Over 820,000 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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Trump policies amplify banking headaches of Swiss Abroad
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PostFinance is closing accounts held by Swiss citizens in Cuba – an example of the banking headaches facing Swiss living abroad. The US president is also a factor.
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The number of Swiss people living abroad continues to increase. Five charts explain their characteristics and geographic distribution.
What the Swiss living in the US think of abortion restrictions
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Nearly 100 Swiss nationals living in the United States gave us their views on the tightening of abortion rights in several states.
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Here in Switzerland, where the economics minister is also a winemaker, the Federal Office for Agriculture says it is “concerned” about the decline in wine consumption. It blames the changing habits of the younger generation.
Swiss engineer in Antarctica prepares for tough winter months
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Operations engineer Thomas Schenk ensures the Neumayer III polar station makes it through winter. The challenges are enormous.
Swiss-born artiste Neda Cainero carves her own path abroad
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Singer, actor and acrobat Neda Cainero is forging a creative path outside Switzerland – free from the reputation of being the daughter of well-known artist parents.
Swiss marine scientist dives into paradise in the Seychelles
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Swiss marine scientist Henriette Grimmel lives on a remote island in the Seychelles. She spends her days studying life in the ocean.
How a Swiss musician is lending a hand to people in Ukraine
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Originally travelling to Ukraine because of the Maidan protests, Bänz Margot has been setting up an aid organisation there since the beginning of the Russian invasion.
Swiss distiller creates world’s best vodka in Cape Verde
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From Appenzell to an island in the Atlantic: how José Steiner shifted careers to become an award-winning vodka distiller.
How Swiss-designed wigs make their way from Bali to the big screen
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In Bali, Swiss expat Orlando Bassi makes handmade wigs for Hollywood and Broadway – so successfully that he can afford to pay two butlers.
Adopted illegally in Switzerland, tracing her roots in Colombia
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Born in Colombia, Nathalie Favre was adopted by Swiss parents when she was seven months old. She describes her return to her native country.
Going on a quest for a Swiss passport – as a Swiss national
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Born to Swiss parents, Cate Riley was adopted by an Australian family in the 1970s. She is on a journey to be recognised as a Swiss citizen.
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.
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.
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.
Emigration and pension benefits: how to save on taxes
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Taxes are due when withdrawing pension fund capital. Swiss citizens living abroad may, under certain circumstances, reclaim a portion of these taxes.
Swiss abroad health insurance – what are the options?
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Should you take out insurance abroad? Or with a health insurance company in Switzerland? Is that even possible? We explain.
Emigration: what steps should I take to leave Switzerland?
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This article, along with a practical checklist, will guide you step by step through the emigration process – supplemented with further helpful articles and links.
Bringing a pet to Switzerland requires meticulous preparation
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Whether visiting Switzerland on holiday or arriving to live permanently, entering the country with a pet involves a number of steps and formalities. Here’s what you need to know.
Five things to know about your Swiss bank account before emigrating
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Swiss Abroad frequently pay significantly higher fees at Swiss banks than their compatriots in Switzerland. You can find an overview of prices here.
Swiss state pensions abroad and what you need to know
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How can I claim my state pension abroad? Can I still make voluntary contributions from outside Switzerland? Answers to some FAQs.
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Moving abroad is an exciting but often challenging experience. Many emigrants experience different phases between culture shock and assimilation.
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
What factors should be taken into account when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad?
Should there be a limit to the passing on of Swiss citizenship? Or is the current practice too strict and it should still be possible to register after the age of 25?
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
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Swiss law enforcement and secret service order twice as many surveillance sweeps of the telecommunications network in 2024.
Greater transparency called for in Swiss use of medical imaging
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More and more scans, ultrasounds and MRIs: doctors are increasingly prescribing medical imaging tests, particularly in the French-speaking cantons.
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Swisswool, the largest Swiss wool processor, is not accepting any wool for the first time this spring. For many sheep farmers, the only option is to get rid of the wool.
Vulnerable tenants hit hardest by Zurich evictions
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More tenants are evicted in Zurich than anywhere else in Switzerland, which particularly affects older people on low incomes.
Switzerland postpones launch of emergency number for domestic violence victims
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The launch of the “142” emergency number, which aims to help victims of domestic violence in Switzerland, has been postponed to May 2026.
Swiss parcel bomber had links to military and intelligence services
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The 61-year-old man who admitted to being Patek Philippe’s blackmailer in Geneva had connections in the police and the army.
Sharp decline in IVF multiple births in Switzerland over two decades
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The proportion of multiple births following IVF is largely due to a change in legislation allowing more embryos to be stored.
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Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) are trying to replicate the brains of tiny fruit flies to create next-generation robots.
Toblerone invests in Bern and puts new emphasis on Swiss cross
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Since US multinational Mondelēz relocated part of Toblerone production to Slovakia in 2023, the company is no longer allowed to call its chocolate “Swiss made”.
New at Zurich Zoo: hovering tigers and feeding ropeways
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The tiger, lion and snow leopard have moved into their new home at Zurich Zoo. Their updated habitats are designed to allow them to behave as they would in the wild.
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The Swiss are participating in an open test of the new electronic identity card. This will eventually lead to a state-recognised e-ID.
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Read selected articles from across Switzerland and discuss current issues with people living in Switzerland and fellow Swiss Abroad in our debates.
Listen to science stories with our podcast: The Swiss Connection
Explore Science stories and research from Swiss universities, research institutions and businesses. Please listen and follow the Swiss Connection Podcast.
The latest articles for and about the Swiss Abroad
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Swiss Abroad ‘can be proud of the support they give their country’
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Marianne Jenni became the director of the Swiss foreign ministry’s consular division in January. After 100 days in office, she takes stock of the challenges.
Former Swiss Papal Guard reflects on Pope Francis’ legacy
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Didier Grandjean, a seminarian and former Swiss Guard, believes Francis’ papacy marked a milestone in the evolution of the Catholic Church.
Trump policies amplify banking headaches of Swiss Abroad
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PostFinance is closing accounts held by Swiss citizens in Cuba – an example of the banking headaches facing Swiss living abroad. The US president is also a factor.
Why Switzerland is an archaeological treasure trove
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No other country offers such comprehensive, freely available, high-resolution radar scans – a unique resource for science.
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Got a Swiss passport and dreaming of working abroad? We’ll show you how to get started in under 90 seconds – the countdown is on!
Lost Swiss citizenship a surprising reality for many
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Swiss citizenship is not always guaranteed for life. Many Swiss living abroad have lost it – often unwittingly, or due to historical rules.
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The number of Swiss people living abroad continues to increase. Five charts explain their characteristics and geographic distribution.
Number of Swiss around the world grew by 1.6% in 2024
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Last year, 13,300 Swiss citizens moved abroad, taking the total number of Swiss Abroad to 826,700 (+1.6%). Three-quarters have more than one nationality, new figures show.
Why more Jewish people in Switzerland are considering a move to Israel
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Anti-Semitism is not the main reason the Swiss community in Israel is growing. But more and more Jewish people are thinking about emigrating for this reason.
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The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad wants to improve the standing of the diaspora among the compatriots back home – not an easy task.
Swiss engineer in Antarctica prepares for tough winter months
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Operations engineer Thomas Schenk ensures the Neumayer III polar station makes it through winter. The challenges are enormous.
What the Swiss living in the US think of abortion restrictions
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Nearly 100 Swiss nationals living in the United States gave us their views on the tightening of abortion rights in several states.
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
