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The Swiss stories that made international headlines in 2018

From Donald Trump's visit to the WEF meeting in Davos to Swiss rules on how to cook lobsters, here are the stories from Switzerland that captured global attention over the last 12 months.

Published: 25 December 2018 08:56 CET
The Swiss stories that made international headlines in 2018
Images: AFP/Chris Gursky/BBC screengrab

1) Hundreds protest in Zurich over Trump's visit to Davos

In January, more than a thousand people protested in central Zurich against the planned arrival of US President Donald Trump in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum (WEF). It remains to be seen if the same will happen again when Trump returns to Davos next month.

2) Swiss cooks ordered to stun lobsters before boiling

At the start of this year, the Swiss government ordered an end to the common culinary practice of throwing flailing lobsters into boiling water, ruling that they must be knocked out before they are killed – part of a wider overhaul of Swiss animal protection laws.

3) Tearful Federer wins Australian Open for 20th Slam title

It's not a Grand Slam tournament if Roger Federer doesn't cry. Photo: AFP

Tennis legend Roger Federer has been an unofficial ambassador for Switzerland during his two decades on the men's tour but his 20th slam title in Melbourne in January was particularly special.

4) Swiss vote against plan to scrap compulsory TV licence fee

The Swiss referendum on whether to abolish obligatory TV and radio licence fees was one of several referendums covered with interest in other countries in 2018. In the end, over 70 percent of voters rejected the move which would have starved the Swiss public broadcaster and subsidised regional media outlets of much-needed funds.

5) David Goodall commits assisted suicide in Switzerland, aged 104

The story of Australian scientist David Goodall, who came to Switzerland in March to end his life using one of the country's assisted suicide services, was one of the most read on The Local this year.

6) Swiss stir up controversy with 'double eagle' gesture

Xherdan Shaqiri makes the “double eagle” gesture. Screengrab: BBC

When Swiss footballers Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka, both of whom have a Kosovo Albanian background, controversially celebrated their goals in a World Cup match against Serbia by making a hand gesture representing the “double eagle” of the Albanian flag, it captured global headlines and ignited debate in Switzerland about the issue of dual nationality.

7) One Swiss cyclist killed and one hospitalized in Tajikistan attack

Four cyclists were killed and three wounded in Tajikistan in a vicious attack on July 29th. The Tajik government attributed responsibility to the outlawed Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan, while Islamic State also claimed responsibility.

8) Twenty dead in WW2 vintage plane crash in Switzerland

The crash site of the Ju-52 on Piz Segnas. Photo: AFP

A Junker Ju-52 HB-HOT aircraft, built in Germany in 1939, crashed into the Piz Segnas mountain in Switzerland in August, killing all 20 people on board. Other Ju-52 planes operated by the same airline initially resumed flights soon after the August accident but have since been grounded over possible safety issues.

9) Muslim couple denied Swiss citizenship over handshake refusal

In August, the Swiss city of Lausanne blocked a Muslim couple's bid to become Swiss nationals over their refusal to shake hands with members of the opposite sex in a decision that was covered extensively by the international press.

10) Russian agents planned to spy on Swiss chemicals lab – report

When it emerged that two suspected Russian agents who were planning to spy on a chemical laboratory in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland had been arrested in the Netherlands, the news sparked a diplomatic row between Bern and Moscow.

11) Watch: US tourist's harrowing hang glider flight in Switzerland

The story of US tourist Chris Gursky's horrific hang glider flight near the Swiss tourist centre of Interlaken made international headlines for all the wrong reasons after the American's pilot during the tandem flight forgot to strap him in. What followed was two very long minutes of terror – all captured on video.

12) 'Switzerland is playing a very dangerous game on EU deal': foreign minister

The world watched on with interest this year as Switzerland and the European Union struggled to agree on how to move forward with a planned framework agreement on bilateral relations. Many saw the fraught negotiations, during which Brussels refused to back down on key demands, as an indication of how the situation might play out for the UK post-Brexit.

Read also: Only in Switzerland: Relive the 10 most Swiss stories of 2018

For members

SWISS CITIZENSHIP

Can I get Swiss citizenship and then move abroad?

Most people apply for Swiss naturalisation with the intent of remaining in the country. But what happens if you choose to live abroad right after receiving your passport?

Published: 13 May 2024 14:55 CEST
Updated: 13 May 2024 17:34 CEST
Can I get Swiss citizenship and then move abroad?

You may have a variety of reasons why you opt to move out of Switzerland after becoming a citizen.

Your decision may have to do with your work, education, family, or simply a desire to live elsewhere.

But is there a wait period before a newly-minted citizen can leav the country?

No, there isn’t.

There is no distinction between new citizens, those who had been naturalised years ago, or people who are Swiss from birth.

In the eyes of the law, they are all Swiss on equal footing.

This means you can leave the country and then return whenever you want — unless there is some compelling reason why you are not allowed to do so — for instance, if you are under criminal investigation.

In fact, an estimated 800,000 Swiss citizens — roughly 11 percent of the entire population — live abroad.

What’s more, you are not required to offer any explanations to any officials or authorities about why you choose to emigrate so quickly after becoming a Swiss citizen.

What do you have to do to leave the country?

Besides the usual steps you have to take when you relocate — like notifying your landlord and canceling your mail delivery — there are some official administrative procedures you are required to follow as well before you go.

One is de-registering from your commune of residence. 

Once you do so, you can submit the de-registration document to your health insurance company, so you can cancel your policy.

What about tax authorities?

Once you de-register from your commune, the tax office in your canton will be informed automatically of your departure.

While you will no longer be required to pay income tax in Switzerland if you are employed abroad, you will continue to be taxed on your wealth if, for instance, you own property or other assets in Switzerland.

Primary versus secondary

All of the above applies if you leave Switzerland for good.

But some people, like dual nationals for instance, may choose to spend part of the year in their countries of origin, and the other part in Switzerland.

If this is your plan, you should decide whether Switzerland or another country will be your primary legal residence (for tax purposes you can have only one primary residence, with the other counting as your secondary one).

Primary  — or tax residence — means that you live in Switzerland 30 days per year in a row while working, or 90 consecutive days if not employed. 

If you choose another country as your main base, then you don’t have to do much of anything, from the administrative perspective.

However, in case you pick Switzerland as your main residence, you are required to maintain your Swiss health insurance, be registered in a commune where you live and, of course pay income taxes here.

What if you move away from Switzerland completely but want to come back?

Regardless of whether you leave the country immediately after becoming a citizen, and even if you have been living abroad for many years, you can always, at any time, return to Switzerland.

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