Living in Switzerland
All the tips, essential information and practical advice you need for living in Switzerland.
What you need to know about wildfire risks in Switzerland this summer
Wildfires typically occur after long periods of dry weather and during summer heatwaves, which often go hand-in-hand, as is the case currently in Switzerland.
'High danger': How bad is the drought situation in Switzerland right now?
Extreme heat and lack of rain have contributed to worsening drought across many Swiss regions, with some faring worse than others.
Checklist: Everything you need to do if you leave Switzerland for good
Whether you’re returning to your home country, seeking new adventures elsewhere or retiring abroad, leaving Switzerland means more Swiss bureaucracy and there are lots of things you’ll need to arrange before you leave.
What you should know about travel in Switzerland this summer
Whether you are driving, taking the train, or flying to your destination, there are certain things you need to know before you travel in Switzerland this summer.
Are Switzerland's lakes warm enough to swim in?
With summer’s rising temperatures, it seems a great time to take a refreshing plunge in one of Switzerland’s many lakes. Whether they’re warm enough to swim in depends on your preferences. Here’s what we can tell you.
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.
EXPLAINED: Which Swiss health insurance deductible makes most sense?
If you are a foreigner, understanding Switzerland’s health insurance system may not be easy. And figuring out which ‘out of pocket’ option you should choose can be a real brain twister.
How to keep your cool during Switzerland’s heatwaves
More extremely hot weather is forecast for the coming days in Switzerland. Is there a way to keep cool indoors in this kind of weather?
Which Swiss insurance policies do you really need to have?
Switzerland’s insurance providers offer dozens of various coverage options to the country’s residents. How can you know which ones you really need and which are redundant — or overlapping?
What financial help can foreign families get in Switzerland?
Who exactly is entitled to family benefits in Switzerland?
What’s open and what's closed in Switzerland on Pentecost Monday?
As Pentecost Monday is a public holiday in most Swiss cantons, many businesses there will be closed — with a few exceptions.
The roads in Switzerland to avoid over the Pentecost weekend
Switzerland's Federal Roads Office (ASTRA) is warning motorists about the heavy traffic expected on some of the country's roads during the Pentecost weekend, as well as a holiday in June.
8 things landlords in Switzerland can never ask of tenants
If you have been looking for an apartment for a long time and finally found one you like, you may be ready to fulfil any of your landlord’s conditions. But Swiss law places clear limits on what a landlord can demand of new and existing tenants.
Can you know how much your Swiss landlord charged previous tenants?
In Switzerland, when tenants move out, property owners can increase prices for the incoming renters. How can you find out how much previous tenants paid, and what can you do about unjustified increases?
'Be persistent': How foreigners in Switzerland can be confident speaking German
Many foreign nationals living in Switzerland have a basic proficiency in German, but are shy about speaking it with the locals. A language expert explains to The Local how they to overcome this particular inhibition.
EXPLAINED: Why do US citizens in Switzerland give up their American passports?
As the US election is only days away, it is interesting to look at the reasons that push many American citizens living abroad — including in Switzerland — to take a drastic and irrevocable step of renouncing their US citizenships.
The Swiss websites that can help you save money
You may think that ‘lower prices’ and ‘Switzerland’ should never be mentioned in the same sentence. But online resources can actually help you save on some purchases.
How much do Switzerland's work permits cost in 2026?
Fees for Swiss work permits are set by both federal and cantonal governments, but the exact amount is determined primarly by the cantonal migration authorities.
EXPLAINED: How to get an extension on your tax deadline in Switzerland
If you missed your tax deadline in Switzerland, can you ask for an extension. However, each canton has a different one.
Six big differences between Zurich and Geneva
Only 276 kilometres lie between Switzerland’s two largest cities, but distance is not the only thing that separates Switzerland's German and French-speaking hubs.
'Learn about your community': What you need to go through to become a Swiss citizen
Australian Hugh Chaffey-Millar came to Switzerland in 2013 and finally became a Swiss citizen last year. Here he shares tips with The Local to help foreigners in their long, and often bumpy, quest for integration and naturalisation.
The Swiss Spaghetti harvest: The most successful April Fools' Day prank of all time
On April 1st, 1957, the BBC broadcast a three-minute video about a family in southern Switzerland harvesting their annual spaghetti crop. More than 60 years later, it’s widely regarded as the most successful April Fools’ Day prank of all time.
What you can be fined for in Switzerland if you don't follow everyday rules
If you are a new arrival in Switzerland, or even if you have been living here for a while but are not familiar with local laws, these are the rules you need to follow to avoid being slapped with a fine.