The Swiss community around the globe

Around 750,000 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

OSA Congress Mixed messages about future Swiss-EU relations

By Urs Geiser in Visp

This year's Congress of the Swiss Abroad gets an update on the importance of Swiss-EU relations and the difficulties of finding common ground.

Question and answer time Which issues are important to the Swiss abroad?

By Susan Misicka in Visp

We chatted with some who had travelled from Britain, Canada, the United States and South Africa to attend the OSA conference.

Swiss-EU relations Brussels’ man in Bern hints at Swiss protectionism

By Armando Mombelli & Mattia Balsiger

The EU ambassador to Switzerland highlights the benefits for Switzerland of close relations with the EU but warns against anti-EU discrimination.

Profiles

#WeAreSwissAbroad – Ariane Lüthi ‘It’s hard to listen to a Swiss complain’

By Christian Raaflaub und Renat Kuenzi

Mountain biker Ariane Lüthi has lived in South Africa for eight years. As a woman, she says, she has had to fight harder there than in Switzerland.

#WeAreSwissAbroad – Sabrina Maniscalco ‘If you are open to change, everything becomes simpler’

By Christian Raaflaub

Far from Switzerland, 31-year-old photographer Sabrina Maniscalco has discovered that, despite cultural differences "we are all alike".

Podcast The Swiss woman who made a splash in Boston

By Susan Misicka in Basel

Swiss architect Renata von Tscharner has spent the past two decades championing the cause of the Charles River in Massachusetts.

E-voting

Boost for expat Swiss group Opponents of e-voting suffer setback in parliament

Parliament has thrown out attempts to stall the permanent introduction of e-voting – a decision welcomed by the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad.

Council of the Swiss Abroad Expat Swiss push for e-voting despite reluctance at home

By Urs Geiser in Visp

The expat Swiss assembly has given the green light for an online petition calling for the introduction of e-voting by 2021.

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.

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 ...

Congress of the Swiss Abroad, Basel 2017

Swiss Abroad Congress Martha Neidecker-Cabrera, US

By Susan Misicka, Basel

Mexican-Swiss Martha Neidecker-Cabrera really likes the concept of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad.

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 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 Nicolas Szita, England

By Susan Misicka, Basel

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

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 Franz Muheim, Scotland

By Susan Misicka, Basel

Originally from St Gallen, Franz Muheim now lives in Schotland, where he teaches particle physics at the University of Edinburgh. He serves as ...

Forum Are you a Swiss expat? What kind of expo would you like?

By Philipp Meier

In Switzerland, ideas for the next national exhibition are percolating. What role should the Swiss living around the world play? Join the discussion!

See in other languages: 5

#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 ...

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The Swiss community around the globe

News and background

OSA Congress Mixed messages about future Swiss-EU relations

Question and answer time Which issues are important to the Swiss abroad?

Swiss-EU relations Brussels’ man in Bern hints at Swiss protectionism

Profiles

#WeAreSwissAbroad – Ariane Lüthi ‘It’s hard to listen to a Swiss complain’

#WeAreSwissAbroad – Sabrina Maniscalco ‘If you are open to change, everything becomes simpler’

Podcast The Swiss woman who made a splash in Boston

E-voting

Boost for expat Swiss group Opponents of e-voting suffer setback in parliament

Council of the Swiss Abroad Expat Swiss push for e-voting despite reluctance at home

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

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?

Congress of the Swiss Abroad, Basel 2017

Swiss Abroad Congress Martha Neidecker-Cabrera, US

Swiss Abroad Congress Monika Tiffany, US

Swiss Abroad Congress Franz Boos, US

Swiss Abroad Congress Nicolas Szita, England

Swiss Abroad Congress Cecilia Scherrer, Australia

Swiss Abroad Congress Franz Muheim, Scotland

Additional content about the topic

Forum Are you a Swiss expat? What kind of expo would you like?

#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

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