The Local (Switzerland)

The Local offers independent, daily news coverage from across Europe, giving you a glimpse into different cultures. Daily news plays a vital role in shaping our communities and highlighting the topics that matter to us. We aim to uncover the stories that reflect our identities and help us understand others, fostering connections and breaking down divisions. With a captivating mix of daily news, business insights, and engaging features, The Local has grown to become the largest English-language news network in Europe, attracting five million readers each month.

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Where are property prices rising the most in Switzerland?

2 weeks ago | thelocal.ch | Amy Brooke

It was 3.8 percent more expensive to buy a condominium – a commonhold apartment – in Switzerland in May than a year earlier, according to the latest asking price information compiled by online property platform ImmoScout 24, published on Friday. And detached single-family homes cost 5.8 percent more than in May 2024. A lack of supply is also fuelling demand, with prices rising faster in some parts of the country than others.
Glacier collapse in Switzerland: What we know so far

4 weeks ago | thelocal.ch | Amy Brooke

On Wednesday the Birch Glacier in Switzerland's southern Wallis region collapsed, sending tonnes of rock, ice and scree hurtling down the mountain slope and into the valley below. The barrage largely destroyed the village of Blatten, the highest in the valley, which had been home to 300 people and was evacuated last week due to the impending danger. How did it all start?
'Retiring here is unaffordable': Why foreign residents leave Switzerland

1 month ago | thelocal.ch | Ben McPartland

The number of foreigners who leave Switzerland after having lived here for a period of time is also quite high in comparison with other European nations, according to Eurostat migration statistics. Between 2013 and 2022, for instance, an average of 155,000 people immigrated to Switzerland each year. During the same period, about 90,000 foreign nationals left the country.
Tell us: What's the most painful part of Swiss bureaucracy?

1 month ago | thelocal.ch | Ben McPartland

Swiss bureaucracy can be notoriously painful for Swiss nationals, let alone foreign residents. So we want to hear about the most troublesome bureaucratic procedures in Switzerland. Is it taxes, driving licences, or renewing residency permits? What do you think really needs to improve? Please take a minute or two to share your experiences and tips with fellow readers. We'll publish the most useful responses in a future article. If the questionnaire does not appear below, please click here.
Switzerland suspends Deutsche Bahn trains due to chronic delays

1 month ago | thelocal.ch | Tom Pugh

As of Tuesday, April 29th, two Deutsche Bahn (DB) routes that had previously terminated further inside Switzerland are now set to end near the German-Swiss border. DB's EuroCity (EC) 7 service from Hamburg to Interlaken Ost, and the EC 9 service from Dortmund to Zurich, will now terminate in the city of Basel. The decision was made by Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) to mitigate the impact of chronically late-running DB trains on the Swiss network.
Swiss payment app Twint announces new features

Mar 14, 2025 | thelocal.ch | Ben McPartland

The Twint app, which was first introduced in Switzerland in 2014, has become hugely popular in the country with around 5 million users It is now accepted by 80 percent of retailers and supermarkets in Switzerland. In a recent statement Twint announced a series of upgrades aimed at making it simpler for customers but also for business owners. One of the new features will allow businesses to offer customers an “Express checkout” to customers when they shop online.
Which countries in Europe grant the most citizenships to foreign residents?

Mar 11, 2025 | thelocal.ch | Claudia Delpero |Europe Street

EU countries granted citizenship to 1,050,100 foreign residents in 2023, the latest data by Eurostat, the EU statistical office, revealed. This is an increase of over 6 percent compared to 2022 and does not consider the naturalisation of people living abroad, those who acquired citizenship by marriage or descent for instance. Spain was the country that granted the largest number of citizenships (240,200), followed by Italy (213,600), Germany (199,800) and France (97,300).
Have your say: Do you need to take a language course in Switzerland?

Jan 20, 2025 | thelocal.ch | Ben McPartland

Learning the local language in Switzerland will help with integration but it's also necessary to have a certain level if you want to apply for Swiss citizenship. Taking a language course might seem like a good idea. But is it worth it? Or are there better, cheaper ways in Switzerland to learn French, German or Italian? Sharer your views and any recommendations you have with other readers in the quick survey. If the survey doesn't appear below please click here.
Swiss canton tightens citizenship rules including language requirement

Jan 15, 2025 | thelocal.ch | Ben McPartland

Zug’s more restrictive citizenship law, which went into effect on January 1st, incudes three new requirements. Firstly, applicants must not have received social assistance in the last five years; previously, this period was three years. Secondly, candidates for naturalisation in the German-speaking canton must now have a B2 level for oral communication. Prior to the change, level B1 was sufficient — that is, if the German was sufficient for everyday situations.
Swiss ski resorts blasted over hidden prices of day passes

Jan 14, 2025 | thelocal.ch | Ben McPartland

Many ski resorts in Switzerland use a system of dynamic pricing meaning a ski pass can cost you less or more — depending on the time of day you buy it. The price depends on demand so the cost of day pass is not fixed. It will rise if its busy and decrease during quiet periods or bad weather. So during school holidays or if conditions are perfect for skiers then people can expect to pay more for a pass. Prices can fluctuate throughout the day.