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THE WEEK IN SWITZERLAND

Five big news stories from Switzerland you need to know about this week

Entry visa rules for third country nationals (including the Brits), and issues to be voted on in Swiss referendums, are among the news The Local reported this week. You can catch up on everything in this weekly roundup.

A British passport
You won't have to give up your previous passport under new rules. Photo by Ethan Wilkinson on Unsplash

Entry visas for third-country nationals

If you are not a citizen of the European Union country, or else Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein (EFTA), you may like to work in Switzerland nevertheless.

However, in contrast to people from the EU/EFTA nations, who can come to Switzerland freely and obtain a work permit easily, you will have more obstacles and administrative procedures to overcome before being approved for a Swiss permit.

READ ALSO: How can non-EU nationals apply for a Swiss work visa? 

Key issues at stake in 2024 referendums

Voters in Switzerland will go to the polls four times in 2024.

In the first round, to be held on March 3rd, voters will weigh in on two retirement-related reforms.

One is a proposal to add an additional, 13th, monthly payout to the state old-age pension (AHV/AVS).

The other one is calling for raising the retirement age for men and women to 66, from the current 65 for men and 64 for women (the latter to go up to 65 in 2025).

READ ALSO: What the Swiss will vote on in 2024 

Swiss banks are closing some accounts — without revealing reasons for doing so

A number of banks in Switzerland have been summarily (and arbitrarily) ‘firing’ some clients — all of them in good standing — without giving them any explanation for this action.

When questioned about this practice, the financial institutions merely invoked their “contractual right” to “terminate” their relationships with existing clients, without having to justify this move.

READ ALSO: Can your Swiss bank close your account without telling you why?

British citizens can benefit from a separate Swiss permit quota

After the United Kingdom ‘Brexited’ from the EU in January 2020, UK nationals no longer have the same free access to Switzerland’s labour market as before.

However, Swiss government has set 3,500 permits especially for the Brits; there is, however, a special procedure to follow — and strict conditions to meet as well — to obtain a work permit under the quota.

READ ALSO: How UK citizens can obtain a Swiss work permit set aside for Brits

Geneva bans outdoor smoking — but to no avail

Six months after the canton had introduced a ban on smoking within nine metres of certain public places — including public transport stops — many residents have been spotted puffing away at bus and tram stations.

Authorities blame this on the delay on the part of municipalities in putting up the signs informing the public about the new rule, as well as uncertainties about how to uniformly implement the law throughout the canton.

READ ALSO: What’s happening with Geneva’s ban on outdoor smoking?

And in case you are wondering where to eat out this weekend (or any other time), this guide will let you know where to find the best food:

READ ALSO: Where are the ‘best’ restaurants in Switzerland?

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For members

THE WEEK IN SWITZERLAND

Six big news stories from Switzerland you need to know about this week

Attack on a US tourist in Lausanne and criticism of English courses in Swiss schools are among the news The Local reported this week. You can catch up on everything in this weekly roundup.

Six big news stories from Switzerland you need to know about this week

Criticism against English lessons in elementary schools

Switzerland’s Liberal-Radical party (FDP) have come up with a radical proposal to scrap English and French lessons for primary school children, arguing they do more harm than good.

The party’s claim is that children at that age (typically between eight and 11) need to master their own mother tongue as a priority and learning other languages was holding them back from doing this — especially given Switzerland’s recent poor scores in the global PISA rankings for language and reading.
 
READ ALSO: Why is there a move for Swiss schools to abandon ‘useless’ English lessons?

US tourist in Lausanne stabbed with a knife

Even though crime rate in Lausanne is low, and it, along with other Swiss cities, is comparably safe, a woman visiting from the United States was stabbed in a shoulder during an unsuccessful attempt to steal her bag.

Even though the passersby and local shopkeepers tries to intercept the attacker, he managed to escape.

He was, however, caught and arrested shortly thereafter. 

Police said the perpetrator was known for prior criminal acts.

READ ALSO: American tourist ‘violently attacked’ in Lausanne 

Swiss TV license fee to become cheaper

The current fee (also referred to as ‘tax’) of 335 francs a year per household will drop to 312 francs by 2027, and then to 300 francs from 2029.

The main goal of this reduction is to alleviate the financial burden that the license fee places on many households and businesses alike.

This tax has been dropping gradually over the years, from the all-time high of 451 francs.

READ ALSO: Switzerland to lower the obligatory TV license fee 

Swiss interest rates drop, signalling lower rents

After slashing its interest rates in March, Swiss National Bank again lowered the rate by quarter percent, bringing it down to 1.25 percent.
 
This means that inflation rate has fallen to an acceptable level, and it is also a positive sign for many tenants in Switzerland who will see their rents decline as a result of the cut in interest rates.

Consumers in general will also be able to benefit in terms of lower interest on mortgages and other loans.

READ ALSO: Swiss central bank cuts rate for second straight time 

Switzerland ranked as Europe’s most competitive economy

In its new annual ranking, the IMD Business Institute named Switzerland Europe’s top nation, and the world’s second-best, in terms of competitiveness. 

It is in the first place in terms of government efficiency, public finance and institutional organisation.

Additionally,it is at the top for its infrastructure, particularly for health services, environment, as well as educational system.

Switzerland also scores relatively high for productivity and efficiency, as well as infrastructure for scientific research.

And also:

If you are wondering how Switzerland’s employment laws compare to workers’ rights in the United States —  the two are, literally and figuratively worlds apart.

They differ in terms of annual paid leave, health benefits. and many other benefits as well.
 
You can find out more information about it here:
 
READ ALSO: Six ways working in Switzerland is better than in the US 
 

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