European Union

Politics

Switzerland's relationship with EU needs an overhaul, says European Council

In a recent EU Council meeting, Member States called for the EU-Switzerland relationship to be updated to face modern threats and challenges, arguing the current framework risks "economic and political instability" in a changing world.

Immigration

TIMELINE: When would Switzerland’s population cap initiative be triggered?

If the hard-right’s anti-immigration bid is approved at the ballot box on June 14th, when would the Swiss government enact the initiative into new law?

European Union

Which airlines are banned in the European Union and why?

A total of 154 airlines are banned in the European Union due to safety concerns, after the 2026 update of the ‘EU air safety list’ announced by the European Commission this week.

European Union 2

Only three European countries meet deadline for new pay transparency rules

Only three countries have passed into national legislation new EU pay transparency rules by the June 7th deadline, MEPs and trade unions have denounced.

European Union 4

EU calls on nine European countries to scrap internal Schengen border checks

The European Commission on Tuesday asked nine countries in the Schengen area, including France, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Italy, Denmark and Norway to phase out internal border checks, which have been reinstated in some cases for years.

European Union

'A covert attack': EU lawmakers slam Swiss anti-immigration vote

So far, mosty Swiss opponents have spoken out against the far-right’s ‘No to 10 million’ initiative. But as the June 14th referendum date is getting closer, criticism is coming from abroad as well.

European Union

EES: 7,000 overstayers snared since launch of EU's new Schengen border checks

In the first six months of operation of the new EU digital border system, the Entry-Exit System (EES), almost 7,000 travellers were denied entry into Europe's border-free Schengen area because they stayed beyond their permitted time limit, a European Commission report has revealed.

Immigration

'Trend will continue': Number of people refused entry to Europe sees sharp rise

The number of people refused entry to the EU and Schengen area has risen dramatically, according to new statistics, while thousands of US, UK and Indian nationals have been found to be illegally present in EU/Schengen countries.

Politics

INTERVIEW: 'The EU is not essential for Switzerland's success'

The Swiss government and many economists believe the new package of agreements between Bern and Brussels – the so called ‘Bilaterals III’ - is crucial to Switzerland’s prosperity. But one expert thinks otherwise.

European Union 2

EU anti-waste law: New laptops sold in Europe must now use USB-C chargers

After standardising chargers for mobile phones, from Tuesday new computers sold in EU countries must also use the USB-C charging point, as the latest phase of EU anti-waste legislation comes into force.

Politics

Swiss lawmakers set to rule on controversial points of EU deal

In the coming weeks, debates on the new batch of Swiss-EU agreements will begin in the parliamentary committees. So what are the key points of the discussions?

European Union 1

How the European job market will change with new pay transparency rules

A new EU directive on pay transparency, which aims to ensure equality between men and women doing the same job, could transform the European job market by guaranteeing more rights to workers.

European Union 1

'Historic moment': European leaders react to Orban's defeat in Hungary

European leaders reacted on Monday to the defeat of Viktor Orban, who lost Sunday's parliamentary elections in Hungary. Many hailed the result as a victory for democracy and for Europe.

European Union 2

Shein, Temu: Why European consumers will pay more for cheap online orders

A landmark agreement has been reached by the European Parliament and Council on the reform of EU rules around customs that include new measures to tackle e-commerce from non-EU countries. What will it mean for consumers?

Politics

'Vastly exaggerated': Will the new EU treaty really harm Switzerland?

On March 2nd, Bern and Brussels signed a package of agreements intended to ‘deepen and harmonise' ties between the two sides. But right-wingers are sounding the alarm about the potentially disastrous consequences for Switzerland if the treaties are ratified. Do their warnings have any merit?

Immigration 6

What the mobility deal between the EU and India will mean for skilled workers

As part of the landmark trade agreement announced on January 27th, the EU and India adopted a ‘mobility framework’ that aims to make it easier for Indian students, researchers and young professionals to move to the EU.

Immigration

Why half of European immigrants don’t stay more than five years in Switzerland

Among the arguments the rightwing Swiss People's Party (SVP) uses to justify its anti-immigration stance is that foreigners remain in Switzerland indefinitely. But an expert - and official statistics - say this is not the case.

Immigration

Swiss economist warns of impact if '690,000' EU nationals claim residency

Thanks to an extension of the free movement of persons agreement between Bern and Brussels, more than half a million EU nationals could get a C permit after five years of residence – with no strings attached. One Swiss economist is highly critical of the move.