Articles by this author
Swiss history: How the army attacked Liechtenstein three times — by mistake
Switzerland has been neutral for the past 500 years. But that didn’t stop it from “invading” its tiny neighbour three times in the past 41 years. How did this happen?
This summer, Switzerland’s hills are alive with the sound of… tourists
Peak travel season in the Swiss Alps usually falls between December and March, when tourists visit for the winter sports. But record-breaking heatwaves mean this year is different.
Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Monday
Switzerland introduces a national fine for littering; digitalised naturalisation system is now partially in effect; and more news in our roundup on Monday.
What are the rules for swimming in Swiss mountain lakes?
During heatwaves, there is nothing more refreshing than plunging into the (relatively) cool waters of Switzerland’s lakes. But is swimming in Alpine lakes allowed — and if so, under what conditions?
EXPLAINED: What is the reference letter you might need for Swiss citizenship?
When seeking Swiss naturalisation, you must provide certain documents. One of them is a reference letter.
Everything that changes in Switzerland in August 2026
From littering fines to Swiss National Day celebrations and digital naturalisation applications — these are the changes you can expect in Switzerland in August 2026.
Six big news stories from Switzerland you need to catch up on this week
Hard-right continues its efforts to stem immigration, and an app created by Italian immigrant helps with Swiss naturalisation questions — these are among the news that The Local reported this week. You can catch up on on everything in this weekly roundup.
'New reality': Swiss lawmakers warm up to easing of air conditioning rules
As you know by now, getting permission to purchase a fixed AC unit for a private home is a real headache in Switzerland. But some elected officials are now speaking in favour of these devices.
Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Friday
More politicians call for easier access to air conditioning; crowdfunding campaign raises money to pay fare-dodger fines; plus other Swiss news in our roundup this Friday.
The essential heatwave vocabulary you need to follow a Swiss weather forecast
If you are not yet fluent in any of the Swiss national languages, you may not know whether another heatwave is on the way this summer.
Why are Swiss wages so high?
Employees in Switzerland have higher net salaries than their counterparts elsewhere in Europe. But why exactly do they earn more?
Swiss airline under fire for its 'insensitive' heatwave ad campaign
Edelweiss airline, which connects Zurich with dozens of holiday destinations around the world, is being criticised for urging travellers to escape Switzerland’s heatwave on one of its planes.
Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Thursday
New rules about liquids at Zurich airport exclude some bottles; incidents of aggression on Swiss trains are rising; and more news in our roundup on Thursday.
Do foreign tourists have to pay the fines they get when visiting Switzerland?
Quite a few visitors from abroad get fined while Switzerland – most commonly for speeding or illegal parking. But do they have to pay?
Drought and fire warnings: Are there parts of Switzerland to avoid this summer?
Peak travel season is in full swing, but are there certain Swiss regions you should not visit this summer because of alerts in place?
How the severe drought will impact Swiss National Day celebrations this year
August 1st is traditionally celebrated with firework displays, bonfires, and barbecues. But this year the festivities will be scaled down due to continued drought and the risk of wildfires in most parts of Switzerland.
Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Wednesday
Government advises caution when buying fireworks abroad for the August 1st celebrations; the price of airplane tickets continues to climb in Switzerland; and more news in our Wednesday roundup.
Switzerland's populists up efforts to limit immigration after vote defeat
Even though its bid failed at the ballot box, the hard-right Swiss People’s Party (SVP) is not giving up its push to cap immigration to stop the country’s population from reaching the 10-million mark.
Why is Switzerland not building enough housing for its growing population?
Experts warn that Switzerland will continue to struggle with an inadequate supply of housing to meet the demands of an expanding population. These are the reasons why this is so.
New 'intense’ heatwave to hit Switzerland as wildfire warnings increase
After a few days of temperatures not exceeding 30C, Switzerland will experience another wave of extremely hot weather, accompamied by worsening drought and heightened wildfire risks.
Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesday
Switzerland is braced for another heatwave; Geneva’s housing shortage is worst in 15 years; plus more news in our roundup this Tuesday.
Switzerland considers reopening its old military bunkers
Faced with the deteriorating security situation in Europe, the Swiss army is examining the possibility of reactivating its former military bunkers.
How foreign residents in Switzerland face more difficulties than Swiss citizens
Many foreign nationals in Switzerland – either by birth or descent – don’t have the same standard of living as their Swiss-citizen counterparts, but their situation is changing for the better, a new study has revealed.