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.
At SWI swissinfo.ch you will find everything that concerns the Swiss Abroad in one place.
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Survey: Swiss voters doubt politicians’ abilities in global crises
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Swiss voters question politicians’ crisis readiness and favor more democratic security cooperation.
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The summer of 2026 was the hottest in Switzerland since records began, surpassing even the record-breaking summer of 2003.
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Banned, yet still available: every year, thousands of semi-automatic weapons are legally acquired in Switzerland through special permits.
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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No agreement has been reached with Berlin and Washington. The delivery of Patriot systems to Switzerland will be delayed further and cost more.
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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.
Asylum applications in Switzerland fell in first half of 2026
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The number of asylum applications in the EU, as well as in Norway and Switzerland, fell again in the first half of this year.
Why Switzerland is still not ready to face heatwaves
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Several Swiss cities have strengthened their measures against heatwaves. However, a nationwide strategy is still lacking.
Swiss government criticised for F-35 price failings
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The failure to adhere to the fixed price agreed for the procurement of the new F-35 fighter jets is linked to administrative failings, says a report.
Asylum: major obstacles to family reunification in Switzerland
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Significant “bureaucratic obstacles” are complicating family reunification in the context of asylum in Switzerland, says the Swiss Observatory on Asylum and Foreigners (ODAE-Switzerland).
Swiss Centre Party eyes another seat in government as 2027 elections loom
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The Swiss Centre Party has launched its campaign for the 2027 elections, setting out an ambition to secure a second seat on the Federal Council.
Petition launched to stop outsourcing of Swiss Post, Swisscom jobs
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A public-sector union is launching a petition to halt the outsourcing of jobs abroad by Swiss Post and Swisscom on the grounds they supply systemically important services.
Former Swiss president Viola Amherd to attend King Harald’s funeral
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Former defence minister Viola Amherd will attend the funeral of King Harald V of Norway as Switzerland’s official representative.
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.
Russia sanctions at heart of Swiss neutrality vote
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Swiss voters will decide on a neutrality initiative on September 27. But how far do Switzerland’s sanctions against Russia go, and how effectively are they enforced?
‘Neutrality alone does not protect Switzerland against aggression’
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Is neutrality a principle to preserve or a policy that should adapt? We debated Switzerland’s neutrality initiative, which goes before voters on September 27, on Let’s Talk.
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.
Strict or flexible neutrality? The Swiss head to the polls
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How should Switzerland interpret its neutrality in the future? Swiss voters will decide on that question on September 27.
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The neutrality initiative, up for vote on September 27, would tie the government’s hands on economic sanctions. But do such measures really violate Swiss neutrality?
Should Swiss neutrality be stricter? Voters will decide
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On September 27, Swiss voters will decide on whether or not to enshrine a stricter definition of neutrality into the country’s constitution.
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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.
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A wry look at some urban legends, such as the ban on flushing the loo at night, about a people who love their peace and quiet.
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From an obelisk to a running race: one of the greatest victories in Swiss history has left some rather unexpected traces.
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The summer of 2026 was the hottest in Switzerland since records began, surpassing even the record-breaking summer of 2003.
Why Switzerland is still not ready to face heatwaves
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Several Swiss cities have strengthened their measures against heatwaves. However, a nationwide strategy is still lacking.
From grey skies to heatwaves: climate drives Swiss abroad
This content was published on
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.
Switzerland has opted out of EU Copernicus scheme – what it means
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Bern has rejected participation in the EU’s Copernicus programme, despite growing demand for climate and environmental data.
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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.
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.
Is Zurich forcing Christian homes to tolerate assisted suicide?
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Christian care homes see their autonomy and freedom of religion as being under threat as a result of the vote on assisted suicide in Zurich.
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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.
Swiss farmers prepare for droughts with major irrigation project
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Drought is putting Swiss farmers under pressure, prompting authorities to invest in a 90km irrigation network serving nearly 200 farms.
Russia sanctions at heart of Swiss neutrality vote
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Swiss voters will decide on a neutrality initiative on September 27. But how far do Switzerland’s sanctions against Russia go, and how effectively are they enforced?
‘Neutrality alone does not protect Switzerland against aggression’
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Is neutrality a principle to preserve or a policy that should adapt? We debated Switzerland’s neutrality initiative, which goes before voters on September 27, on Let’s Talk.
Why Alpine debris flows are becoming more intense and unpredictable
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Swissinfo spoke to Markus Stoffel, head of the new Chair of Mountain Hazard Research at the University of Geneva, about how the climate crisis is reshaping debris flows and other Alpine hazards.
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Local officials and experts stress that the Weisshorn glacier is being closely monitored and poses no immediate threat to residents.
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.
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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.
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.
