In 2022, the number of Swiss citizens living abroad passed the 800,000 mark. Roughly 11% of the Swiss population lives abroad. Of the more than 800,000 Swiss abroad registered at the end of 2022, around 64% live in Europe.
The Swiss community around the globe
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August 1 special: how Swiss expats embrace “Swissness” abroad
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The documentary series “Up and Away” follows three Swiss families who have relocated to Rwanda, Spain, and Germany. How are they adapting to their new lives?
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Pro Patria’s badge for this year’s August 1 celebrations takes the form of a signpost, honouring the Swiss people’s favourite pastime.
Anniversary Trip to the Square of the Swiss Abroad
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The 100th Congress of the Swiss Abroad came to an end with a visit to the Swiss Abroad Square in Brunnen. A photo gallery.
The Council of the Swiss Abroad says yes to more democratic elections
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The delegates have approved a project for more direct elections. New electoral constituencies sparks debate, as does the decision to hold the Congress only every four years.
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To avoid spending money on expensive hotel rooms, more and more tourists in Lucerne are sleeping in their vehicles in public car parks. Is this legal?
‘We’ll take the time we need’ with EU negotiations, says top Swiss trade diplomat
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‘Time pressure is the number one trap in any negotiation,’ warns Helene Budliger Artieda regarding negotiations with the EU.
Will a drastic hike in Swiss inheritance tax lead to an exodus of billionaires?
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A proposal to levy an inheritance tax of 50% on the super-rich has provoked emigration threats from wealthy Swiss residents.
Switzerland’s 19 living ex-presidents: a world record
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Nineteen former Swiss presidents are still alive. What does this record say about the country’s political stability and leadership?
Attacks on Swiss politicians: rare, but not unheard of
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Physical attacks on Swiss politicians are rare. However, federal police registered an average of around one reported threat per day last year.
Swiss State Secretary warns against cutting development aid
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The head of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs criticised the plan to cut CHF500 million a year from development aid and use it for the army.
Majority of Swiss do not support an increase in defence spending
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According to an international poll, 54% of Swiss residents are opposed to more funding for defence, despite the war in Ukraine.
Swiss Abroad Congress wraps up in Brunnen, central Switzerland
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The 100th Congress of the Swiss Abroad ended on Saturday with a visit to the Swiss Abroad Square in Brunnen, canton Schwyz.
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Over the centuries, the Swiss have been tireless migrants, with successive waves spreading to every continent – for various reasons.
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The population of the Swiss Abroad is growing. For OSA director Ariane Rustichelli, these figures reflect an increasingly mobile society.
After 100 years, the Swiss Abroad Congress remains politically significant
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While the Congress has evolved over the years, its core mission remains the same: to unite the Swiss Abroad and raise awareness of their specific needs.
Ticino rules on short-term holiday rentals attract federal ire
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In southern canton Ticino, owners of converted barns can rent them to tourists for 90 days without permission – flying in the face of federal rules.
An internet scam and cocaine: a Swiss imprisoned abroad escapes house arrest
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It could be a Hollywood blockbuster: a 60-year-old Swiss woman arrested in Colombia accused of smuggling Cocaine. She claims to be a victim of fraud.
Swiss Abroad narrowly support capping health premiums
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Almost 51% of the Swiss Abroad voted in favour of the initiative to reduce premiums. On the other three issues, they voted in line with the rest of the country.
Why has the flag of Swiss canton Jura been travelling the world?
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On Mount Kilimanjaro, under palm trees or even under water: Jura residents have proudly unfurled their flag around the world.
Swiss politicians agree that healthcare system has to change – but how?
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Parliament believes the Swiss healthcare system needs to be reformed, but the solutions differ. We discuss the issue in our Let’s Talk programme.
Swiss duo who saved Edelweiss Village scoop up award in Canada
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Two Swiss citizens have been recognised for their campaign to save a group of historic chalets, known as Edelweiss Village, in the Rocky Mountains.
Social security takes centre stage in Swiss parliamentary debates
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Swiss parliamentarians are meeting for the summer session. On the agenda are a number of issues of direct concern to the Swiss Abroad.
The Swiss Abroad in Germany and Italy have very different concerns
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The Swiss Abroad in Italy discussed artificial intelligence and chocolate, while in northern Germany the focus was on reforming elections.
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.
Brazil’s foreign minister pays a visit to his Swiss roots
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Mauro Vieira recently visited the Swiss canton of Solothurn, from where his great-great-great-grandmother emigrated to Brazil in 1819.
