https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Europe in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed This may seem like a strange question, except that it regularly appears on some expat forums. So can the Swiss flag be burned or otherwise destroyed? https://www.thelocal.com/20240416/is-it-legal-to-burn-a-swiss-flag Tue, 16 Apr 2024 16:53:43 +0200 is-it-legal-to-burn-a-swiss-flag Negative attitudes towards foreigners have risen in Switzerland, with new proposals to limit, or even severely restrict, the number of new arrivals. Many foreign residents in Switzerland tell us they are extremely concerned. https://www.thelocal.com/20241015/we-pay-our-taxes-foreigners-in-switzerland-troubled-by-rise-in-hostility Tue, 15 Oct 2024 15:36:05 +0200 we-pay-our-taxes-foreigners-in-switzerland-troubled-by-rise-in-hostility When you are out boating or enjoying other water sports on Swiss lakes, you may not think you need to carry your passport or ID card. But given Switzerland's borders pass through some lakes people have been warned to take ID. https://www.thelocal.com/20241003/why-you-might-need-to-remember-your-passport-when-out-on-a-swiss-lake Thu, 03 Oct 2024 16:54:50 +0200 why-you-might-need-to-remember-your-passport-when-out-on-a-swiss-lake A new list of the most common names parents in Switzerland have given their newborns reveals one interesting fact: there is no Heidi among the top 10. https://www.thelocal.com/20240823/old-new-and-trending-what-were-the-most-popular-baby-names-in-switzerland-in-2023 Fri, 23 Aug 2024 12:52:50 +0200 old-new-and-trending-what-were-the-most-popular-baby-names-in-switzerland-in-2023 In some parts of Switzerland, taking a dip in public fountains has become a much-loved ritual. But is it allowed everywhere? https://www.thelocal.com/20230719/where-is-bathing-in-fountains-allowed-in-switzerland Wed, 19 Jul 2023 11:02:15 +0200 where-is-bathing-in-fountains-allowed-in-switzerland Can residents of Switzerland’s largest city really be happy, considering its higher-than-elsewhere cost of living? https://www.thelocal.com/20240415/the-zurich-paradox-why-is-worlds-most-expensive-city-also-the-best-to-live-in Mon, 15 Apr 2024 14:16:08 +0200 the-zurich-paradox-why-is-worlds-most-expensive-city-also-the-best-to-live-in The National Council has voted to allow certain types of retailers to open on Sunday. Does this mean you will be able to shop on this day everywhere in Switzerland? https://www.thelocal.com/20240313/is-sunday-shopping-about-to-become-reality-in-switzerland Wed, 13 Mar 2024 14:02:52 +0100 is-sunday-shopping-about-to-become-reality-in-switzerland The debate over shops opening on a Sunday in Switzerland has been rumbling on for years. But now the Economy Minister has spoken out in favour of changing the rules. Will it happen? https://www.thelocal.com/20230829/is-switzerland-set-to-allow-shops-to-open-on-sundays Tue, 29 Aug 2023 14:19:48 +0200 is-switzerland-set-to-allow-shops-to-open-on-sundays If you’ve ever lived in Zurich, you might forget how special some of these things are. Here are ten things (some) Zurich residents take for granted. https://www.thelocal.com/20211019/ten-things-people-take-for-granted-when-living-in-zurich Tue, 19 Oct 2021 16:18:03 +0200 ten-things-people-take-for-granted-when-living-in-zurich The Hotel Arbez, which is located both in Switzerland and France, has a colourful history - including playing a lifesaving role against the Nazis in the Second World War. https://www.thelocal.com/20210713/hotel-arbez-inside-the-historic-hotel-straddling-the-swiss-and-french-borders Tue, 13 Jul 2021 14:47:48 +0200 hotel-arbez-inside-the-historic-hotel-straddling-the-swiss-and-french-borders Professional people have an easier path to naturalisation in Switzerland, while experience and country of origin are also important factors. Here's what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.com/20220201/why-swiss-naturalisation-is-easier-for-highly-qualified-people Tue, 01 Feb 2022 13:54:36 +0100 why-swiss-naturalisation-is-easier-for-highly-qualified-people For European Union and EFTA citizens, living and working in Switzerland is much easier. Here's what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.com/20211005/residence-permits-how-eu-and-efta-citizens-can-live-work-and-stay-in-switzerland Tue, 05 Oct 2021 12:14:28 +0200 residence-permits-how-eu-and-efta-citizens-can-live-work-and-stay-in-switzerland Although Switzerland is a small country, its culture is diverse and, at times, surprisingly quirky. Here are five wacky traditions you may have not known about — until now. https://www.thelocal.com/20210729/five-odd-swiss-festivals-holidays-and-celebrations-you-should-know-about Thu, 29 Jul 2021 19:02:56 +0200 five-odd-swiss-festivals-holidays-and-celebrations-you-should-know-about Switzerland will remove Great Britain, India and Nepal from the Covid variant list on Wednesday. https://www.thelocal.com/20210803/breaking-switzerland-to-remove-united-kingdom-india-and-nepal-from-covid-variant-list Tue, 03 Aug 2021 20:26:49 +0200 breaking-switzerland-to-remove-united-kingdom-india-and-nepal-from-covid-variant-list