely-if-i-am-not-a-swiss-citizen Fri, 14 Jul 2023 13:15:54 +0200 reader-question-can-i-stay-in-switzerland-indefinitely-if-i-am-not-a-swiss-citizen