Over 800,000 Swiss nationals live abroad. That’s around 11% of people who hold a Swiss passport. And the number is growing. In terms of population, if the Swiss Abroad made up a canton, it would be the fourth-largest canton in Switzerland.
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Thousands of emigrants’ descendants in Argentina demand Swiss citizenship
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Even those born abroad inherit Swiss citizenship. However, thousands of descendants of Swiss nationals who emigrated have lost it. A petition now wants to change this.
Aussie adoptee gains Swiss citizenship at 54 thanks to old envelope
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For years, the authorities denied her Swiss citizenship – wrongly. Cate Riley has finally won back her Swiss citizenship.
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The number of Swiss people living abroad continues to increase, and many have more than one passport. Five charts explain their characteristics and geographic distribution.
How a Swiss musician is lending a hand to people in Ukraine
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Originally travelling to Ukraine because of the Maidan protests, Bänz Margot has been setting up an aid organisation there since the beginning of the Russian invasion.
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.
How Swiss-designed wigs make their way from Bali to the big screen
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In Bali, Swiss expat Orlando Bassi makes handmade wigs for Hollywood and Broadway – so successfully that he can afford to pay two butlers.
Adopted illegally in Switzerland, tracing her roots in Colombia
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Born in Colombia, Nathalie Favre was adopted by Swiss parents when she was seven months old. She describes her return to her native country.
Going on a quest for a Swiss passport – as a Swiss national
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Born to Swiss parents, Cate Riley was adopted by an Australian family in the 1970s. She is on a journey to be recognised as a Swiss citizen.
Swiss abroad health insurance – what are the options?
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Should you take out insurance abroad? Or with a health insurance company in Switzerland? Is that even possible? We explain.
Emigration: what steps should I take to leave Switzerland?
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This article, along with a practical checklist, will guide you step by step through the emigration process – supplemented with further helpful articles and links.
Emigrating with family: what to do if a child doesn’t want to move
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New surroundings, new school, new friends – emigration can be a daunting prospect for children. Two experts share their tips.
Tax information when emigrating from Switzerland: what you need to know
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Tax liability in Switzerland does not always end at the country’s border – here’s what you should bear in mind when moving abroad.
Five things to know about your Swiss bank account before emigrating
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Swiss Abroad frequently pay significantly higher fees at Swiss banks than their compatriots in Switzerland. You can find an overview of prices here.
Swiss state pensions abroad and what you need to know
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How can I claim my state pension abroad? Can I still make voluntary contributions from outside Switzerland? Answers to some FAQs.
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Moving abroad is an exciting but often challenging experience. Many emigrants experience different phases between culture shock and assimilation.
Voting from abroad: How to register for Swiss elections
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Switzerland grants voting rights to its citizens living abroad. If you want to exercise your voting rights, you must first get on the electoral register.
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The latest articles for and about the Swiss Abroad
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The Swiss Alps, a new Eldorado for real estate developers
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The Swiss Alps are attracting a growing number of investors, prepared to pump hundreds of millions of francs into vast tourist complexes. But at what cost?
Could Swiss insurers cancel policies, as is happening in California?
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In California, where fire warnings now affect 13 million people, wildfires have become a constant threat, exacerbated by climate change. Over the past five years, nearly 3 million fire insurance policies have been cancelled as insurers deem the risks too frequent and severe.
Home care: good for patients and good for the wallet
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Doctors and nurses from two Zurich hospitals are visiting patients at home – a new way of working that could serve as a treatment model for other parts of Switzerland.
Cultural asset or unnecessary din? Bell ringing polarises opinion
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In Hochdorf, in central Switzerland, the church bell now rings for a shorter duration, though other parishes continue to stick to tradition.
Thousands of emigrants’ descendants in Argentina demand Swiss citizenship
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Even those born abroad inherit Swiss citizenship. However, thousands of descendants of Swiss nationals who emigrated have lost it. A petition now wants to change this.
Aussie adoptee gains Swiss citizenship at 54 thanks to old envelope
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For years, the authorities denied her Swiss citizenship – wrongly. Cate Riley has finally won back her Swiss citizenship.
Swiss visionary transforms South American luxury watch market
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A portrait of an entrepreneur who straddles the disparate worlds of luxury watchmaking and farming in Switzerland and South America.
Swiss chef Luc Liebster blends cultures with unique culinary creations
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Luc Liebster has trained in some of the finest kitchens. At 26, he is now opening his own restaurant in Mexico City, where food is revered. This is his story.
Twenty years after the tsunami: ‘It feels like yesterday’
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Two decades have passed since Thailand’s coast was devastated by towering waves. While little physical evidence remains, the disaster is far from forgotten. Seven people from Thailand share their painful memories.
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Researcher Daniela Jopp explores in a new study how Swiss centenarians live and what they can teach us about ageing well.
Could digital collection of signatures lead to more initiatives in Switzerland?
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Calls for digital collection of signatures for popular initiatives and referendums, so-called “e-collecting”, have grown louder following a forged signatures scandal in Switzerland.
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Swiss special police units were established 50 years ago, thanks to the initiative of a police commander from canton Aargau.
How a Swiss musician is lending a hand to people in Ukraine
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Originally travelling to Ukraine because of the Maidan protests, Bänz Margot has been setting up an aid organisation there since the beginning of the Russian invasion.
Ariane Rustichelli: ‘The interests of the Swiss Abroad got more attention before the pandemic’
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After ten years at the helm of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad, Ariane Rustichelli is standing down. In an interview, she discusses the changes and challenges ahead.
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Most Swiss families have a coat of arms. This may come as a surprise abroad, where heraldry is often the preserve of nobility.
