Swiss Abroad

In 2022, the number of Swiss citizens living abroad passed the 800,000 mark. Roughly 11% of the Swiss population lives abroad. Of the more than 800,000 Swiss abroad registered at the end of 2022, around 64% live in Europe.

The Swiss community around the globe

Switzerland’s declining military equipment sales amid global arms surge

Swiss Army Leopard tanks are transported on a train,

This content was published on Apr 25, 2024 The world is arming itself – so why are military equipment sales in Switzerland falling?

There are new forms of church-based children's and youth work everywhere: here a "crawling service" in the open air in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Fading faith: decline of Sunday schools in Swiss churches

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 Sunday schools for the youth are also feeling the loss of believers. Spiritual programmes for children have moved outside the church.

Swiss Abroad: fog clears on tax reform in Thailand

This content was published on Apr 22, 2024 The tax reform affecting Swiss living in Thailand since January 1 contained a number of grey areas. It is now clear that pensions will be taxed.

‘The Swiss Abroad deserve better representation in parliament,’ says right-wing politician

This content was published on Apr 18, 2024 Should the Swiss Abroad have their own electoral constituency? The House of Representatives doesn’t think so.

Swiss citizen triggers uproar in Thailand

This content was published on Apr 14, 2024 A Swiss man living in Thailand lost his temper for a moment and sparked an unprecedented witch hunt. The Thai authorities have been forced to act.

Swiss innovator breaks sexual taboos in South Africa

This content was published on Apr 7, 2024 Be it on contraception, menstruation or sexually transmitted diseases, the Love Land app provides a new framework for teaching young people about sexual health.

How Swiss-designed wigs make their way from Bali to the big screen

This content was published on Mar 30, 2024 In Bali, Swiss expat Orlando Bassi makes handmade wigs for Hollywood and Broadway – so successfully that he can afford to pay two butlers.

Switzerland Today

This content was published on Apr 26, 2024 Your child is born with a disease for which a treatment exists. The problem is that it costs more than $2 million. What do you do?

Swiss parliamentary committee backs Ukraine aid plan

This content was published on Apr 26, 2024 In addition to helping Ukraine, the funds are envisaged to help ensure security in Switzerland and in broader Europe.

Swiss extend support for Sri Lankan adoptees wishing to trace roots

This content was published on Apr 26, 2024 With around 70 people having already benefited from the programme, it is now being extended through 2025.

A woman speaking into a microphone, in front of several campaign posters.

Love Life: new Swiss campaign launched against sex infections

This content was published on Apr 26, 2024 Part of a new federal programme, the campaign aims to increase awareness and decrease rates of infection.

Protesters photographed outside the large stone building and steps of the Federal Chancellery Office. Two activists are in the foreground, photographed from behind. Once is a white man with brown hair, sunglasses, a white and lilac striped short sleeve shirt and beige chinos, as well as a blue ‘Campax’ vest. The other is a woman with dark hair, a brown rucksack, wearing a black long sleeve top and jeans, and holding a cardboard placard that says “’S’ for all war refugees’.

Swiss government against idea to amend S status

This content was published on Apr 25, 2024 Switzerland’s executive body has requested the rejection of a parliamentary motion calling for changes to the rules around the revocation of S permits.

Switzerland to strengthen security at asylum centres

This content was published on Apr 24, 2024 Proposed measures follow reports of violence at Swiss asylum centres.

Swiss federal police chief steps down

This content was published on Apr 24, 2024 The director of the Federal Office of Police, Nicoletta della Valle, is stepping down.

The submission of signatures for the "Stop compulsory vaccination" initiative to the Federal Council on December 16, 2021

Swiss vote explainer: another Covid-19 initiative?

This content was published on Apr 24, 2024 The Swiss electorate will be called to the polls once again in connection with Covid-19.

Switzerland violates right to protest: Amnesty International

This content was published on Apr 24, 2024 Amnesty International voices criticism of Switzerland in its global report.

Joseph Deiss, an older man with grey hair and glasses, is wearing a dark suit with white shirt and blue tie. He stands giving a speech into a pair of microphones with his hands resting on a wooden podium.

EU membership is only solution to achieve Swiss goals, says former minister

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 Former Swiss government minister Joseph Deiss says future membership of the European Union is the only way for Switzerland to achieve its European goals.

Swiss Federal Court upholds Swisscom appeal in anti-trust case

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 The country’s highest court found that Swisscom did not demonstrate unfair conduct in its 2008 tender of broadband networking for Swiss Post.

Switzerland needs energy, but what kind?

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 Switzerland wants to promote renewable energies via a new electricity law. Voters will decide on this on June 9.

June 9 votes in Switzerland: how can healthcare costs be reined in?

On June 9, Swiss voters will decide on two initiatives aimed at capping the cost of healthcare in the country. Have your say on the issue here.

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Apr 19, 2024

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Swiss federal votes on June 9: what’s on the agenda?

Two initiatives aimed at stemming healthcare costs will take centre stage when voters go to the polls on June 9.

Campaigners submit 57,000 signatures for referendum on health financing reform

This content was published on Apr 18, 2024 Swiss voters are now likely to have the last word on a reforms to the system of healthcare financing.

Around 300 right-wing extremists celebrating a belated National Day on the Rütli.

‘Dialogue’: are you concerned about increasing violence and radicalisation among young people in Switzerland?

This content was published on Apr 18, 2024 Radicalisation of young people in Switzerland is increasing. Read up on the topic and join the discussion on dialogue!

Did you emigrate after retiring because you couldn’t make ends meet at home?

Each year, a certain amount of Swiss move abroad to avoid financial hardship. Are you one of them?

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Jan 11, 2024

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External Content

Each day, SWI swissinfo.ch selects and presents content from our European public service media partners as part of a project of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

People walk in the street in the Bairro Alto, or High Quarter, neighborhood in Lisbon as the sun sets

The number of Swiss around the world grew by 1.7% in 2023

This content was published on Mar 28, 2024 A total of 813,400 Swiss nationals were registered abroad at the end of 2023, almost two-thirds of whom lived in Europe

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Five avenue Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA (KEYSTONE/VWPICS/Sergi Reboredo)

From Aargau to New York: the story of the Guggenheim family

This content was published on Mar 25, 2024 The success story of the Guggenheims, a family of American industrialists, began from humble beginnings in a village in northwest Switzerland.

Child pensions set to be abolished – in Switzerland and abroad

This content was published on Mar 16, 2024 The Swiss House of Representatives is in favour of abolishing child pensions. This also affects retired Swiss Abroad.

Welfare for Swiss expats: fewer but increasingly complex cases

This content was published on Mar 15, 2024 An in-depth look at the financial aid that Switzerland sends to its citizens who live abroad.

Relief after anger: how the Swiss Abroad view the pension vote

This content was published on Mar 5, 2024 What Swiss citizens abroad think about the result of pension vote and what they want to spend the extra money on.

The Swiss voted on March 3 on two important pension issues.

Swiss Abroad gave strong support to ‘13th month’ pension rise

This content was published on Mar 4, 2024 In Sunday’s two pension votes, Swiss citizens living abroad generally voted in a similar fashion to voters back home.

Is e-voting making any progress in Switzerland?

This content was published on Feb 28, 2024 Four cantons are currently taking part in e-voting trials. The costs are high and the prospects are unclear.

What you need to know about the Swiss spring parliamentary session

This content was published on Feb 27, 2024 These are the items of business for the 2024 spring session with a focus on the Swiss Abroad.

The Swiss man risking his life as a mercenary in the Ukraine war

This content was published on Feb 23, 2024 When Russia attacked Ukraine, aspiring teacher Jona Neidhart travelled to fight for the people of Ukraine.

Lake Geneva has never been so warm

This content was published on Feb 20, 2024 The steadily rising temperature of Lake Geneva is threatening the lake’s biodiversity.

Edelweiss Village becomes a Swiss monument in Canada

This content was published on Feb 16, 2024 The fate of six historic Swiss chalets in Canada was uncertain. Now the former home of the legendary mountain guides has been saved.

‘Swiss pensioners who live abroad in luxury are an exception’

This content was published on Feb 13, 2024 The payment of pensions abroad is the subject of debate in Switzerland. Four retired Swiss Abroad tell their stories.

Potatoes tumble out of a machine into a box

Potato seedlings are becoming a scarce commodity in Switzerland

This content was published on Feb 7, 2024 Fewer farmers are producing potato seedlings. Production is not easy and results in more potato seedlings having to be imported.

Do Swiss pensioners living abroad ‘milk’ the system?

This content was published on Feb 5, 2024 The debate over pension payments is heating up in Switzerland ahead of the March 3 nationwide votes, and the Swiss Abroad are in the firing line.

young man with backpack in front of military school

When Swiss Abroad come back for army training

This content was published on Jan 19, 2024 Of the 12,000 recruits who began training in Switzerland this week, 48 of them came from abroad.

somebody s dark back and a computer screen

‘Electronic identity will make life easier for Swiss Abroad’

This content was published on Jan 18, 2024 The Swiss government wants to introduce a free, voluntary digital identity document. Our two guests on the SWI swissinfo.ch Let’s Talk webcast discuss the topic.

Swiss public transport rarely end up in the scrapyard. So where do they go?

This content was published on Jan 17, 2024 No longer in operation n Switzerland, but rolling on abroad: How Switzerland is providing development aid with trams, buses and trains.

Controlled fentanyl use: what San Francisco can learn from Zurich

This content was published on Jan 17, 2024 San Francisco is in the grip of an opioid crisis. Could the city allow users to inject drugs in a controlled environment, as Zurich did in the past?

Swiss Abroad

The Swiss community around the globe

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Switzerland’s declining military equipment sales amid global arms surge

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Fading faith: decline of Sunday schools in Swiss churches

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Swiss Abroad: fog clears on tax reform in Thailand

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‘The Swiss Abroad deserve better representation in parliament,’ says right-wing politician

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Swiss citizen triggers uproar in Thailand

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Swiss innovator breaks sexual taboos in South Africa

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How Swiss-designed wigs make their way from Bali to the big screen

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Switzerland Today

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Swiss parliamentary committee backs Ukraine aid plan

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Swiss extend support for Sri Lankan adoptees wishing to trace roots

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Love Life: new Swiss campaign launched against sex infections

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Swiss government against idea to amend S status

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Switzerland to strengthen security at asylum centres

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Swiss federal police chief steps down

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Swiss vote explainer: another Covid-19 initiative?

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Switzerland violates right to protest: Amnesty International

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EU membership is only solution to achieve Swiss goals, says former minister

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Swiss Federal Court upholds Swisscom appeal in anti-trust case

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Switzerland needs energy, but what kind?

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June 9 votes in Switzerland: how can healthcare costs be reined in?

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Swiss federal votes on June 9: what’s on the agenda?

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Campaigners submit 57,000 signatures for referendum on health financing reform

More

‘Dialogue’: are you concerned about increasing violence and radicalisation among young people in Switzerland?

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Did you emigrate after retiring because you couldn’t make ends meet at home?

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The number of Swiss around the world grew by 1.7% in 2023

More

From Aargau to New York: the story of the Guggenheim family

More

Child pensions set to be abolished – in Switzerland and abroad

More

Welfare for Swiss expats: fewer but increasingly complex cases

More

Relief after anger: how the Swiss Abroad view the pension vote

More

Swiss Abroad gave strong support to ‘13th month’ pension rise

More

Is e-voting making any progress in Switzerland?

More

What you need to know about the Swiss spring parliamentary session

More

The Swiss man risking his life as a mercenary in the Ukraine war

More

Lake Geneva has never been so warm

More

Edelweiss Village becomes a Swiss monument in Canada

More

‘Swiss pensioners who live abroad in luxury are an exception’

More

Potato seedlings are becoming a scarce commodity in Switzerland

More

Do Swiss pensioners living abroad ‘milk’ the system?