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 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 European affairs ministers gave the go ahead this week to new rules that will make it easier to suspend the right to visa-free travel for non-EU countries under certain circumstances. https://www.thelocal.ch/20251118/eu-ministers-agree-new-rules-around-suspending-visa-free-travel Tue, 18 Nov 2025 07:49:21 +0100 eu-ministers-agree-new-rules-around-suspending-visa-free-travel 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 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 The European Commission is preparing a new visa strategy to attract "top talent from abroad that is needed to fill skills and labour shortages in the EU and drive research and innovation." https://www.thelocal.ch/20250902/europe-to-draw-up-new-visa-strategy-to-bring-in-skilled-non-eu-workers Tue, 02 Sep 2025 19:38:34 +0200 europe-to-draw-up-new-visa-strategy-to-bring-in-skilled-non-eu-workers Certain non-EU nationals, including Indian citizens, can benefit from a new type of Schengen visa, which rewards travellers with an established travel history, and allows multiple entries to the EU/Schengen area over a long period of time. https://www.thelocal.ch/20250729/cascade-scheme-who-can-benefit-from-longer-term-schengen-visas Tue, 29 Jul 2025 12:34:17 +0200 cascade-scheme-who-can-benefit-from-longer-term-schengen-visas With the world of work rapidly changing, digital nomad visas are now in high demand as a way to experience life in another country while continuing to work remotely. Here are the European countries that you can obtain one for, and what’s involved. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240410/which-european-countries-offer-a-digital-nomad-visa Wed, 10 Apr 2024 19:25:15 +0200 which-european-countries-offer-a-digital-nomad-visa A US citizen has been ordered to leave Switzerland and barred from returning before a certain date after overstaying his visa. https://www.thelocal.ch/20250217/american-barred-from-returning-to-switzerland-after-overstaying-visa Mon, 17 Feb 2025 16:25:13 +0100 american-barred-from-returning-to-switzerland-after-overstaying-visa Switzerland has its own ‘working holiday visa’ scheme for younger people, although there are some important differences you should know about. Here’s what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.ch/20220707/explained-how-to-get-a-working-holiday-visa-in-switzerland Thu, 07 Jul 2022 14:38:14 +0200 explained-how-to-get-a-working-holiday-visa-in-switzerland There are some big changes due to come into effect in 2025 which will affect travel in and out of the European Union for non-EU citizens such as Brits, Americans, Australians and Canadians. Here's how EES and ETIAS will affect you. https://www.thelocal.ch/20211110/passport-scans-and-e7-fee-what-will-change-for-eu-travel-in-2022 Wed, 10 Nov 2021 12:29:17 +0100 passport-scans-and-e7-fee-what-will-change-for-eu-travel-in-2022 The fee for getting a Schengen visa will rise by 12 percent in June, the European Commission has confirmed. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240604/cost-for-getting-a-short-stay-schengen-visa-to-rise-on-june-11th Tue, 04 Jun 2024 16:52:28 +0200 cost-for-getting-a-short-stay-schengen-visa-to-rise-on-june-11th While tourists from many countries can enter Switzerland with just their passports, others need to have financial proof that they will be able to support themselves while in the country. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240530/how-much-money-do-you-need-to-enter-switzerland-on-a-tourist-visa Thu, 30 May 2024 19:27:16 +0200 how-much-money-do-you-need-to-enter-switzerland-on-a-tourist-visa The fee for obtaining a Schengen visa looks set to rise by 12 percent if the European Commission has its way. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240206/eu-set-to-hike-cost-for-getting-a-schengen-visa Tue, 06 Feb 2024 11:46:58 +0100 eu-set-to-hike-cost-for-getting-a-schengen-visa It's human nature to look for a loophole, shortcut or workaround to the rules, but most of the advertised 'dodges' to the EU's 90-day rule are nothing of the sort. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230531/mythbuster-can-you-really-cheat-the-eus-90-day-rule Wed, 31 May 2023 14:48:44 +0200 mythbuster-can-you-really-cheat-the-eus-90-day-rule The EU has plans to introduce an authorisation system for non-EU holidaymakers - including Americans when entering the EU and Schengen zone. Here's how it will work for people travelling to Switzerland in future. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230727/will-american-tourists-need-to-pay-for-a-visa-to-visit-switzerland Thu, 27 Jul 2023 12:51:09 +0200 will-american-tourists-need-to-pay-for-a-visa-to-visit-switzerland Non-EU nationals who need a Schengen visa to travel to European countries will soon be able to apply online, after EU council and the European Parliament announced an agreement on Tuesday.  https://www.thelocal.ch/20220510/latest-eu-agrees-to-launch-digital-only-schengen-visa-application-process Tue, 10 May 2022 17:37:34 +0200 latest-eu-agrees-to-launch-digital-only-schengen-visa-application-process Many Non-EU nationals, including Britons since Brexit, need to make sure they don't go over the 90-day rule in the EU/Schengen area. But how many people are turned away at European borders because they overstayed? https://www.thelocal.ch/20230521/how-many-travellers-are-turned-away-at-european-borders-because-of-90-day-limit Sun, 21 May 2023 14:19:07 +0200 how-many-travellers-are-turned-away-at-european-borders-because-of-90-day-limit The EU/Schengen area's '90-day' rule is a complicated one that causes much confusion for travellers - here we answer some of the most common questions from readers of The Local. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230518/your-key-questions-answered-about-the-schengen-areas-90-day-rule Thu, 18 May 2023 13:19:22 +0200 your-key-questions-answered-about-the-schengen-areas-90-day-rule The EU has postponed the start date of its €7 ETIAS visa waiver for tourists - due to come into effect later this year - until 2024. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230228/etias-eu-postpones-launch-of-e7-visa-for-tourists Tue, 28 Feb 2023 10:08:27 +0100 etias-eu-postpones-launch-of-e7-visa-for-tourists Switzerland on Friday suspended a simplified visa regime with Russia, aligning itself with the European Union which has taken a similar step in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.  https://www.thelocal.ch/20220916/switzerland-suspends-eased-visa-scheme-for-russians Fri, 16 Sep 2022 19:19:20 +0200 switzerland-suspends-eased-visa-scheme-for-russians