Switzerland Today
Dear Swiss Abroad,
Certain destinations are the stuff of dreams for Swiss people looking to settle abroad. But in this world, nothing is ever set in stone and dreams can suddenly turn into nightmares, as the case of Dubai shows.
But in Switzerland, too, the situation is no longer as idyllic as it once was, particularly due to a rising climate of aggression.
The conflict in the Middle East is having consequences for Dubai, which is seeing its appeal decline sharply. Many foreigners, who had chosen to settle in the region to benefit from very favourable tax conditions, now wish to leave the city, which is within range of Iranian missiles and drones.
The phenomenon is also affecting Swiss expatriates. According to official statistics, around 5,400 of them live in the United Arab Emirates. The Swiss authorities are unable to determine how many have already left the region. While the exodus does not appear to be massive, it is happening. Newspaper Blick cites the example of Adel Abdel-Latif, a former Mister Switzerland, doctor and entrepreneur, who chose to leave Dubai with his family for Thailand.
Other Swiss expatriates may be tempted to return to Switzerland. But the tax authorities, who never forget a thing, are likely to be waiting. “If the conflict were to drag on, it’s likely that many residents will be tempted to return to Switzerland, at least for a while; that’s when the tax complications begin,” warns Xavier Oberson, a professor of tax law, interviewed by 24heures.
The tax authorities could check whether the Swiss nationals who have returned to Switzerland had actually moved their vital interests to Dubai at the time of their departure. To do so, they sometimes use “intrusive” methods, such as analysing electricity bills or credit card statements. And if it turns out that the move to the Emirates was fictitious, a tax reclassification could result in a ten-year back-tax claim, with hefty fines to boot, Oberson warns.
People fleeing the conflict in the Middle East may be tempted to come to Switzerland, a country that the rest of the world still sees as a haven of peace and security. This view remains largely true, but the latest statistics paint a less rosy picture and show that violence in Switzerland is on the rise.
The Federal Statistical Office announced on Monday that 554,963 offences under the Criminal Code were recorded in Switzerland in 2025, 1.5% fewer than the previous year. Down by 5.3%, theft remains the most common offence, with 154,041 cases. But while the total number of offences has fallen slightly, the same cannot be said for the severity of the crimes.
While other categories are declining, violent offences are still on the rise, with 49,915 cases – an increase of 2% year-on-year. The rise is particularly marked for serious violence, which increased by 8.1%. In total, Switzerland recorded 55 homicides (including 32 deaths of women) last year. This figure is higher than the annual average of 48 since 2009, notes the FSO.
“Domestic violence, violent crimes and the propensity for violence in general are on the rise,” notes Matteo Cocchi, commander of the Ticino police and president of the Conference of Cantonal Police Commanders, in an interview with Watson. “This phenomenon is partly linked to changes in society. People are more on edge, get angry more quickly and react more aggressively,” he explains.
The Swiss do not exactly brim with confidence regarding their army. More than three-quarters of those surveyed doubt that Switzerland is sufficiently prepared militarily to respond to threats, according to a survey carried out at the end of last year by the Sotomo institute on behalf of the thinktank Strategiedialog21.
Specifically, 73% of those surveyed believe that the army is not capable of responding effectively to a conventional military attack. And when it comes to hybrid attacks (such as a conventional attack combined with cyberattacks or disinformation campaigns), the result is even worse: 80% believe the army is not ready.
The survey also shows that the Swiss population wants stronger international cooperation on security matters. There is strong support (72% in favour) for closer ties with neighbouring countries, as well as with the European Union (56%) and NATO (53%). Conversely, respondents want a more pronounced distancing from Russia (72%) and, to a lesser extent, from China (50%) and the United States (46%).
The army can nevertheless find some cause for satisfaction in the survey results. A majority of those surveyed would like to see the army’s budget increased to 2% of GDP by 2030. Furthermore, a majority also believe they do not live in a country under direct threat, but one “that assesses its situation with clarity”.
The sports brand On will be able to display a Swiss cross on its shoes, even if they are not manufactured in Switzerland. According to a report in the Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ), the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property has, under certain conditions, relaxed the rules governing the use of the national symbol.
Until now, a product had to be predominantly manufactured on Swiss soil to be able to display a Swiss cross, the symbol of “made in Switzerland”. Local design or development was not sufficient. The Zurich-based company On, which manufactures its shoes in Asia, was therefore legally unable to stick Swiss crosses on its products, a decision the company contested.
After years of legal proceedings, On has finally won its case in part with the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property. From now on, products designed in Switzerland may bear the cross, even if they are manufactured abroad. But there are conditions: the cross must be of modest size and placed next to the words “Swiss Engineering”.
However, the matter may not yet be settled, as the Federal Institute’s decision is already being challenged. Künzli SwissSchuh has indicated that it is exploring all possible avenues of appeal. Indeed, this decision could harm companies that actually manufacture in Switzerland. This new practice “opens the door for any company with no connection to Switzerland to use the Swiss cross”, notes Künzli.
Translated using AI/ts
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