The Local Switzerland 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 EU Commission mulls revision of Schengen visa rules and fees The European Commission is planning a revision of Schengen rules on short-stay visas to make the EU’s visa policy "more coherent, secure and effective, while facilitating legitimate travel". https://www.thelocal.ch/20260914/eu-commission-mulls-revision-of-schengen-visa-rules-and-fees Mon, 14 Sep 2026 18:07:23 +0200 eu-commission-mulls-revision-of-schengen-visa-rules-and-fees What's the difference between Schengen and EU free movement rules? With countries across Europe reintroducing police checks at internal borders with neighbouring states there has been renewed attention on how the borderless Schengen area works and how it's linked to the EU"s free movement principle. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260828/whats-the-difference-between-schengen-and-eu-free-movement-rules Fri, 28 Aug 2026 11:36:32 +0200 whats-the-difference-between-schengen-and-eu-free-movement-rules What to expect as Germany extends border checks with Switzerland Germany plans to keep controls at its nine land borders until March 2027. How will this affect travel to and from Switzerland? https://www.thelocal.ch/20260825/what-to-expect-as-germany-extends-border-checks-with-switzerland Tue, 25 Aug 2026 10:48:09 +0200 what-to-expect-as-germany-extends-border-checks-with-switzerland Can an EU member state be kicked out of Schengen zone? Several EU countries have caused a stir when they called to shut Spain out of the EU's visa-free Schengen travel zone after the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in Morocco was overwhelmed this week by thousands of migrant arrivals. Is that possible? https://www.thelocal.ch/20260731/can-an-eu-member-state-be-kicked-out-of-schengen-zone Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:18:33 +0200 can-an-eu-member-state-be-kicked-out-of-schengen-zone EES: 8,700 overstayers snared since launch of EU's new Schengen border checks In the first six months of operation of the new EU digital border system, the Entry-Exit System (EES), more than 8,700 travellers were denied entry into Europe's border-free Schengen area because they had stayed beyond their permitted time limit. 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 How does being in EFTA and Schengen benefit people in Switzerland? Switzerland is not a member of the European Union but it does have other agreements in place that give certain benefits to its citizens. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240315/how-does-being-in-efta-and-schengen-benefit-people-in-switzerland Fri, 15 Mar 2024 13:07:22 +0100 how-does-being-in-efta-and-schengen-benefit-people-in-switzerland EXPLAINED: Which Schengen area countries have border controls in place and why? Borders within Europe's Schengen area are meant to be open but several countries have checks in place but are they legal and will they be forced to scrap them? Claudia Delpero explains the history and what's at stake. https://www.thelocal.ch/20220511/explained-which-schengen-area-countries-have-border-controls-in-place-and-why Wed, 11 May 2022 13:30:26 +0200 explained-which-schengen-area-countries-have-border-controls-in-place-and-why This is what ID you need to travel to Switzerland's neighbouring countries Did you know that if you are going from Switzerland to Austria, France, Germany and Italy you still need to take a recognized travel document? The Local's George Mills takes a look at the rules. https://www.thelocal.ch/20190827/this-is-what-id-you-need-to-travel-to-switzerlands-neighbouring-countries Tue, 27 Aug 2019 12:21:34 +0200 this-is-what-id-you-need-to-travel-to-switzerlands-neighbouring-countries What you need to know about Switzerland’s crucial gun control referendum On Sunday, Switzerland is holding a referendum to decide whether the country should tighten its gun laws. Here we answer the key questions about the vote – and look at why the referendum is as much about Swiss relations with the European Union as it is about gun control. https://www.thelocal.ch/20190519/what-you-need-to-know-about-switzerlands-gun-control-referendum Sun, 19 May 2019 13:39:11 +0200 what-you-need-to-know-about-switzerlands-gun-control-referendum The key numbers that tell the story of guns in Switzerland With Switzerland about to vote on tighter gun laws in a referendum on Sunday, we took a look at the figures that shed a light on the country's complicated relationship with guns. https://www.thelocal.ch/20190515/eight-stats-that-help-tell-the-story-of-guns-in-switzerland Wed, 15 May 2019 14:07:09 +0200 eight-stats-that-help-tell-the-story-of-guns-in-switzerland ‘Without Schengen we would be less protected from terror’ Justice minister Simonetta Sommaruga has said Switzerland’s membership of Schengen is vital in the fight against international terrorism and that those who seek to end the Schengen agreement are “irresponsible”. https://www.thelocal.ch/20170324/without-schengen-we-would-be-less-protected-from-terror Fri, 24 Mar 2017 11:09:58 +0100 without-schengen-we-would-be-less-protected-from-terror