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.

News and background

Cost-cutting Consulates in LA and Karachi to close

Two Swiss consulates general in the United States and in Pakistan are to close by the end of this year. On a recommendation by the foreign ...

Speaking languages Should English be used when the Swiss Abroad meet?

By Urs Geiser

The Swiss Abroad Council held another passionate debate about the use of English at official meetings. Traditionalists once again had the upper hand.

Swiss Abroad Council Expats between bank accounts and welfare benefits

By Urs Geiser

The Council of the Swiss Abroad has called on parliament to reject a proposal limiting welfare benefits to residence status in Switzerland.

Profiles

#WeAreSwissAbroad Maurine Mercier: ‘Journalism is a link between cultures’

By Rashid Khechana in Tunis

Swiss journalist and former war reporter Maurine Mercier wants to give Muslims a voice.

#WeAreSwissAbroad Thomas Amsler: Loves lobster, misses Bratwurst

By Susan Misicka

After living in coastal Massachusetts for over 50 years, Swiss architect Thomas Amsler says he loves New England, but misses Swiss sausages.

#WeAreSwissAbroad Janina Kauz: ‘In London, the world is on my doorstep’

By Christian Raaflaub

Janina Kauz, a 23-year-old Swiss expat, could hardly have chosen a better location for her studies in intercultural communication than London.

Young Swiss abroad

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

By 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?

By 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

Vote analysis Swiss expats buck the pension reform trend

By Samuel Jaberg

Unlike their compatriots in Switzerland, Swiss voters who live abroad came out massively in favour of a wide-ranging pension reform.

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

By 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.

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

Schools abroad Swiss school in China celebrates opening

The Swiss School in Beijing – the first of its kind in China - has celebrated its official opening.

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

By Isobel Leybold-Johnson

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

Congress of the Swiss Abroad, Basel 2017

Swiss Abroad Congress Franz Boos, US

By Susan Misicka, Basel

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

Swiss Abroad Congress Cecilia Scherrer, Australia

By 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

By 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

By 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

By 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

By Susan Misicka, Basel

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

#WeAreSwissAbroad Dear Swiss living abroad…

By Philipp Meier

We’re on Instagram! Please share your pictures using the hashtag #WeAreSwissAbroad.

See in other languages: 5

Making the move What Swiss abroad must consider before heading home

By Veronica DeVore

Some 24,000 Swiss living abroad move home every year. Are there enough resources available to help them make the transition?

See in other languages: 6

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

By 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

By 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 ...

Navigation

Skiplink Navigation

Main Features

Search function

The Swiss community around the globe

News and background

Cost-cutting Consulates in LA and Karachi to close

Speaking languages Should English be used when the Swiss Abroad meet?

Swiss Abroad Council Expats between bank accounts and welfare benefits

Profiles

#WeAreSwissAbroad Maurine Mercier: ‘Journalism is a link between cultures’

#WeAreSwissAbroad Thomas Amsler: Loves lobster, misses Bratwurst

#WeAreSwissAbroad Janina Kauz: ‘In London, the world is on my doorstep’

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

Vote analysis Swiss expats buck the pension reform trend

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

Tax issues

Controversial deal French inheritance tax convention rejected

Swiss schools abroad

Schools abroad Swiss school in China celebrates opening

Difficulties Swiss school in Milan causes media uproar

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

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

Additional content about the topic

#WeAreSwissAbroad Dear Swiss living abroad…

Making the move What Swiss abroad must consider before heading home

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

Escaping the golden cage

Totally Swiss

Links

Function	Example	Search result
Search for exact term	"money-laundering", "Roger Federer"	Results include exact spellings of "money-laundering" and "Roger Federer"
Search for all terms	Roger Federer	Results include "Roger" and "Federer"
Either-or search	money-laundering	Results include "money" or "laundering"
Search for one term and not the other	money -laundering	Results include "money" but NOT "laundering"
Search for word stem	sun*	Results include words with the same base like "sun", "suns", "sunshine", "sunny"
Search with placeholder for letter	wom*n	Results include all possible words: "woman", "women"