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.
At SWI swissinfo.ch you will find everything that concerns the Swiss Abroad in one place.
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Australian descendants of Swiss emigrants untangle their origins
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Follow Juliette Buchanan as she uncovers her Swiss roots in Verzasca Valley and reconnects with long-lost relatives.
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The first SwissCommunity Days mark the start of a new legislative period for the Council of the Swiss Abroad. E-voting is at the heart of the demands.
A spark of hope for Swiss descendants without a Swiss passport
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Descendants of Swiss emigrants who have lost their Swiss passport are fighting a desperate battle to reclaim their citizenship. Now they are pinning their hopes on a little-known law.
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The number of Swiss people living abroad continues to increase. Five charts explain their characteristics and geographic distribution.
With Isabella Kocum, all that glitters really is gold
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Isabella Kocum works in London as a gilder at the National Gallery and is an artist in her own right. But originally she had other plans.
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Swiss researcher Achille Capelli has found an open-air laboratory in Alaska. He is studying the polar ice shelf and is worried to see the impact of climate change.
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.
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Living outside Switzerland doesn’t mean losing your right to vote. Yet only a small percentage of Swiss citizens living abroad actually cast their ballots. Here’s a short guide on how to vote from abroad.
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.
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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!
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.
What advice would you give to other part-time Swiss Abroad?
Are you one among a growing number of Swiss people who live part of the year in Switzerland and part abroad? What lessons have you learned from this lifestyle, what pitfalls should be avoided, what are the best tips?
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
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?
Accidents involving foreign guests are expensive for municipalities
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Switzerland is a mecca for high-risk sports. If foreign guests leave without having paid rescue and hospital costs, in the worst-case scenario the costs are borne by municipalities.
Is Donald Trump’s claim that 72% of Swiss prisoners are foreigners correct?
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At the recent UN General Assembly, US President Donald Trump claimed that 72% of prisoners in Switzerland are foreign. While the figure is accurate, the way Trump used it is misleading.
The Gugler invasion of 1375: the mystery of the vanished villages
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The Gugler invaded the Swiss Plateau 650 years ago and caused widespread destruction – but they did not achieve their goal.
Anti-Semitism in Switzerland: ‘You’re insulted but you’re not supposed to feel it’
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Many Swiss Jews do not want to talk publicly about anti-Semitism for fear of insults, threats or attacks. Others are now breaking their silence.
How Switzerland deals with potentially problematic first names
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In Germany, a newborn is to be given the name Yahya Sinwar – like the former Hamas leader. Would this be possible in Switzerland?
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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 hiking trails – unique but under pressure
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The federal law on hiking trails came into force exactly 40 years ago. But that’s not the only thing that makes them unique.
Organisation of the Swiss Abroad hit by surprise departure
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After just nine months in the job Lukas Weber will step down as director of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) at the end of the year.
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What if the Swiss Abroad had their own elected representatives in federal parliament, like in France or Italy? The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad is working on this.
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The Swiss Abroad were considerably more in favour of an electronic ID than voters in Switzerland. More surprisingly, they also overwhelmingly approved the end of rental tax.
September 28, 2025 vote: the result from across Switzerland
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The Swiss have voted: use our interactive map to explore the detailed results of Sunday’s ballots on environmental responsibility.
Switzerland’s strangest votes: from women’s rights to cows’ horns
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In the lead-up to these decisions, we’ve taken a look back at some of the most unusual and sometimes bizarre referendums ever held in Switzerland.
The Swiss Abroad have less trust in Swiss politics, says poll
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A major SBC opinion poll shows that satisfaction is high among the Swiss Abroad but there is criticism regarding politics and the welfare state.
The Swiss woman who fled the Nazis and changed Brazilian photojournalism
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A pioneer of photojournalism, Hildegard Rosenthal’s work reveals a São Paulo in transformation – and a legacy that continues to inspire.
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The Swiss are worried about the return of the law of the strongest and want to see a firmer stance taken by the authorities, according to an SBC opinion poll.
Swiss-Kenyan filmmaker sets lo-fi love story in hi-tech future
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Damien Hauser’s ‘Memory of Princess Mumbi’ awed audiences at the Venice Film Festival by exploring the ethical and creative tensions of using AI in cinema.
Switzerland’s mood barometer reveals high satisfaction but cracks in unity
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The world has become gloomier lately. But one thing has remained remarkably constant: the Swiss population’s satisfaction with their lives.
What does it mean to you as a Swiss Abroad to take part in the Swiss Wrestling and Alpine Festival?
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We asked three Swiss wrestlers from North America what taking part in the Swiss Wrestling and Alpine Festival means to them.
Between two worlds: Thomas Badat, a Canadian wrestler with a Swiss heart
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Swiss-Canadian wrestler Thomas Badat returns to Switzerland for his third Schwingfest. What does it mean to be a Schwinger from the Swiss Abroad community?
Right-wing Swiss party exceeds 30% for first time, says poll
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Following its victory in the 2023 federal elections, the Swiss People’s Party has set a record with 30.4% of voting intention.
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What if the Swiss Abroad had their own elected representatives in federal parliament, like in France or Italy? The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad is working on this.
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The Swiss Abroad were considerably more in favour of an electronic ID than voters in Switzerland. More surprisingly, they also overwhelmingly approved the end of rental tax.
E-ID vote: political scientist sees public mistrust in Swiss authorities
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Swiss voters have approved e-ID, but mistrust of the state is evident. Lukas Golder from research institute gfs.bern analyses the result.
September 28, 2025 vote: the result from across Switzerland
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The Swiss have voted: use our interactive map to explore the detailed results of Sunday’s ballots on environmental responsibility.
Switzerland votes on introducing electronic ID and abolishing rental tax
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Swiss citizens vote on the introduction of an electronic proof of identity. Pollsters expect a yes. The second issue to be voted on is the abolition of the rental tax for homeowners.
Two Swiss parties face dilemma on agreements with EU
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The Centre Party and the Radical-Liberal Party are struggling to define their stance on new Swiss-EU agreements. Much is at stake for both, our analysis explains.
Surgery for trans adolescents: the laws in Switzerland
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Swiss politicians are discussing a ban on gender reassignment surgery for under-18s. We explain what rights parents and children have.
