The Swiss community around the globe

Around 775,000 Swiss citizens live outside the country's borders, making up about 10% of the total population. Most expats reside in neighbouring European countries. There is also a considerable Swiss abroad community in North America.

Registered expatriates have had the right to take part in votes and elections since 1992. The introduction of e-voting and concerns about the network of embassies and consulates are among the key concerns of the Swiss Abroad.

Congress of the Swiss Abroad, Basel 2017

Swiss Abroad Congress Franz Boos, US

Susan Misicka, Basel

Besides e-voting and pension reform, Swiss expatriate Franz Boos is concerned about banking services.

Swiss Abroad Congress Cecilia Scherrer, Australia

Susan Misicka, Basel

For Basel native Cecilia Scherrer, it's important to bring a touch of Swissness to Australia.

Swiss Abroad Congress Max Haechler, US

Susan Misicka, Basel

Longtime OSA council member Max Haechler is worried about how the next generation can participate.

Portraits of the Swiss Abroad We are Swiss abroad

Thomas Kern, swissinfo

Swiss living abroad combine a great love for their homeland with an honest view of recent developments in Switzerland.

Swiss Abroad Congress Monika Tiffany, US

Susan Misicka, Basel

First-time congress attendee Monika Tiffany feels Swiss banks should make banking less of a hassle for Swiss citizens living abroad.

Swiss Abroad Congress Nicolas Szita, England

Susan Misicka, Basel

London-based Nicolas Szita thinks Swiss living abroad should be more bold regarding certain issues.

News and background

Democracy Labs When you cast your vote far from home

Michele Andina

Why do the Swiss abroad vote differently from the Swiss at home? An expert takes a closer look at the political profile of the Swiss diaspora.

Financial services Swiss abroad pressure banks at home

Peter Siegenthaler

The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) is putting political pressure on Swiss banks for their treatment of Swiss clients living abroad.

Talking business Swiss expats in fighting spirit over banking service

Urs Geiser

Swiss expatriates are turning up the heat on Swiss institutions to grant discrimination-free access to financial services.

Profiles

#WeAreSwissAbroad Jacqueline Tschumi: "Not much flexibility in daily work life"

Hideka Setta

She left for Japan on a diplomatic internship. Five years later, the 32-year-old is staying put but misses Swiss efficiency and access to outdoors.

#WeAreSwissAbroad Lukas Habersaat: an award-winning business model in Bangkok

Anton Lehmann

Lukas Habersaat, has run award-winning businesses in Bangkok for 20 years. There as a long-term resident with his life partner, he wants to stay.

#WEARESWISSABROAD A digital nomad in Manila

Christian Raaflaub

He can do his job from anywhere in the world. Twenty-seven-year-old Manuel Schuster from Thun followed his love to the Philippines.

Young Swiss abroad

100 Years of Young Swiss Abroad "So that every child can get to know their roots"

Christian Raaflaub, Hergiswil LU

For a century, the Foundation for Young Swiss Abroad has enabled children with Swiss roots to spend holidays in Switzerland.

Opinion Should Switzerland have a parliament for young people?

Jonas Hirschi

Moves are afoot to create a new national youth parliament in Switzerland. The time has come to empower young people in politics, argues Jonas ...

E-voting

Council of the Swiss Abroad E-voting pilot project seen as a big success

Christian Raaflaub, Bern and Geneva

For the first time ever, Swiss expatriates could cast their votes online in the elections for their assembly, the Swiss Abroad Council.

Citizens' rights Swiss Post launches demo version for e-voting

Christian Raaflaub

Swiss citizens of some cantons who live abroad now have a choice of two systems with which to vote online in votes in their home country.

Tax issues

Controversial deal French inheritance tax convention rejected

The House of Representatives has refused to ratify an agreement on inheritance tax between Switzerland and France, with many parliamentarians ...

Swiss schools abroad

Difficulties Swiss school in Milan causes media uproar

The Swiss school in Milan has been asked to amend its statutes following an outcry over its recommendations against pupils with learning difficulties.

Global education How Swiss schools abroad stand out in a competitive market

Isobel Leybold-Johnson

Switzerland has a network of 18 schools abroad, all over the world, but not evenly distributed.

Schools abroad New Swiss school to open in Beijing

Isobel Leybold-Johnson

The Swiss School in Beijing, opening next month, will be the first of its kind in China.

#WeAreSwissAbroad Dear Swiss living abroad…

Philipp Meier

We’ve set up an Instagram account for you! Please share your pictures using the hashtag #WeAreSwissAbroad. People love to hear about emigrants, ...

See in other languages: 5

Emigration Where do the Swiss go, when they live abroad?

Kai Reusser and Luigi Jorio

More than one in ten Swiss lives abroad. This graphic illustrates that the Swiss don’t like to stray too far from home.

See in other languages: 7

Special reports

Escaping the golden cage

Portraits of Swiss living abroad

Totally Swiss

Christoph Balsiger

A visit to the Swiss Country Club in Johannesburg. The Swiss Society Helvetia Johannesburg was founded in 1890. A new clubhouse was built in ...

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Swiss expats in fighting spirit over banking service

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Main Features

The Swiss community around the globe

Congress of the Swiss Abroad, Basel 2017

Swiss Abroad Congress Franz Boos, US

Swiss Abroad Congress Cecilia Scherrer, Australia

Swiss Abroad Congress Max Haechler, US

Portraits of the Swiss Abroad We are Swiss abroad

Swiss Abroad Congress Monika Tiffany, US

Swiss Abroad Congress Nicolas Szita, England

News and background

Democracy Labs When you cast your vote far from home

Financial services Swiss abroad pressure banks at home

Talking business Swiss expats in fighting spirit over banking service

Profiles

#WeAreSwissAbroad Jacqueline Tschumi: "Not much flexibility in daily work life"

#WeAreSwissAbroad Lukas Habersaat: an award-winning business model in Bangkok

#WEARESWISSABROAD A digital nomad in Manila

Young Swiss abroad

100 Years of Young Swiss Abroad "So that every child can get to know their roots"

Opinion Should Switzerland have a parliament for young people?

E-voting

Council of the Swiss Abroad E-voting pilot project seen as a big success

Citizens' rights Swiss Post launches demo version for e-voting

Tax issues

Controversial deal French inheritance tax convention rejected

Swiss schools abroad

Difficulties Swiss school in Milan causes media uproar

Global education How Swiss schools abroad stand out in a competitive market

Schools abroad New Swiss school to open in Beijing

Additional content about the topic

#WeAreSwissAbroad Dear Swiss living abroad…

Emigration Where do the Swiss go, when they live abroad?

Escaping the golden cage

Totally Swiss

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