Valais offers an incredible work-life balance with international schools of high teaching quality and dynamic expat communities. Integration is the key to open the door to the realm of Swiss permits and citizenship later on. Learn the language, make local friends, participate in your canton’s cultural and economic life, show interest in the cantonal and […]
As of April 2, 2025, all Swiss and EU citizens, including children and babies, must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter the UK for short stays. This applies to tourists, business travelers, and those visiting family or friends. Who is exempt from the ETA? An ETA is not required for travelers who: Hold […]
When people married abroad but currently domiciled in Switzerland wish to divorce, the first question to ask is that of the competent authorities. As a general rule, it should be remembered that in the event of domicile in Switzerland, it is the Swiss authorities who will be competent to deal with the divorce proceeding. In […]
What is a CDL? The “carte de légitimation”, or Cdl, is an authorization to work delivered by the Department of Foreign Affairs to non-Swiss citizens employed by UN organizations and diplomatic staff based in Switzerland. This authorization allows the beneficiary to exercise their duties without a visa or work permit. Thus, Cdl holders are exempt […]
Obtaining Swiss citizenship is often perceived as the holy grail by foreigners, as the ordinary procedure is said to be one of the strictest in the world. In 2018, a change in the law made the requirements for naturalization more restrictive. Thus, an applicant must now have a settlement permit (C permit) and must have […]
Since the end of the post-Brexit transition measures in January 2021, UK citizens no longer hold the same residency rights as EU citizens. However, UK citizens who were living or working in Switzerland before the end of December 2020 benefit from the protection of acquired rights, allowing them to retain their residency rights under the […]
Switzerland is a prime destination for seasonal workers, especially during the winter months. Given the short duration of their stay, typically four to six months, seasonal workers are subject to temporary work permits. Here’s how it works for both European and non-European citizens. For European citizens Switzerland’s Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP) […]
Updates on Swiss inheritance law
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When a person is domiciled in Switzerland, the Swiss judicial or administrative authorities of the deceased’s last domicile are competent to settle the inheritance and rule on inheritance disputes, with the exception of buildings located abroad, which are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction claimed by the foreign state in which they are located. Swiss authorities […]
Swiss law contains no provision defining and addressing specifically bonuses. According to its characteristics, a bonus will be considered either as a gratification (art. 322d CO) or as part of the salary of the employee (art. 322 CO). The distinction between gratification and salary is crucial in Swiss employment law as the rules governing gratifications […]
Legal principles governing non-competition clauses Conditions According to art. 340 I CO, an employee with capacity to act may give the employer a written undertaking to refrain from engaging in any activity that competes with the employer once the employment relationship has ended and in particular to refrain from running a rival business for his […]
Following the acceptance of the initiative “Against Mass Immigration” (February 2014), the Swiss Parliament adopted the revision of the law on Foreigners and Integration (LEI), mainly aiming at implementing these newly adopted political policies. The priority process aims to give an advantage to domestic job seekers registered at a regional employment agency and therefore reduce […]
International commercial contracts governed by Swiss law As a general rule, parties to international contracts are free to choose the law governing their contract. Swiss law also provides that contracts are governed by the law chosen by the parties. In practice, particularly in the context of international arbitration, Swiss law is one of the most […]