Over 835,000 Swiss nationals live abroad. That’s around 11% of people who hold a Swiss passport. And the number is growing. In terms of population, if the Swiss Abroad made up a canton, it would be the fourth-largest canton in Switzerland.
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September 27 votes: Swiss Abroad less dismissive of food security initiative
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On the issue of neutrality, Swiss citizens living abroad voted in a remarkably similar way to the rest of the country. The food security initiative, meanwhile, received slightly more support from expats.
September 27 votes: Swiss Abroad less dismissive of food security initiative
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On the issue of neutrality, Swiss citizens living abroad voted in a remarkably similar way to the rest of the country. The food security initiative, meanwhile, received slightly more support from expats.
Are the Swiss Abroad a drain or a gain for Switzerland?
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The value of the Swiss diaspora to Switzerland is a regular topic of debate. But its supporters have no shortage of arguments to counter the criticism.
Twenty-five years after 9/11: ‘I’ve never spoken about it until now’
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On the morning of September 11, 2001, Swiss citizen Beat Reinhart was working directly opposite the Twin Towers. He witnessed the attacks first-hand. A testimony.
From grey skies to heatwaves: climate drives Swiss abroad
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Swiss people have long moved abroad to escape grey winters. Now, increasingly severe heatwaves are giving some a new reason to leave.
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Robert Thayer from Texas lived most of his life thinking he knew who his relatives were, until his DNA test results placed him on another family tree. His curiosity led him to the hills of canton Bern.
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Efforts are afoot to make it easier for Swiss schools abroad to find and recruit Swiss-trained staff. A parliamentary initiative proposes standardising employment conditions, to make working abroad more attractive for Swiss teachers.
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Swiss citizens living abroad could be excluded from the new 13th state pension payment under a proposal from the right-wing Swiss People’s Party.
September 27 votes: Swiss Abroad less dismissive of food security initiative
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On the issue of neutrality, Swiss citizens living abroad voted in a remarkably similar way to the rest of the country. The food security initiative, meanwhile, received slightly more support from expats.
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Despite having a job, around 360,000 people in Switzerland struggle to make ends meet. The NGO Caritas warns that the extent of working poverty is being underestimated and is being worsened by rising living costs.
Zurich voters back stricter skyscraper regulations
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Voters in Zurich have backed stricter regulations for high-rise buildings and a reduction in the areas designated for tower developments.
Canton Graubünden rejects lowering voting age to 16
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Voters in canton Graubünden in southeastern Switzerland on Sunday rejected a proposal to lower the voting age to 16. Overall, 67% of residents were against the idea.
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From Swiss neutrality to food security, voters are set to decide on two popular initiatives. The outcome will be known on Sunday.
Swiss government wants to step up fight against excessive rents
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The Swiss government says it rejects the rent control initiative. However, by means of an indirect counter-proposal, it intends to lay down clear and transparent laws to protect against unfair rent increases.
Parliament seeks limit on Switzerland’s wolf population
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Parliament wants to set an upper limit on the wolf population. If this threshold is exceeded, it should be permitted to cull wolves in the affected region. Following the Council of States, the National Council also passed a motion to this effect on Wednesday.
September 27 votes: Swiss Abroad less dismissive of food security initiative
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On the issue of neutrality, Swiss citizens living abroad voted in a remarkably similar way to the rest of the country. The food security initiative, meanwhile, received slightly more support from expats.
Canton Graubünden rejects lowering voting age to 16
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Voters in canton Graubünden in southeastern Switzerland on Sunday rejected a proposal to lower the voting age to 16. Overall, 67% of residents were against the idea.
Switzerland rejects the neutrality initiative: reactions from both sides
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On Sunday, Swissinfo journalists visited both sides of the campaign on the initiative to enshrine a strict definition of neutrality in the constitution.
‘Russia’s attempt to exert influence did not go down well’
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Urs Bieri from the gfs.bern research group explains what can – and cannot – be gleaned from the September 27 Swiss votes.
Six takeaways from the rejection of the neutrality initiative
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The bid to enshrine a stricter form of neutrality in the constitution failed due to doubts about the motives of those behind the proposal.
Swiss democracy in the crosshairs of Russian propaganda
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The vote on the neutrality initiative saw open interference by Russia – as well as covert operations, Swiss authorities say.
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From Swiss neutrality to food security, voters are set to decide on two popular initiatives. The outcome will be known on Sunday.
September 27 vote: Swiss neutrality initiative could face heavy defeat
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An initiative to anchor a strict interpretation of Swiss neutrality in the Constitution is heading for defeat, according to a nationwide poll.
Austria, Costa Rica and Malta: neutral but unlike Switzerland
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Apart from Switzerland, several countries – from Austria to Costa Rica via Malta – describe themselves as neutral. But their models differ significantly.
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Anyone born abroad who fails to take the necessary steps in time may lose their Swiss citizenship. Here’s what you need to know.
Emigrating with family: what to do if a child doesn’t want to move
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New surroundings, new school, new friends – emigration can be a daunting prospect for children. Two experts share their tips.
Voting from abroad: How to register for Swiss elections
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Switzerland grants voting rights to its citizens living abroad. If you want to exercise your voting rights, you must first get on the electoral register.
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Moving abroad is an exciting but often challenging experience. Many emigrants experience different phases between culture shock and assimilation.
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The initiative to cap the Swiss population at 10 million is not just about how much growth a country can absorb – it also raises the question of who gets to count as being fully part.
Tax information when emigrating from Switzerland: what you need to know
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Tax liability in Switzerland does not always end at the country’s border – here’s what you should bear in mind when moving abroad.
Swiss honorary consul in Hawaii: ‘Helping others is deeply rewarding’
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Theres Ryf Desai is the first point of contact in Hawaii for Swiss citizens with problems – or interesting projects. What exactly does she do?
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Fondue is a national symbol that brings the Swiss together, but it can also divide them as soon as one delves into the messy details.
Are the Swiss Abroad a drain or a gain for Switzerland?
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The value of the Swiss diaspora to Switzerland is a regular topic of debate. But its supporters have no shortage of arguments to counter the criticism.
Twenty-five years after 9/11: ‘I’ve never spoken about it until now’
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On the morning of September 11, 2001, Swiss citizen Beat Reinhart was working directly opposite the Twin Towers. He witnessed the attacks first-hand. A testimony.
From grey skies to heatwaves: climate drives Swiss abroad
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Swiss people have long moved abroad to escape grey winters. Now, increasingly severe heatwaves are giving some a new reason to leave.
This content was published on
Robert Thayer from Texas lived most of his life thinking he knew who his relatives were, until his DNA test results placed him on another family tree. His curiosity led him to the hills of canton Bern.
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Efforts are afoot to make it easier for Swiss schools abroad to find and recruit Swiss-trained staff. A parliamentary initiative proposes standardising employment conditions, to make working abroad more attractive for Swiss teachers.
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Swiss citizens living abroad could be excluded from the new 13th state pension payment under a proposal from the right-wing Swiss People’s Party.
Expats struggle to explain Swiss neutrality abroad
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Switzerland’s neutrality is not always easy to explain, especially abroad. Many Swiss expats have to grapple with preconceived notions.
Did you acquire Swiss citizenship while living abroad? What challenges did you face – and what does the red passport mean to you?
Were you born abroad and did you acquire Swiss citizenship through your parents? Was the process of obtaining a Swiss passport straightforward – or did you face any challenges along the way?
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Anyone born abroad who fails to take the necessary steps in time may lose their Swiss citizenship. Here’s what you need to know.
In water-loving Switzerland, about 50 people drown every year
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Summer activities on Switzerland’s lakes and rivers are hugely popular, but their dangers are sometimes underestimated. Every year, about 50 drownings are recorded.
From Lucerne to La Catedral glory: the global rise of a Swiss wrestling icon
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Claudio Castagnoli built a global career in a sport that barely registers in Switzerland. He tells Swissinfo how a trip to Mexico sparked his passion for the ring.
The Swiss woman who brought river swimming to Boston
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Renata von Tscharner brought river swimming from Bern to the United States. Over 25 years ago she founded the Charles River Conservancy and campaigned to make the Charles River accessible again.
Owning her own shop in the US was a dream come true until Trump’s tariffs came along
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Jacqueline Judd owns and runs a shop selling Swiss products in New Glarus, Wisconsin. US President Donald Trump’s tariffs have taken a toll on her inventory.
The Alphorn Festival: where Swiss tradition brings people together
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In Nendaz, canton Valais, a traditional festival attracts thousands of visitors every year, including from the Swiss Abroad.
Swiss president emphasises enduring values in annual address to the Swiss Abroad
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In his address to Swiss citizens living abroad on Swiss National Day president Guy Parmelin states that the values and trust that sustain the Swiss in times of crisis unite them across borders.
Inside the Society of Saint Pius X’s latest traditionalist revolt
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The Society of Saint Pius X recently reignited a long-running dispute with the Vatican by illicitly consecrating several bishops in Switzerland.
How Swiss schools abroad teach democracy in autocratic countries
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The 17 Swiss schools abroad strive to instil Swiss democratic values in their pupils. This can be a delicate challenge in some countries.
Thailand tightens visa policy, much to the dismay of Swiss seasonal retirees
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Thailand, a favourite destination for Swiss pensioners seeking to escape the Swiss winter, is tightening its visa exemption rules, causing uncertainty and additional administrative procedures.
Did you leave Switzerland for warmer climes and now regretting your decision?
Every year, many Swiss leave their homeland in the quest for warmer weather. But temperatures are rising everywhere prompting expats to rethink their plans.
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Many Swiss nationals abroad believe that, in an emergency, they will be picked up by the Swiss Air-Rescue (Rega). But the reality is more complicated.
Why is neutral and peaceful Switzerland a nation with a strong shooting tradition?
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Die Schweiz blickt auf eine jahrhundertealte Schützentradition zurück, die auch von Auslandschweizerinnen und Auslandschweizern gepflegt wird.
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The 2026 Federal Shooting Festival in Chur also united Swiss living abroad, for whom shooting is more than a sport – it’s a way to stay connected to their homeland.
World Cup 2026: Vancouver match a ‘jackpot’ for Switzerland
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Swiss consul Thomas Schneider calls the Canada clash in Vancouver a stroke of luck, as months of preparations fuel hopes for more Swiss matches on the west coast.
World Cup 2026: with a cowbell and Swiss flag in LA’s Koreatown
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As World Cup fever builds in Los Angeles, Swiss expat Micky Hohl finds himself at the heart of the action – experiencing the global spectacle up close in his adopted home nearly 40 years after leaving Switzerland.
Swiss Abroad overwhelmingly reject capping Swiss population
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Swiss voters who live abroad have rejected an initiative to limit the population even more decisively than voters within Switzerland. However, when it came to the reform of civilian service, there was little difference.
World Cup 2026: born in California, cheering for Switzerland
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Swissinfo talked to three young Swiss brothers living in San Francisco as they prepare to watch their first World Cup match – Switzerland v Qatar.
UK pioneers new model for Swiss representation abroad
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The dissolution of the Federation of Swiss Societies in the UK (FOSSUK) marks the beginning of a new chapter for Swiss citizens in Britain.
How a Swiss entrepreneur built a London music business
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Growing up in rural Switzerland, Marcel Hunziker never imagined a life abroad. Today, the Swiss expat runs a London music marketing firm – and is living a dream he once scarcely dared imagine.
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The rejection of the neutrality initiative remains the focus of media attention in Switzerland, but the result is also attracting interest in the foreign press.
